8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC38/3
II
(Preparatory Acts)
COMMISSION
ProposalforaCouncilDirectivelayingdownmaximumauthorized weightsanddimensions for
roadvehiclesover3,5tonnescirculating withintheCommunity
(94/C38/03)
COM(93)679final—SYN486
(Submitted bytheCommission on15January1994)
THECOUNCIL OFTHEEUROPEAN UNION ,
HavingregardtotheTreatyestablishing theEuropean
Community ,andinparticularArticle75thereof,
HavingregardtotheproposalfromtheCommission ,
Incooperation withtheEuropeanParliament ,
HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEconomic and
SocialCommittee ,
WhereasCouncilDirective85/3/EEC0)ontheweights,
dimensions andcertainothertechnical characteristics of
certainroadvehiclesassetoutinAnnexIhasbeen
substantially amended onanumberofoccasions ;
whereasforreasonsofclarityandrationality thesaid
Directive shouldbeconsolidated inasingletext,
togetherwithCouncilDirective 86/364/EEC;
Whereas differences betweenstandards inforceinthe
Member Stateswithregardtotheweightsand
dimensions ofcommercial roadvehiclescouldhavean
adverseeffectontheconditions ofcompetition and
constitute anobstacletotrafficbetweenMemberStates;
Whereas,undertheprincipleofsubsidiarity ,action
shouldbetakenatCommunity levelinorderthatsuch
obstaclesberemovedonaCommunity -widebasis;
Whereas,intheframework ofthecommontransport
policy,commonstandardshavebeenestablished forthe
weights,dimensions andcertainothercharacteristics of
certainvehicleswhichpermittheimproveduseofthese
vehiclesintrafficbetweenMemberStates;Whereas thesestandards reflectabalancebetweenthe
rationalandeconomical useofthesaidcommercial road
vehicles,therequirements ofinfrastructure maintenance
andthoseofroadsafety;
Whereasinordertoensureuniformapplications ofthis
Directive insofarasitrelatestospecialpermitsfor
vehiclesorvehiclecombinations carryingindivisible
loadsitisnecessarytoharmonize thatnotion;
Whereasthetonneisuniversally usedandunderstood as
theunitofmeasurement forvehicleweightandis,
therefore ,appliedinthisDirectivewhilstrecognizing
thattheformalunitofweightisthenewton;
Whereas,intheinterestoftheestablishment and
operationoftheinternalmarketoftheCommunity ,the
scopeofthisDirective shouldalsobeextendedto
nationaltransportinsofarasitconcernscharacteristics
thatsignificantly affecttheconditions ofcompetition in
thetransportsector,namelythemaximum authorized
dimensions ofvehiclesandvehiclecombinations and
totalweightsforcombinations withfour,fiveorsix
axles;
Whereasfortheotherweightcharacteristics Member
Statesareauthorized toapplyweightsontheirterritory
higherthanthoseprovidedforinthisDirectiveonlyto
vehicleswheretheyareusedindomestictraffic;
Whereasthemaximumpermissible vehiclewidthof1,50
metrescanleaveinsufficient internalspacetoeffect
efficientloadingofpallets,whichhasgivenriseto
application ofdifferentextratolerances inthelegislation
oftheMemberStatesconcerning domestictrafficand,
therefore ,generaladaptation tothecurrentsituationis
necessary inordertoprovideforclarityintechnical
requirements ,bearinginmindtheroadsafetyaspectsof
thesecharacteristics ;
Whereasinordertoencourage theuseofmeansof
transportwhichcauserelativelylesstearandweartothe
infrastructure andinthelightoftechnicalprogressof
axleconfigurations itisappropriate toallowforan (')AslastamendedbyCouncilDirective92/7/EEC.

