COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 417 final 
Brussels, 13 November 1991 
Amendment to the Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, 
dimensions and certain other technical characteristics 
of certain road vehicles 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3) 
of the EEC-Treaty) 
z 
Explanatory Memorandum 
Background: 
The Commission's proposal C0M(90)486 <1> amending Directive 85/3/EEC 
concerns the technical requirements that should be met in order that a 
heavy goods vehicle or public service vehicle that first enters service 
after 1 January 1993 may operate at a drive axle weight exceeding 10.5 
tonnes up to a maximum permitted weight of 11.5 tonnes or in the case 
of a tandem drive axle at a weight above 18 tonnes up to a maximum 
permitted weight of 19 tonnes. Those technical requirements are defined 
in Annex III to the proposed Directive and, in essence would require 
the use of twin tyres, air suspension or its equivalent. The 
equivalence of air suspension along with appropriate test procedures 
are defined. 
Both ESC <2) and the European Parliament <3> proposed amendments to 
the proposal, those of the European Parliament are fully taken on board 
in this amendment and in so doing many of the amendments tabled by ESC 
are included. The essence of the amendments accepted by the Commission 
is as fol lows: 
(1) OJ n* C 292, 22.11.1990, p.12 
(2) Opinion of the ESC 
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament 
a delayed implementation date of two years till 1 January 1995; 
permitting tandem drive axles to be used at a maximum gross weight 
above 18 tonnes and up to 19 tonnes without the need to comply with 
the technical requirements of Annex III provided the maximum weight 
of either axle does not exceed 9.5 tonnes; 
permit manufacturers an alternative test procedure to demonstrate 
the equivalence of a suspension system to that of air suspension. 
It is consequently proposed that the proposal for Directive be amended 
along those Iines. 
Amendment to the proposal for a Council Directive 
amending Directive 85/3/EEC on the 
weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics 
of certain road vehicles 
The proposal from the Commission forming the subject of document 
COM(90)486 final(1) is hereby amended as follows. V 
Initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended Text 
(Amendment No. 1) 
ARTICLE 1 (1) 
Article 4(3) (Directive 85/3/EEC) 
"3.For vehicles referred to in 
Annex I which are first put into 
circulation from January 1993 the 
provisions of Article 3(1) shall 
apply when the drive axle is at its 
maximum authorized weight of 11.5 
tonnes and where it is equipped 
with twin tyres and air suspension 
or suspension recognized as being 
equivalent within the Community as 
defined in Annex III." "3. For vehicles referred to in 
Annex I which are first put into 
circulation from January 1995 the 
provisions of Article 3(1) shall 
apply when the drive axle is at its 
maximum authorized weight of 11.5 
tonnes and where it is equipped with 
twin tyres and air suspension or 
suspension recognized as being 
equivalent within the Community as 
defined In Annex III." 
(1) 0J N* C 292, 22.11.1990, p. 12. 
J" 
Initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended text 
(Amendment No. 2) 
ARTICLE 1(2) 
Annex I, point 2.3.2. (Directive 85/3/EEC) 
2.3.2. Three-axle motor vehicles 
- 25 tonnes 
- 26 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 2.3.2. Three-axle motor vehicles 
- 25 tonnes 
- 26 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 
There is no need to demonstrate such 
equivalence for tandem axles the 
heaviest of which does not exceed 
9.5 tpnnes In weight. 
initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended Text 
(Amendment No. 3) 
ARTICLE 1(2) 
Annex I, point 2.3.3. (Directive 85/3/EEC) 
2.3.3. Four-axle motor vehicles 
with two steering axles 
- 32 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 2.3.3. Four-axle motor vehicles 
with two steering axles 
- 32 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 
There is no need to demonstrate such 
equivalence for tandem axles the 
heaviest axle of which does not 
exceed 9.5 tonnes in weight. 
] 
Initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended text 
(Amendment No. 4) 
ARTICLE 1(2) 
Annex I, point 3.5.3. (Directive 85/3/EEC) 
3.5.3. 1.3 m or greater but less 
than 1.8 m (1.3 m < d < 1.8 m) -
18 tonnes 
- 19 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 3.5.3. 1.3 m or greater but less 
than 1.8 m (1.3 m { d < 1.8 m) - 18 
tonnes 
- 19 tonnes where the driving axle 
is fitted with twin tyres and air 
suspension or suspension recognized 
as being equivalent within the 
Community as defined in Annex III. 
There Is no need to demonstrate such 
equivalence for tandem axles the 
heaviest axle of which does not 
exceed 9.5 tonnes in weight. 
Initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended text 
(Amendment No. 5) 
ARTICLE 2(1), first subparagraph 
1. The Member States shall, after 
consultation with the Commission, 
bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative 
provisions necessary to comply with 
this Directive not later than 1 
January 1993. 1. The Member States shall, after 
consultation with the Commission, 
bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative 
provisions necessary to comply with 
this Directive not later than 1 
January 1995. 
Initial text proposed by the 
Commission Amended text 
Annex (Amendment No. 6) 
ANNEX 
, point 6 (ca) (new) (Directive 85/3/EEC) 
PX 
(ca) be tested by other procedures 
where their équivalence has 
been 
demonstrated by the 
constructor to the 
satisfaction of the technical 
service. 
5 
Remainder unchanged* 
Done at Brussels. For the CounciI 

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