List of Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations exemption orders
Updated 18 July 2023
Current exemption applications
The applications currently being considered for exemption are listed on GOV.UK.
Exemption orders for heavy rail vehicles
The introduction of European legislation in 2008 means that heavy rail vehicles (trains used on Network Rail infrastructure) are no longer subject to RVAR.
However, a number of heavy rail vehicles introduced under the RVAR regime between January 1999 and August 2006 were granted exemption orders and these are listed below alphabetically by the name of the vehicle operator at the time (which may have since changed).
Where available, a link to the associated explanatory memoranda, which include details on the reasons why exemptions are necessary, consultation and other related information, has also been included.
See Accessible rail transport for more information about what is happening to these exemptions.
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Anglia Railways Class 170/2 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1931)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 1770/2000
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Central Trains Class 170/5 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1932)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 1441/2000
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (The Chiltern Railway Company Limited Class 168/1 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/1349)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (The Chiltern Railway Company Limited Class 168/1 Vehicles) Exemption (No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2397)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (The Chiltern Railway Company Limited Class 168/1 Vehicles) Exemption (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/3218)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Connex South Eastern Class 375 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2050)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Connex South Eastern Class 375 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/250)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (CrossCountry Trains Class 220 and Class 221) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/955)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (C2C Class 357/0 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3002)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/933)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/770)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/847)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2327)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/847)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/3187)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/847
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3954)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Gatwick Express Class 460 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2150)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Great Eastern Railway Class 360 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1562)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Great Western Trains Company Class 180 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/1747)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Heathrow Express Class 360/2) Exemption Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/86)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Heathrow Express Class 360/2) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1404)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Hull Trains Class 170/3) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1410)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Hull Trains Class 222) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2180)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (LTS Rail Class 357 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1448)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2000/182
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (LTS Rail Class 357 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/182)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/3955
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Mainline Class 170/1 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/499)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Mainline Class 222 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/954)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (North Western Trains Class 175/0 and Class 175/1 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/524)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (North Western Trains Class 175/0 and Class 175/1 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3434)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (ScotRail Class 170/4 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/2547)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2000/1769
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (ScotRail Class 170/4 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/1769)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/3953
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (ScotRail Class 334 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/277)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Central Class 375/3 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1617)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Central Class 377/4) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3198)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Eastern Trains Class 376 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1302)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 170/3 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2953)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 170/3 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/3217)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 444 and Class 450 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1704)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 444 and Class 450 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3139)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/2404)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/848
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2398)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/848
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/848)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2002/656
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1762)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2149)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Virgin West Coast Class 390 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1699)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2005/329
- Explanatory Memorandum 2005 No. 329
Exemption orders for light rail vehicles
The exemption orders listed on this page authorise the use of specified rail vehicles, or all rail vehicles operated on a particular network (such as a heritage or tourist network), even though they do not comply with one or more requirements of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010.
Where available, a link to the associated explanatory memoranda, which include details on the reasons why exemptions are necessary, consultation and other related information, has also been included.
A number of exemption orders were also granted for heavy rail vehicles (trains) which are now subject to a separate, European-wide, accessibility regime.
Please see Accessible rail transport for more information about what is happening to these exemptions.
The following exemption orders are listed alphabetically by rail operator name. Exemption orders are also listed by expiry date.
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/925)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1631)
- Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) (amendment) Exemption Order 2016 (PDF, 373KB)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (non-interoperable rail system) (B92 and B2007 vehicles) exemption (miscellaneous provisions) order 2018 (PDF, 1MB)
- Explanatory note (PDF, 242KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Docklands Light Railway) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Blackpool Tramway) Exemption Order 2014
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Bristol Harbour Railway Vehicle Number DB978121) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2408)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Cairngorm Funicular Railway) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/657) and Explanatory Memorandum
-
The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR4000 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/6)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/3952
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR4000 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3001)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR4000 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/395)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Croydon Tramlink) 2020 Exemption Order and explanatory note
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Croydon Tramlink) (Amendment) Exemption Order 2021 (PDF, 114KB)
- Explanatory note (PDF, 114KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (East Hayling Light Railway Vehicles) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/285)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Festiniog Railway Company Vehicle Number 122) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1687)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Furness Railway Trust North London Coach) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1436)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Isle of Wight Railway LCDR No 2515 Vehicle) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1694)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground Circle, District and Hammersmith & City Lines S7 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/105)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (non-interoperable rail system)(London Underground Jubilee Line 96TS Vehicles Exemption Order 2018) (PDF, 333KB)
- Explanatory note (PDF, 358KB)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (London Underground Metropolitan Line S8 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/435)
- Explanatory Memorandum 2010 No. 435
- partially revoked and replaced by S.I. 2013/1931
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (London Underground Metropolitan Line S8 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/70)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground Northern Line 95TS Vehicles) Exemption Order 2015
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- Explanatory Memorandum 2011 No. 70
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2013/1931
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground S7 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2018 (PDF, 3.5 MB)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground S8 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2018 (PDF, 2MB)
- Combined S7 and S8 explanatory note (PDF, 131KB)
- Explanatory note (PDF, 321KB)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (London Underground Victoria Line 09TS Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2969)
- Explanatory Memorandum 2008 No. 2969
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2013/3318
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Middleton Railway Drewry Car) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1188)
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/520)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/785
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/586)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/785
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) (Exemption No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1256)
- revoked and replaced by S.I. 2001/785
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Networks) Exemption Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/904)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Seaton Tramway Tramcars 9, 10 and 11) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1205)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Serco Metrolink T68A Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/2932)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Summerlee Tramcar No. 392) Exemption Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2873)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Tyne and Wear Metro Metrocar) Exemption Order 2019 (PDF, 119KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Tyne and Wear Metro Specialist Metrocar) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground) Exemption (miscellaneous provisions) Order 2017
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground) Exemption Order 2019 (PDF, 303KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (London Underground Bakerloo Line 72 Tube Stock) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Piccadilly Line) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Waterloo & City Line) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
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The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Glasgow Subway) Exemption Order 2019 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Glasgow Subway) (Amendment) Exemption Order 2022 (PDF, 85KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Glasgow Subway) (Amendment) Exemption Order 2022 Explanatory Note (PDF, 153KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Glasgow Subway) Exemption Order 2023 (PDF, 1.01 MB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Glasgow Subway) Explanatory Note 2023 (PDF, 134 KB)
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non Interoperable Rail System) Replica Pickering Brake Composite Coach Exemption Order 2021 and Explanatory Note
- The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) (Southend Pier Railway) Exemption Order 2022 (PDF, 152KB)
Contact the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Team
To comment on exemptions from RVAR or find out further information please contact the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Team.
Rail Vehicle Accessibility Team