Definitions and Vehicle Categories

Introduction

Definitions

• Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): means a vehicle of category M, N or O having specific technical features in order to perform a function which requires special arrangements and/or equipment. eg: ambulance and hearse. 
• Incomplete vehicle: means any vehicle which must undergo at least one further stage of completion in order to meet the relevant technical requirements (e.g. chassis cab).
• Completed vehicle: means a vehicle, resulting from the process of multi-stage type-approval, which meets the relevant technical requirements (e.g. chassis cab that has body attached by one manufacturer, additional lighting attached by another manufacturer).
• Complete vehicle: means any vehicle which need not be completed in order to meet the relevant technical requirements (e.g. passenger car).
• Multi-stage type-approval: means the procedure whereby one or more Member States certify that, depending on the state of completion, an incomplete or completed type of vehicle satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements

Vehicle Categories

• Category M: Motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of persons and their luggage.
• Category N: Motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods.
• Category O: Trailers designed and constructed for the carriage of goods or of persons as well as for the accommodation of persons. 

Vehicle Category	Sub - Category	Maximum number of passengers (not including the driver)	Maximum Mass (M)
M (e.g. passenger cars, mini buses, coaches, etc)	M1	8	N/A
	M2	>8	M <= 5 tonnes
	M3	>8	M > 5 tonnes
N (e.g. passenger cars, mini buses, coaches, etc)	N1		M <= 3.5 tonnes
	N2		3.5 < M <= 12 tonnes
	N3		> 12 tonnes
O (e.g. small trailers, large semi trailers, etc)	O1	N/A	<= 0.75 tonnes
	O2	N/A	0.75 < M <= 3.5 tonnes
	O3	N/A	3.5 < M <= 10 tonnes
	04	N/A	> 10 tonnes