A vehicle category classifies a land vehicle or trailer for regulatory purposes.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Information from Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), [1] Revision 6. [2]
Some categories have further sub classes. See Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) [2] for further information.
Vehicles in the table listed within parentheses are examples of the vehicle in that category, e.g. (Bus).
§ | 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 vehicle 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. (Electric bicycle) |
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 exceeding 50 cm³ and whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h. (Auto rickshaw) |
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. (Motorcycle) |
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. (Motorized tricycle) |
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. (Golf cart, Mobility scooter) |
2.1.7 | L7 | A vehicle with four wheels, other than that classified for the category L6, whose unladen mass is not more than 400 kg (550 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. (Microcars) |
2.2 | M | Vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of passengers (e.g., standard car with 2, 3, 4 doors). |
2.2.1 | M1 | Vehicles used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's = 9.( Larger Than Standard Car e.g.: London Cab / E7 Type Vehicle 8 seat + Driver.) |
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. (Bus) |
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. (Bus) |
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 Truck, Van) |
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 Truck) |
2.3.3 | N3 | Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes. (Commercial Truck) |
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 [Cat 1] | |
2.5.1 | Motor caravan, [Cat 2] also Campervan, Motorhome. | |
2.5.2 | Armored car (VIP), Armored car (valuables) [Cat 3] | |
2.5.3 | Ambulance [Cat 4] | |
2.5.4 | Hearse [Cat 5] | |
2.6 | T | Agricultural and Forestry tractors [Cat 6] |
2.7 | Non-road mobile machinery [Cat 7] | |
2.8 | G | Off-road vehicles [Cat 8] [Cat 9] |
2.9.2 | Special purpose vehicles (M1) | |
2.9.2.1 | SA | Motor caravan: see paragraph 2.5.1. |
2.9.2.2 | SB | Armoured vehicle: see paragraph 2.5.2. |
2.9.2.3 | SC | Ambulance: see paragraph 2.5.3. |
2.9.2.4 | SD | Hearse: see paragraph 2.5.4. |
In the European Union, the classifications for vehicle category are based on UNECE standards and defined by: [3]
The EU general classification of vehicle categories is: [6]
There is also a different category classification for driver licensing purposes.
The table below shows a translation of Vehicle Categories to European Driving Licence Categories, indicating which vehicle class can be driven with which category of licence.
Vehicle Category | European Driving Licence | Notes |
---|---|---|
L1e | AM [7] | |
L2e | AM [7] | |
L3e-A1 | A1 [7] | |
L3e-A2 | A2 [7] | |
L3e-A3 | A [7] | |
L5e | A1, A [7] | |
L6e | AM, B1 [7] | Cat AM up to 350 kg unladen; cat B1 for four-wheel vehicles up to 550 kg unladen |
L7e | B1, B [7] | Cat B1 for four-wheel vehicles up to 550 kg unladen; cat B up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass |
M1 | B | C when mass > 3500 kg |
M2 | D1, D | For more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat Cat D only. |
M3 | D1, D | For more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat Cat D only. |
N1 | B | |
N2 | C1, C | For mass between 7.5 and 12 tonnes Cat C only. |
N3 | C | |
O1 | B, C1, C, D1, D | |
O2 | BE, C1E, CE, D1E, DE | |
O3 | C1E, CE, D1E, DE | |
O4 | C1E, CE |
In the Czech Republic, land vehicle categories are defined by the act No. 56/2001 Sb. and the ordinance No. 341/2002 Sb. Categories M (including M1, M2, M3), N (including N1, N2, N3), of-road symbol G of M and N vehicles (M1G, M2G, M3G, N1G, N2G, N3G) and the category O (including O1, O2, O3 and O4) are defined according to the EU directive. Moreover, there are defined categories:
Motor vehicles in the Philippines follow UNECE standards and are defined in Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Department Order No. 2010-32, which was issued on September 8, 2010. [8] Initially adopted only for gasoline and diesel motor vehicles, classifications for electric vehicles were added through Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order No. 2021-039, issued on May 11, 2021, which also added subcategories for L1 and L2 electric vehicles covering e-bikes and mopeds. [9]
As of 2024, the Category L classifications were simplified through the issuance of LTO Administrative Order No. VDM-2024-044, which removed the Personal Mobility Scooter and Electric Kick Scooter categories and the sub-classifications of L1a, L1b, L2a, and L2b. [10]
A semi-trailer truck is the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer attaches to the tractor with a type of hitch called a fifth wheel.
