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UNECE Base Categories:
Some categories have further sub classes.
Vehicles in the table listed are examples of the vehicle in that category.
|
# |
Category |
Description |
|
2.1 |
L |
Motor vehicles with less than four wheels [but does include light four-wheelers] |
|
2.1.1 |
L1 |
A two-wheeled vehicles with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine not exceeding 50 cm³ and whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h. |
|
2.1.2 |
L2 |
A three-wheeled vehicle of any wheel arrangement with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine not exceveding 50 cm³ and whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h. |
|
2.1.3 |
L3 |
A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine exceeding 50 cm³ or whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h. |
|
2.1.4 |
L4 |
A vehicle with three wheels asymmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median plane with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine exceeding 50 cm³ or whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h (motor cycles with sidecars). |
|
2.1.5 |
L5 |
A vehicle with three wheels symmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median plane with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine exceeding 50 cm³ or whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h. |
|
2.1.6 |
L6 |
A vehicle with four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 350 kg, not including the mass of the batteries in case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is not more than 45 km/h, and whose engine cylinder capacity does not exceed 50 cm³ for spark (positive) ignition engines, or whose maximum net power output does not exceed 4 kW in the case of other internal combustion engines, or whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4 kW in the case of electric engines. |
|
2.1.7 |
L7 |
A vehicle with four wheels, other than that classified for the category L6, whose unladen mass is not more than 450 kg (650 kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods), not including the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles and whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 15 kW. |
|
2.2 |
M |
Power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of passengers |
|
2.2.1 |
M1 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat. (Passenger vehicles) |
|
2.2.2 |
M2 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes. |
|
2.2.3 |
M3 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes. |
|
2.3 |
N |
Power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of goods |
|
2.3.1 |
N1 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. (Pick-Up Trucks) |
|
2.3.2 |
N2 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes. (Commercial Trucks) |
|
2.3.3 |
N3 |
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes. (Commercial Trucks) |
|
2.4 |
O |
Trailers (including semi–trailers) |
|
2.4.1 |
O1 |
Trailers with a maximum mass not exceeding 0.75 tonnes. |
|
2.4.2 |
O2 |
Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 0.75 tonnes, but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. |
|
2.4.3 |
O3 |
Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, but not exceeding 10 tonnes. |
|
2.4.4 |
O4 |
Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes. |
|
2.5 |
Special purpose vehicle[ | |
|
2.5.1 |
Motor Caravan, also Campervan, Motorhome. | |
|
2.5.2 |
Armoured Car (VIP), Armoured Car (Valuables). | |
|
2.5.3 |
Ambulance | |
|
2.5.4 |
Hearse | |
|
2.6 |
T |
Agricultural and Forestry (tractors) |
|
2.7 |
Non – Road mobile machinery | |
|
2.8 |
G |
Off Road vehicles |
|
2.9.2 |
Special purpose Vehicles (M1) | |
|
2.9.2.1 |
SA |
Motor Caravan (see paragraph 2.5.1.) |
|
2.9.2.2 |
SA |
Armoured Vehicle (see paragraph 2.5.2.) |
|
2.9.2.3 |
SA |
Ambulance (see paragraph 2.5.3.) |
|
2.9.2.4 |
SA |
Hearse (see paragraph 2.5.4.) |
Category Notes:
- A vehicle of category M, N or O for conveying passengers or goods and for performing a special function for which special body arrangements and/or equipment are necessary.
- A special purpose M1 category vehicle constructed to include accommodation space.
- A vehicle intended for the protection of conveyed passengers and/or goods and complying with armour plating anti-bullet requirements.
- A motor vehicle of category M intended for the transport of sick or injured people and having special equipment for such purpose.
- A motor vehicle intended for the transport of deceased people and having special equipment for such purpose.
- A power-driven vehicle, either wheeled or track laying, which has at least two-axles, whose function depends essentially on its tractive power, and which is specially designed to pull, push, carry or actuate certain implements, machines or trailer intended for use in agriculture or forestry. Such a tractor may be arranged to carry a load.
- Any mobile machine, transportable industrial equipment or vehicle with or without body work, not intended for the use of passenger- or goods-transport on the road, in which an internal combustion engine is installed.
- Off-road vehicles are considered to be the vehicle of categories M and N.
- Symbols M and N may be combined with symbol G. For example, a vehicle of category N1 which is suited for off-road use may be designated as N1G.
E.U. Classification:
In Europe, the classifications for vehicle category are based in UNECE standards and defined by:
- Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers
- Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 2002 relating to the type-approval of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 92/61/EEC.[
The EU general classification of vehicle categories:
- Motor vehicles with at least four wheels:
- Category M: used for the carriage of passengers
- Category M1: No more than eight seats in addition to the driver seat (mainly, cars)
- More than eight seats in addition to the driver seat (buses):
- Category M2: having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes (11,000 lb)
- Category M3: having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes
- Category N: used for the carriage of goods (Trucks):
- Category N1: having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (7,700 lb)
- Category N2: having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes (26,000 lb)
- Category N3: having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes
- Category M: used for the carriage of passengers
- Category O: Trailers (including semi-trailers)
- Category O1: maximum mass not exceeding 0.75 tonnes (1,700 lb)
- Category O2: exceeding 0.75 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (7,700 lb)
- Category O3: exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes (22,000 lb)
- Category O4: exceeding 10 tonnes
- Symbol G: Off-Road vehicles.
- Special purpose vehicles.