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

PART B U.K. Criteria for types of vehicle, variants and versions

1. Category M₁ U.K.

1.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

1.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the design and assembly of the essential parts of the body structure in the case of a self-supporting body.

The same shall apply to vehicles the bodywork of which is bolted on or welded to a separate frame;

1.1.2. By way of derogation from the requirements of point 1.1.1(b), when the manufacturer uses the floor portion of the body structure as well as the essential constituent elements forming the front part of the body structure located directly in front of the windscreen bay, in the construction of different kinds of bodywork (for example a saloon and a coupe), those vehicles may be considered as belonging to the same type. Evidence thereof shall be provided by the manufacturer. U.K.

1.1.3. A type shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

1.2. Variant U.K.

1.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have the following construction features in common: U.K.

(a)

the number of lateral doors or the type of bodywork as defined in point 2 of Part C when the manufacturer uses the criterion of point 1.1.2;

(b)

the power plant with regard to the following construction features:

(i)

the type of energy supply (internal combustion engine, electric motor or other);

(ii)

the working principle (positive ignition, compression ignition or other);

(iii)

the number and arrangement of cylinders in the case of internal combustion engine (L4, V6 or other);

(c)

the number of axles;

(d)

the number, and interconnection of powered axles;

(e)

the number of steered axles;

(f)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete);

(g)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

1.3. Version U.K.

1.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the engine capacity in the case of internal combustion engine;

(c)

the maximum engine power output or the maximum continuous rated power (electric motor);

(d)

the nature of the fuel (petrol, gas oil, LPG, bi-fuel or other);

(e)

the maximum number of seating positions;

(f)

drive-by sound level;

(g)

exhaust emission level (for example Euro 5, Euro 6 or other);

(h)

combined or weighted, combined CO₂ emissions;

(i)

electric energy consumption (weighted, combined);

(j)

combined or weighted, combined fuel consumption;

As an alternative to the criteria in points (h), (i) and (j), the vehicles grouped into a version shall have in common all tests performed for the calculation of their CO₂ emissions, electric energy consumption and fuel consumption in accordance with sub-Annex 6 to Annex XXI to Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151(1).

2. Categories M₂ and M₃ U.K.

2.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

2.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the category;

(c)

the following aspects of construction and design:

(i)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the chassis;

(ii)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the body structure in the case of a self-supporting body;

(d)

the number of decks (single or double);

(e)

the number of sections (rigid/articulated);

(f)

the number of axles;

(g)

the mode of energy supply (on-board or off-board);

2.1.2. A type of vehicle shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

2.2. Variant U.K.

2.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have all of the following construction features in common: U.K.

(a)

the type of bodywork as defined in point 3 of Part C;

(b)

the class or combination of classes of vehicles as defined in paragraph 2.1.1 of UN Regulation No 107 (only in the case of complete and completed vehicles);

(c)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete/completed);

(d)

the power plant with regard to the following construction features:

(i)

the type of energy supply (internal combustion engine, electric motor or other);

(ii)

the working principle (positive ignition, compression ignition or other);

(iii)

the number and arrangement of cylinders in the case of internal combustion engine (L6, V8 or other);

(e)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

2.3. Version U.K.

2.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have all the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the ability of the vehicle to tow a trailer or not;

(c)

the engine capacity in the case of internal combustion engine;

(d)

the maximum engine power output or the maximum continuous rated power (electric motor);

(e)

the nature of the fuel (petrol, gas oil, LPG, bi-fuel or other);

(f)

drive-by sound level;

(g)

exhaust emission level (for example Euro IV, Euro V or other).

3. Category N₁ U.K.

3.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

3.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the design and assembly of the essential parts of the body structure in the case of a self-supporting body;

(c)

the design and the construction of the essential constituent elements forming the chassis in the case of a non-self-supporting body.

3.1.2. By way of derogation from the requirements of point 3.1.1(b), when the manufacturer uses the floor portion of the body structure as well the essential constituent elements forming the front part of the body structure located directly in front of the windscreen bay, in the construction of different kinds of bodywork (for example a van and a chassis-cab, different wheelbases and different roof heights), those vehicles may be considered as belonging to the same type. Evidence thereof shall be provided by the manufacturer. U.K.

3.1.3. A type of vehicle shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

3.2. Variant U.K.

3.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have the following construction features in common: U.K.

