Vehicle classes play a significant role

When is a car considered a passenger car, and when is a truck considered a truck? For legislators, manufacturers and motorists, the Vehicle class plays a significant role! Why this is so and how the individual classes are defined, we explain to you in the following text.

Which EC vehicle classes are there?

For the purpose of systematization, the European Union has divided cars and motor vehicles that have comparable characteristics such as design, engine power and equipment, into so-called vehicle classes. You can find out which EC vehicle classes there are and how they are defined here in the vehicle class table read up.

Motor vehicles and trailers .	Class M	Motor vehicles for passenger transport with at least 4 wheels, e.g. automobiles, motor homes and Buses
	Class N	Motor vehicles for the carriage of goods with 3 and 4 wheels and a maximum permissible mass exceeding 1 Ton, e.g. trucks and delivery vans.
	Class O	Trailers and semi-trailers for motor vehicles
	Class L	light motor vehicles with 2, 3 or 4 wheels, e.g. moped, motorcycle, quad bike
	Class T	Agricultural and forestry tractors, e.g. tractor.
Lightweight single- and multi-track motor vehicles .	Class C	Agricultural and forestry tractors on tracks, such as excavators .
Agricultural and forestry vehicles .	Class R	Trailer for use in agriculture and forestry .
	Class S	Trailed machines for agriculture and forestry.

The individual classes are divided into further subcategories such as class M1, class M2, or class N1 for Further differentiation subdivided. Additional criteria for subdivision include the. total mass of a vehicle, the number of axles or wheels, and the maximum speed. According to the EC vehicle class directives, heavy tractors, for example, may only be built in such a way that they do not exceed a prescribed maximum speed. Do not exceed a prescribed maximum speed.

How are vehicle classes and driving licenses related

?

On Jan. 1, 1999, the former national driver's license classes in Germany were replaced by the vehicle classes uniformly in the European Union applicable vehicle classes A to E replaced. The driving license is valid in all EU member states and in the EEA states of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This eliminates the obligation to exchange the driver's license when changing residence to another member state. The individual vehicle classes are listed in the Central Vehicle Licensing Register (ZFER) of the Federal Motor Transport listed. They are noted in the vehicle's registration papers.

But why are vehicles and cars divided into vehicle classes in the first place? For it there is a completely simple reason: a driver in possession of the driving license class B knows that he is allowed to drive passenger cars. At this point, the question arises as to what exactly counts as a passenger car. Incidentally, the key relevant for the emission level depends on the vehicle class. You can find the emission key numbers in the registration certificate part 1.

What classes of driver's license are there?

Due to the abundance of different types of motor vehicles were already at the beginning of the 20th century Driving license classes were introduced. At that time, driver's license classes were limited to four types: Motorcycles, motor vehicles up to 2.5 tons with 10 horsepower and more, and motor vehicles over 2.5 tons. With the new EC driving license directive of 1913, a total of 16 driving license classes now exist in Germany.

Overview driving license classes

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Motorcycles	AM	Two- and three-wheeled mopeds and four-wheeled light motor vehicles
	A1	Motorcycles with up to 125 cc engine capacity and up to 11 kW power
	A2	Motorcycles up to 35 kW power whose output power does not exceed 70 kW
	A	Motorcycles and three-wheeled motor vehicles
PASSENGER CAR	B	Motor vehicles with up to 3,500 kg maximum permissible mass
	BF17	Motor vehicles with up to 3,500 kg maximum permissible mass; minimum age 17 years.
	B96	Motor vehicles and trailers with a gross vehicle weight of 3,500 to 4,250 kg in combination.
	B196	Motor vehicles with up to 3,500 kg maximum permissible mass and 125cc light motorcycles with sidecar.
	BE	Class B vehicles and trailers with a maximum permissible mass of 750 to 3,500 kg.
TRUCK	C1	Motor vehicles with a total mass between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg
	C1E	Combination of a motor vehicle according to C1 and a trailer over 750 kg, as well as vehicles of the Class B and a trailer over 3,500 kg.
	C	Motor vehicles with more than 3,500 kg total mass
	CE	Combination of a motor vehicle according to C and a trailer over 750 kg.
Bus	D1	Motor vehicles up to 8 m in length, which can carry up to 16 people.
	D1E	Combination of a motor vehicle of category D1 and a trailer over 750 kg.
	D	Motor vehicles that can carry more than 8 people.
	EN	Combination of a motor vehicle of category D and a trailer over 750 kg.
Vehicles for agriculture and forestry	L	Tractors up to 40 km/h and self-propelled machines, forklifts, feed mixers and other Industrial trucks up to 25 km/h
	T	Tractors up to 60 km/h and self-propelled machines, forklifts, feed mixers and other Industrial trucks up to 40 km/h

Vehicle classes and vehicle types

In addition to EC vehicle classes and driver's license classes, there are other differentiations in the field of Motor Vehicles. Whether tractor, truck or excavator, each vehicle counts to a certain vehicle type. How these differ in detail and how they are defined in more detail, you can find out under vehicle types.

Here at Niemöller, we not only inform you which car class your vehicle or car is assigned to And whether you have the necessary driving license for it. As one of the world's largest online stores for classic car spare parts, you will find a large selection of high-quality original spare parts and replacement parts. Browse through the individual sections and see for yourself! Do you have any questions? Please contact us by phone or send us an e-mail, we will be happy to advise you personally.