8.2.94 NoC38/4 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities
increasedmaximum authorized totalweightforsixaxle
combinations whenthosecombinations meetthecriteria
forroadfriendlysuspensions ;Whereas inordertofacilitate themonitoring of
compliance withtheprovisions ofthisDirective ,itis
necessary toensurethatvehiclescarryproofofsuch
compliance ;
WhereasthisDirectivemustnotaffecttheobligations of
theMemberStatesconceringthedeadlinesfortranspo­
sitionintonationallawandforapplication indicatedin
AnnexIV,PartB,Whereasprogresshasbeenmadeinthecompletion of
typeapprovaldirectivesforheavygoodsvehiclesand,
therefore ,therequirements onconformity withcharac­
teristicsotherthanweightsanddimensions aslaiddown
inAnnexIItoDirective 85/3/EECshouldbedeleted :
Whereassuchamodification isalsorequiredinorderto
avoidrulesconflicting withinternational conventions on
roadtrafficandcirculation ;HASADOPTED THISDIRECTIVE :
Article1
1.ThisDirectiveappliesto:
Whereasvehiclesthatcarryoraredestinedtocarryan
indivisible loadthatexceedstheweightordimension
characteristics ofAnnexItothisDirective willneedto
haveaspecialpermittocirculateissuedbyacompetent
authoritydesignated byeachMemberState;(a)thedimensions ofvehicleswithatleastfourwheels
andamaximum speedinexcessof25kilometres per
hour,intendedtobeusedontheroadfor:
—eitherthecarriageofgoodswheretheir
maximum ladenweightisgreaterthan3,5
tonnes,
—orpassenger transportwheretheyhavemore
thannineseats,includingthedriver'sseat;
(b)theweightsandcertainothercharacteristics ofthe
vehiclesdefinedin(a)andspecifiedinAnnexI(2).
2.AllthevaluesofweightsindicatedinAnnexIare
validascirculation standardsandthusrefertoloading
conditions ,notproduction standards ,whichwillbe
definedinalaterDirective .Whereasdivergingnationalrulesontheoverhanging of
loadsonvehiclesarenotdeemedtocausemajor
distortions and,therefore ,shouldnotbeharmonized at
thisstage,withoutprejudice tofurtherCommunity
action;
WhereasincaseswhereinaMemberStateaclearly
definedsectoroftransportoffreightorpassengers that
doesnotsignificantly affectinternational transport
competition isundertaken byvehiclesorvehiclecombi­
nationswhosedimensions ortotalweightsexceedthose
ofthisDirective ,exemptions tothemaximum weights
anddimensions shouldbegrantedtosuchsectorsafter
informing theCommission andtheotherMemberStates;Article2
ForthepurposeofthisDirective :
Whereas technological developments thatresultin
weightsordimensions exceeding thoseinthisDirective
shallbegrantedexemptions forlimitedtrialperiodsafter
informing theCommission andtheotherMemberStates;—'motorvehicle'shallmeananypower-driven vehicle
whichtravelsontheroadbyitsownmeans,
—'trailer'shallmeananyvehicleintendedtobe
coupledtoamotorvehicleexcluding semi-trailers ,
andconstructed andequippedforthecarriageof
goods,
—'semi-trailer 'shallmeananyvehicle-intended tobe
coupledtoamotorvehicleinsuchawaythatpartof
itrestsonthemotorvehiclewithasubstantial partof
itsweightandoftheweightofitsloadbeingborne
bythemotorvehicle,andconstructed andequipped
forthecarriageofgoods,Whereas vehicleswhichenteredintoservicebeforethe
adaptation ofthisDirectiveandwhichdonotcomply
withtheweightanddimension characteristics laiddown
inthisDirective ,duetoformerdifferingnational
provisions ormethodsofmeasurement ,shouldbe
allowedtocontinuetoprovidetransport withinthe
MemberStateofregistration foratransitional period;
—'combined vehicle'shallmeaneither :
Whereasadditional technicalrequirements relatedtothe
weightsanddimensions ofcommercial vehiclesmay
applytovehiclesregistered inaMemberState;whereas
theserequirements mustnotconstitute anobstacletothe
circulation ofcommercial vehicles between Member
States;—aroadtrainconsistingofamotorvehiclecoupled
toatrailer,or
—anarticulated vehicleconsisting ofamotor
vehiclecoupledtoasemi-trailer ,

8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities NoC38/5
—allmaximum authorized dimensions specified in
AnnexIshallbemeasured inaccordance withAnnex
ItoDirective 70/156/EEC,aslastamended by
Directive 92/53/EEC.—'thick-walled refrigerated vehicle'shallmeanany
vehiclewhosefixedormovablesuperstructures are
speciallyequippedforthecarriageofgoodsat
controlled temperatures inaccordance withclassesB,
C,EandFoftheAgreement of1September 1970
ontheInternational CarriageofPerishable Food­
