Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

4. Criteria for the sub-categorisation of vehicles as off-road vehicles U.K.

4.1. M₁ or N₁ 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 a 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. M₂, N₂ or M₃ vehicles the maximum mass of which does not exceed 12 tonnes shall be subcategorised as off-road vehicles if they satisfy either the condition set out in point (a) or the conditions set out in both 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. M₃ or N₃ vehicles whose maximum mass exceeds 12 tonnes shall be subcategorised as off-road vehicles if they satisfy either the condition set out in point (a) or the conditions set out in both 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 three axles 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 Part shall be set out in Appendix 1. U.K.

4.5. The requirements in points 4.1(a), 4.2(a), 4.2(b), 4.3(a), 4.3(b) on simultaneous driven axles are considered to have been fulfilled if one of the following conditions is fulfilled: U.K.

(a)

the transmission of the tractive power to all axles is performed by mechanical means only which provides traction in heavy off-road; or

(b)

each of the wheels of the axle in question is driven by an individual hydraulic or electric motor.

If the axles according to the requirements in points 4.1(a), 4.2(a), 4.2(b), 4.3(a), 4.3(b) on simultaneous driven axles are not powered by mechanical means only, the propulsion of the individual wheels shall be designed for heavy off-road operation. In such case it shall be ensured that at least 75 % of total tractive power can be transmitted to the wheel in question when the tractive conditions under the other wheels do not allow to transmit the tractive power properly via these wheels.

The auxiliary drive system according to point 4.5(b) shall not allow to disengage the tractive power automatically until the vehicle reaches 75 % of the maximum vehicle design speed or reaches 65 km/h.