It's usually a given that there's a small allowance between the stated height and the actual, and therefore a 13' lorry can safely pass under a 13' bridge; but a wise man proceeds with caution.
My own lorry being a rigid, the maximum height does not vary; the problem usually comes when drivers of artics fail to check the height of the fiftth wheel and compensate accordingly. Another one is the classic case of familiarity breeding contempt; there have been several instances of bus drivers simply forgetting that they're driving a double-decker rather than a single-decker. Simply re-surfacing the road, or going through a tight bridge empty rather than laden, can also have disastrous consequences.
It does of course pay to check your height before setting out. I've just been issued with a new truck; the stated height in the cab ( a legal requirement) was 12'5" but it simply didn't look right so I got the tape measure out. Sure enough it was 12'6"; I'm glad I did check it because that could easily have been the difference between a normal day and a disastrous one.
Last edited by: Harleyman on Wed 8 May 13 at 11:09
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Low Bridge! 
Low Bridge! 