stuffsandontheSpecialEquipment tobeusedfor
suchCarriage (ATP)andwhosesidewalls,inclusive
ofinsulation ,areeachatleast45millimetres thick,Article3
1.MemberStatesmaynotrejectorprohibittheuse
ontheirterritories vehiclesregisteredorputintocircu­
lationinanyMemberStateforreasonsrelatingtotheir
weightsanddimensions providedthatsuchvehicles
complywiththelimitvaluesspecifiedinAnnexI.—'bus'shallmeanavehiclewithmorethannineseats
including thedriver'sseat,andconstructed and
equippedtocarrypassengers andtheirluggage .It
mayhaveoneortwodecksandmayalsodrawa
luggagetrailer,Thisprovisionshallapplynotwithstanding thefactthat
(a)thesaidvehiclesarenotinconformity withthe
requirements oftheMemberStatesconcerned with
regardtocertainweightanddimension charac­
teristicsnotcoveredbyAnnexI;
(b)thecompetent authorityoftheMemberStatein
whichthevehiclesareregisteredorputintocircu­
lationhasauthorized limitsexceeding thoselaid
downinAnnexI.—'articulated bus'shallmeanabusconsisting oftwo
rigidsectionsconnected toeachotherbyan
articulated section.Onthistypeofvehiclethe
passenger compartments ineachofthetworigid
sectionsshallbeintercommunicating .Thearticulated
sectionshallpermitthefreemovement oftravellers
betweentherigidsections .Connection anddiscon­
nectionofthetwosectionsshallbepossibleonlyina
workshop ,
—'maximum authorized dimensions 'shallmeanthe
maximum dimensions atwhichavehicleisauthorized
foruseunderthisDirective bythecompetent
authority oftheStateinwhichthevehicleis
registeredorputintocirculation ,2.However ,theprovisions inparagraph 1(a)shall
notaffecttherightofMemberStates,withdueregardto
Community law,torequirevehiclesregistered orput
intocirculation intheirownterritorytobeinconformity
withtheirnationalrequirements onweightand
dimension characteristics notcoveredbyAnnexI.
Article4—'maximum authorized weight'shallmeanthe
maximum weightatwhichaladenvehicleisauth­
orizedforuseunderthisDirectivebythecompetent
authority oftheStateinwhichthevehicleis
registeredorputintocirculation ,1.Member Statesshallnotallowthenormalcircu­
lationofvehiclesorvehiclecombinations ontheir
territorywhicharenotinconformity withthecharac­
teristicsofAnnex1,points1,2.2and4.4.
—'maximum authorized axleweight'shallmeanthe
maximum weightatwhichaladenaxleorgroupof
axlesisauthorized foruseunderthisDirectivebythe
competent authorityoftheStateinwhichthevehicle
isregisteredorputintocirculation ,2.MemberStatesmayallowcirculation ontheir
territoryofvehiclesorvehiclecombinations whichare
notinconformity withcharacteristics fixedinAnnex 1,
points2.1,2.3,2.4,3,4.1,4.2and4.3.
3.Vehicles orvehiclecombinations whichexceed
thesemaximumcharacteristics mayonlybeauthorized to
circulateonthebasisofspecialpermitsissuedwithout
discrimination bycompetent authorities whenthese
vehiclesorvehiclecombinations carryoraredestinedto
carryindivisible loads.
4.MemberStatesmayallowvehiclesorvehicle
combinations usedforfreightorpassenger transport ,
whichareengagedincertaintransportoperations that
donotaffectsignificantly international competition in—'indivisible load'shallmeanaloadthatcannotfor
thepurposeofcarriageontheroadbedividedinto
twoormoreloadswithoutundueexpenseorriskof
damageandwhichowingtoitsdimensions ormasses
cannotbecarriedbyamotorvehicle,trailer,road
trainorarticulated vehicle,complying withthe
provisionsofthisDirectiveinallrespects,
—theunit'tonne'shallmeantheweightexecutedby
themassofatonneandshallcorrespond to9,8kilo­
newtons(kN),

8.2.94 NoC38/6 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
thetransportsector,tocirculateontheirterritorywith
dimensions orweightsexceeding thoseofAnnexI,
points1,2.2and4.4.TheyshallinformtheCommission
andotherMemberStatesthereof .
5.Vehiclesorvehiclecombinations incorporating new
technologies orconceptswhichcannotcomplywithone
ormorerequirements ofthisDirectivemaybepermitted
toengageincertainlocaltransportoperations foratrial
period.TheMemberStateshallinformtheCommission
andotherMember Statesthereof .
6.MemberStatesmayallowvehiclesorvehicle
combinations usedforfreightorpassengertransportand
registered before 1January1995tocirculateontheir
territorywithdimensions andweightsexceedingthoseof
AnnexI,points1,2.2and4.4,duetoformerdiffering
nationalprovisions ormethodsofmeasurement until31
December 2000.