(a)

the number of lateral doors or the type of bodywork as defined in point 4 of Part C (for complete and completed vehicles) when the manufacturer uses the criterion of point 3.1.2;

(b)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete/completed);

(c)

the power plant with regard to the following construction features:

(i)

the type of energy supply (internal combustion engine, electric motor or other);

(ii)

the working principle (positive ignition, compression ignition or other);

(iii)

the number and arrangement of cylinders in the case of internal combustion engine (L6, V8 or other);

(d)

the number of axles;

(e)

the number and interconnection of powered axles;

(f)

the number of steered axles.

(g)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

3.3. Version U.K.

3.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the engine capacity in the case of internal combustion engine;

(c)

the maximum engine power output or maximum continuous rated power (electric motor);

(d)

the nature of the fuel (petrol, gas oil, LPG, bi-fuel or other);

(e)

the maximum number of seating positions;

(f)

drive-by sound level;

(g)

exhaust emission level (for example Euro 5, Euro 6 or other);

(h)

combined or weighted, combined CO₂ emissions;

(i)

electric energy consumption (weighted, combined);

(j)

combined or weighted, combined fuel consumption;

(k)

the existence of a unique set of innovative technologies, as specified in Article 12 of Regulation (EU) No 510/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2).

As an alternative to the criteria in points (h), (i) and (j), the vehicles grouped into a version shall have in common all tests performed for the calculation of their CO₂ emissions, electric energy consumption and fuel consumption in accordance with sub-Annex 6 to Annex XXI of Regulation (EU) 2017/1151.

4. Categories N₂ and N₃ U.K.

4.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

4.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the category;

(c)

the design and construction of the chassis that are common to a single line of product;

(d)

the number of axles;

4.1.2. A type of vehicle shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

4.2. Variant U.K.

4.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have the following construction features in common: U.K.

(a)

the body structural concept or type of bodywork as defined in point 4 of Part C and in Appendix 2 (only for complete and completed vehicles);

(b)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete/completed);

(c)

the power plant with regard to the following construction features:

(i)

the type of energy supply (internal combustion engine, electric motor or other);

(ii)

the working principle (positive ignition, compression ignition or other);

(iii)

the number and arrangement of cylinders in the case of internal combustion engine (L6, V8 or other);

(d)

the number and interconnection of powered axles;

(e)

the number of steered axles;

(f)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

4.3. Version U.K.

4.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the ability or not to tow a trailer as follows:

(i)

an unbraked trailer;

(ii)

a trailer with an inertia (or overrun) braking system as defined in paragraph 2.12 of UN Regulation No 13;

(iii)

a trailer with a continuous or semi-continuous braking system as defined in paragraphs 2.9 and 2.10 of UN Regulation No 13;

(iv)

a trailer of category O₄ that results in a maximum mass of the combination not exceeding 44 tonnes;

(v)

a trailer of category O₄ that results in a maximum mass of the combination exceeding 44 tonnes;

(c)

the engine capacity;

(d)

the maximum engine power output;

(e)

the nature of the fuel (petrol, gas oil, LPG, bi-fuel or other);

(f)

drive-by sound level;

(g)

exhaust emission level (for example Euro IV, Euro V or other).

5. Categories O₁ and O₂ U.K.

5.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

5.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the category;

(c)

the concept as defined in point 5 of Part C;

(d)

the following aspects of construction and design:

(i)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the chassis;

(ii)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the body structure in the case of a self-supporting body;

(e)

the number of axles.

5.1.2. A type of vehicle shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

5.2. Variant U.K.

5.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have the following construction features in common: U.K.

(a)

the kind of bodywork as referred to in Appendix 2 (for complete and completed vehicles);

(b)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete/completed);

(c)

the type of braking system (e.g. unbraked/inertia/power);

(d)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

5.3. Version U.K.

5.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the concept of the suspension (air, steel or rubber suspension, torsion bar or other);

(c)

the concept of the drawbar (triangle, tube or other).

6. Categories O₃ and O₄ U.K.

6.1. Type of vehicle U.K.

6.1.1. A ‘type of vehicle’ shall consist of vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the manufacturer's company name.

A change in the legal form of ownership of the company does not require that a new approval has to be granted;

(b)

the category;

(c)

the concept of the trailer with relation to the definitions in point 5 of Part C;

(d)

the following aspects of construction and design:

(i)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the chassis;

(ii)

the design and construction of the essential constituent elements forming the body structure in the case of trailers with a self-supporting body;

(e)

the number of axles.