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction, with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle. Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment, such as in the case of refuse trucks, fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a "straight truck" while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a "tractor".
The Quadricycle was an early form of automobile. Earliest models were propelled by a small steam engine, then designers switched to early internal combustion engines as they became available. The word is derived from the fact that it had four wheels and used a lot of technology from the bicycles of the era.
A large goods vehicle (LGV), or heavy goods vehicle (HGV), in the European Union (EU) is any lorry with a gross combination mass (GCM) of over 3,500 kg (7,700 lb). Sub-category N2 is used for vehicles between 3,500 kg and 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) and N3 for all goods vehicles over 12,000 kg as defined in Directive 2001/116/EC. The term medium goods vehicle is used within parts of the UK government to refer to goods vehicles of between 3,500 and 7,500 kg which according to the EU are also "large goods vehicles."
A voiturette is a miniature automobile.
A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.
A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor or engine and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedalling. Since it sometimes retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle, albeit a power-assisted one. Typically they are incapable of speeds above 52 km/h (32 mph); however, in recent years larger motors have been built, allowing bikes to reach speeds of upwards of 113 km/h.
Truck classifications are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck, typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), and can vary among jurisdictions.
In Canada, driver's licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Thus, specific regulations relating to driver's licences vary province to province, though overall they are quite similar. All provinces have provisions allowing non-residents to use licences issued by other provinces and territories, out-of-country licences, and International Driving Permits. Many provinces also allow non-residents to use regular licences issued by other nations and countries. Canadian driver's licences are also valid in many other countries due to various international agreements and treaties.
In India, a driving licence is an official document that authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public has access. In various Indian states, they are administered by the Regional Transport Authorities/Offices (RTA/RTO). A driving licence is required in India by any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other road defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This act sets limits on the minimum age for vehicle operation ranging from 16 to 20, depending on specific circumstances. A modern photo of the driving licence can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts, such as proof of identity or age.
The Russian Empire was one of the first countries to create a driving licence. Russia's first licences were issued in 1900 by Saint Petersburg authorities, and Russia joined an international convention in 1909. However, due to relatively small number of cars, the attempts to create a standardised Russian licence were rather sporadic and limited to major urban areas. No comprehensive system of driver licensing was present until 1936, when the Soviet government organised and standardised traffic and driving regulations, with the state-wide system regulated by specialised traffic police authorities.
Belarusian vehicle registration plates are currently mainly composed of four digits – the vehicle identifier, two letters – the number plate series, and the region code – a final digit indicating the region of Belarus in which the vehicle was registered. The placement of the series letters varies for the weight class or type of the vehicle:
The quadricycle is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, which allows these vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars. Quadricycles are defined by limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.
The legal definition of a motorcycle for the purposes of registration, taxation and rider licensing in most countries is a powered two-wheel motor vehicle. Most countries distinguish between mopeds up to 49 cc and the more powerful, larger, vehicles known as motorcycles, including scooter type motorcycles. Many jurisdictions include some forms of three-wheelers as motorcycles.
CJSC Yarovit Motors was a St. Petersburg, Russia company engaged in the SKD assembly and modification of trucks and road tractors road vehicles of the Dutch truck company Terberg. JSC "YAROVIT MOTORS" was created in 2003 when Yarovit Holdings purchased the former Leningrad Metal Plant.
A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public road. Such licenses are often plastic and the size of a credit card.
In Germany, the driving licence ("Führerschein") is a governmental privilege given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they desire. It is required for every type of motorised vehicle with the exception of the smallest mopeds below 50 cm³, with a speed limit of 25 km/h, as well as motorised bicycles. The types of licences one may obtain are the same in all the European Economic Area. See European driving licence.
BelToll is a system of toll roads operating in the Republic of Belarus.
Vehicle weight is a measurement of wheeled motor vehicles; either an actual measured weight of the vehicle under defined conditions or a gross weight rating for its weight carrying capacity.