EU Vehicle Classification: A Guide to Understanding Vehicle Categories
In Europe, vehicles are classified according to UN ECE Standards and implemented by:
- Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
- Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Below are the key relevant vehicle types for LCV and HGV operations.
| N | Power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of goods. |
| N1 | Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. |
| N2 | Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes. |
| N3 | Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes. |
| O | Trailers |
| O3 | Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, but not exceeding 10 tonnes. |
| O4 | Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes. |
