Directive 2001/116/EC

European Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapts 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. It is a text with European Economic Area relevance

Vehicle categories

Vehicle categories are defined according to the following classification:

  1. Category M: Motor vehicles with at least four wheels designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers (passenger cars):
    1. Category M1: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
    2. Category M2: Vehicles designed and constructed 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.
    3. Category M3: Vehicles designed and constructed 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. Category N: Motor vehicles with at least four wheels designed and constructed for the carriage of goods.
    1. Category N1: Light commercial vehicles - designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 tonnes.
    2. Category N2: Large goods vehicles - designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.
    3. Category N3: Large goods vehicles constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes.
  3. Category O: Trailers (including semi-trailers).
    1. Category O1: Trailers with a maximum mass not exceeding 0,75 tonnes
    2. Category O2: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 0,75 tonnes but not exceeding 3,5 tonnes.
    3. Category O3: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes.
    4. Category O4: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes.
  4. Off-road vehicles (symbol G). Types:
    1. Some vehicles in category N1 with a maximum mass not exceeding two tonnes and vehicles in category M1
    2. Vehicles in category N1 with a maximum mass exceeding two tonnes or in category N2, M2 or M3 with a maximum mass not exceeding 12 tonnes
    3. Vehicles in category M3 with a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes or in category N3
  5. "Special purpose vehicle" means 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.
    1. "Motor caravan" means a special purpose M category vehicle constructed to include living accommodation
    2. "Armoured vehicles" means vehicles intended for the protection of conveyed passengers and/or goods and complying with armour plating anti-bullet requirements.
    3. "Ambulances" means motor vehicles of category M intended for the transport of sick or injured people and having special equipment for such purpose.
    4. "Hearses" means motor vehicles of category M intended for the transport of deceased people and having special equipment for such purpose.
    5. "Trailer caravans": ISO 3833 - 1977 standard, term No 3.2.1.3.
    6. "Mobile cranes" means a special purpose vehicle of category N3, not fitted for the carriage of goods, provided with a crane whose lifting moment is equal to or higher than 400 kNm.
    7. "Other special purpose vehicles" means vehicles as defined in point 5 with the exception of those mentioned in bellow points

See also