Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

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components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed)

[F14. Criteria for the subcategorisation of vehicles as off-road vehicles U.K.

4.1. M 1 or N 1 vehicles shall be subcategorised as off-road vehicles if they satisfy at the same time the following conditions: U.K.
(a)

at least one front and at least one rear axle designed to be driven simultaneously irrespective of whether one powered axle can be disengaged;

(b)

at least one differential locking mechanism or a mechanism having similar effect is fitted;

(c)

they are able to climb at least a 25 % gradient as solo vehicle;

(d)

they satisfy five out of the following six requirements:

(i)

the approach angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(ii)

the departure angle shall be at least 20 degrees;

(iii)

the ramp angle shall be at least 20 degrees;

(iv)

the ground clearance under the front axle shall be at least 180 mm;

(v)

the ground clearance under the rear axle shall be at least 180 mm;

(vi)

the ground clearance between the axles shall be at least 200 mm.

4.2. M 2 , N 2 or M 3 vehicles whose maximum mass does not exceed 12 tonnes shall be subcategorised as off-road vehicles if they satisfy the condition set out in point (a) or both conditions set out in points (b) and (c): U.K.
(a)

all their axles are driven simultaneously, irrespective of whether one or more powered axles can be disengaged;

(b)
(i)

at least one front and at least one rear axle are designed to be driven simultaneously irrespective of whether one powered axle can be disengaged;

(ii)

at least one differential locking mechanism or a mechanism having the same effect is fitted;

(iii)

they are able to climb a 25 % gradient as a solo vehicle;

(c)

they satisfy at least five out of the following six requirements if their maximum mass does not exceed 7,5 tonnes and at least four if their maximum mass exceeds 7,5 tonnes:

(i)

the approach angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(ii)

the departure angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(iii)

the ramp angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(iv)

the ground clearance under the front axle shall be at least 250 mm;

(v)

the ground clearance between axles shall be at least 300 mm;

(vi)

the ground clearance under the rear axle shall be at least 250 mm.

4.3. M 3 or N 3 vehicles whose maximum mass exceeds 12 tonnes shall be subcategorised as off-road vehicles if they satisfy the condition set out in point (a) or both conditions set out in points (b) and (c): U.K.
(a)

all their axles are driven simultaneously, irrespective of whether one or more powered axles can be disengaged;

(b)
(i)

at least half of the axles (or two axles out of the three in the case of a three axle vehicle and mutatis mutandis in the case of a five axle vehicle) is designed to be driven simultaneously, irrespective of whether one powered axle can be disengaged;

(ii)

there is at least one differential locking mechanism or a mechanism having similar effect;

(iii)

they are able to climb a 25 % gradient as solo vehicle;

(c)

they satisfy at least four out of the following six requirements:

(i)

the approach angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(ii)

the departure angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(iii)

the ramp angle shall be at least 25 degrees;

(iv)

the ground clearance under the front axle shall be at least 250 mm;

(v)

the ground clearance between axles shall be at least 300 mm;

(vi)

the ground clearance under the rear axle shall be at least 250 mm.

4.4. The procedure for checking compliance with the geometrical provisions referred to in this section shall be set out in Appendix 1.] U.K.