Vehicle Categories

Vehicle categories in the European Homologation System

CATEGORY L - MOTOR VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN FOUR WHEELS
Category L1:
A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine not exceeding 50cm3 and whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h.

Category L2:
A three-wheeled vehicle of any wheel arrangement with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine not exceeding 50cm 3 and whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h.

Category L3:
A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine exceeding 50cm3 or whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h.

Category 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).

Category 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 50cm3 or whatever the means of propulsion a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h.

CATEGORY M - POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLES HAVING AT LEAST FOUR WHEELS AND USED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS
Category M1:
Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.

Category 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.

Category 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.

CATEGORY N - POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLES HAVING AT LEAST FOUR WHEELS AND USED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF GOODS
Category N1:
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

Category N2:
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.

Category N3:
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes.

CATEGORY O - TRAILERS (INCLUDING SEMITRAILERS)
Category O1:
Trailers with a maximum mass not exceeding 0.75 tonnes.