6.1.2. A type of vehicle shall consist of at least one variant and one version. U.K.

6.2. Variants U.K.

6.2.1. A ‘variant’ within a type of vehicle shall group the vehicles that have the following construction and design features in common: U.K.

(a)

the kind of bodywork as referred to in Appendix 2 (for complete and completed vehicles);

(b)

the stage of completion (e.g. complete/incomplete/completed);

(c)

the concept of the suspensions (steel, air or hydraulic suspension);

(d)

the following technical features:

(i)

the capability or not for the chassis to be extendible;

(ii)

the deck height (normal, low loader, semi-low loader etc.);

(e)

in the case of multi-stage built vehicles, the manufacturer and the type of the previous stage vehicle.

6.3. Versions U.K.

6.3.1. A ‘version’ within a variant shall group the vehicles that have the following features in common: U.K.

(a)

the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)

the subdivisions or combination of subdivisions referred to in [F1 column 4 of table 6 in Schedule 3 to the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998] into which the axle spacing between two consecutive axles forming a group belongs;

(c)

the definition of the axles in the following respects:

(i)

lift axles (number and position);

(ii)

loadable axles (number and position);

(iii)

steered axle (number and position).

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Annex 1 Pt. B point 6.3.1(b) substituted (31.12.2022 at 11.00 p.m.) by The Road Vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (Type-Approval) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1273), regs. 1(2), 40(4)

7. Common requirements for all vehicle categories U.K.

7.1. When a vehicle falls into several categories because of its maximum mass or the number of seating positions or both, the manufacturer may select to use the criteria of one or the other vehicle category for the definition of the variants and the versions. U.K.

7.1.1. Examples: U.K.

(a)

a vehicle ‘A’ may be type-approved as N₁ (3,5 tonnes) and N₂ (4,2 tonnes) in relation to its maximum mass. In such a case, the parameters mentioned in category N₁ may be used also for the vehicle that falls into category N₂ (or vice-versa);

(b)

a vehicle ‘B’ may be type-approved as M₁ and M₂ in relation to the number of seating positions (7 + 1 or 10 + 1), the parameters mentioned in category M₁ may be used also for the vehicle that falls into category M₂ (or vice-versa).

7.2. A vehicle of category N may be type-approved against the provisions required for category M₁ or M₂, as the case may be, when it is intended to be converted into a vehicle of that category during the next step of a multi-stage type-approval procedure. U.K.

7.2.1. This option shall only be permitted for incomplete vehicles. U.K.

Such vehicles shall be identified by a specific variant code given by the manufacturer of the base vehicle.

7.3. Type-, variant- and version designations U.K.

7.3.1. The manufacturer shall allocate an alphanumeric code to each type of vehicle, variant and version, made up of Roman letters and/or Arabic numerals. U.K.

The use of brackets and hyphens is permitted provided they do not replace a letter or a numeral.

7.3.2. The whole code shall be designated: Type-Variant-Version or ‘TVV’. U.K.

7.3.3. The TVV shall clearly and unequivocally identify a unique combination of technical features in relation to the criteria defined in this Part. U.K.

7.3.4. The same manufacturer may use the same code in order to define a type of vehicle when the latter falls in two or more categories. U.K.

7.3.5. The same manufacturer shall not use the same code in order to define a type of vehicle for more than one type-approval within the same vehicle category. U.K.

7.4. Number of characters for the TVV U.K.

7.4.1. The number of characters shall not exceed: U.K.

(a)

15 for the code of the type of vehicle;

(b)

25 for the code of one variant;

(c)

35 for the code of one version.

7.4.2. The complete alphanumeric ‘TVV’ shall not contain more than 75 characters. U.K.

7.4.3. When the TVV is used as a whole, a space shall be left between the type, the variant and the version. U.K.

Example of such TVV: 159AF[…space]0054[…space]977K(BE).

(1)

Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 of 1 June 2017 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information, amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 (OJ L 175, 7.7.2017, p. 1).

(2)

Regulation (EU) No 510/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2011 setting emission performance standards for new light commercial vehicles as part of the Union's integrated approach to reduce CO₂ emissions from light-duty vehicles (OJ L 145, 31.5.2011, p. 1).