Article5(b)asingleplateestablished andattachedinaccordance
withDirective 76/114/EECandcontaining the
information onthetwoplatesreferredtoin(a);
(c)asingledocument issuedbythecompetent auth­
oritiesoftheMemberStateinwhichthevehicleis
registered orputintocirculation .Suchdocument
shallbearthesameheadingsandinformation asthe
platesreferredtoin(a).Itshallbekeptinaplace
easilyaccessibletoinspection andshallbeadequately
protected .
2.Ifthecharacteristics ofthevehiclenolonger
correspond tothoseindicated ontheproofof
compliance ,theMemberStateinwhichthevehicleis
registered shalltakethenecessary stepstoensurethat
theproofofcompliance isaltered.
3.Theplatesanddocuments referredtoinparagraph
1shallberecognized bytheMemberStatesastheproof
ofvehiclecompliance providedforinthisDirective .
4.Vehiclescarryingproofofcompliance maybe
subject :
—asregardscommonstandardsonweights,torandom
checks,
—asregardscommonstandardsondimensions ,onlyto
checkswherethereisasuspicionofnon-compliance
withthisDirective .
5.Themiddlecolumnoftheproofofcompliance
relatingtoweightsshallcontain,whereappropriate ,the
Community weightstandardsapplicable tothevehiclein
question .
Asregardsvehiclesreferredtoinsection2.2.2(c)of
AnnexI,theentry'(44tonnes)'shallbeincludedin
bracketsunderthemaximum authorized weightofthe
combined vehicle .
6.EachMemberStatemaydecide,inrespectofany
vehicleregisteredorputintocirculation initsterritory,
otherthanthosecoveredbypoint2.2ofAnnexIthatthe
maximum weightsauthorized byitsnationallegislation
shallbeindicated intheproofofcompliance inthe
left-handcolumnandthetechnically permissible weights
indicated intheright-hand column .1.Articulated vehiclesputintocirculation before 1
January1991whichdonotcomplywiththenewspecifi­
cationscontained inpoints1.6and4.4ofAnnexIshall
bedeemedtocomplywithsuchspecifications forthe
purposesofArticle3iftheydonotexceedthetotal
lengthof15,50metres.
2.ForthepurposesofArticle3roadtrainsthemotor
vehicleofwhichwasputintocirculation before31
December 1991whichdonotcomplywiththe
requirements ofsections1.7and1.8ofAnnexIshall
until31December 1998bedeemedtoconformtosuch
requirements providedthattheydonotexceedthetotal
lengthof18,00metres.
Article6
1.MemberStatesshalltakethenecessarymeasuresto
ensurethatthevehiclesreferredtoinArticle2and
complying withthisDirectivecarryoneoftheproofs
referredtoin(a),(b)and(c):
(a)acombination ofthefollowingtwoplates:
—the'manufacturer 'splate'established and
attached inaccordance withDirective
76/114/EEC,Article7
ThisDirectiveshallnotprecludetheapplication ofroad
trafficprovisions inforceineachMemberStatewhich
permittheweightand/ordimensions ofvehicleson
certainroadsorcivilengineering structurestobelimited,
irrespective oftheStateofregistration ofsuchvehicles .—theplaterelatingtodimensions ,inaccordance
withAnnexIIIandestablished andattached in
accordance withDirective 76/114/EEC:

8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC38/7
Article8
Article3shallnotapplyinIrelandandtheUnited
Kingdomuntil31December 1998:(iv)27tonnesforthevehiclesreferredtoinpoint
2.4,
—asregardsthestandardreferredtoinpoint3.4of
AnnexI,withtheexceptionofthevehiclesreferred
toinpoint2.2,2.3and2.4ofAnnexI,wherethe
weightperdrivingaxledoesnotexceed10,5tonnes. —asregardsthestandardsreferredtoinpoints2.2,
2.3.1,2.3.3,2.4and3.3.2ofAnnexI:
Article9
TheDirectives listedinAnnexIV,PartAarehereby
repealed,withoutprejudicetotheobligations ofthe
MemberStatesconcerning thedeadlinesfortransposal
setoutinAnnexIV,PartB.
References totherepealedDirectives shallbeconstrued
asreference tothisDirective andshouldbereadin
accordance withthecorrelation tablesetoutinAnnexV.
Article10—withtheexception ofthearticulated vehicles
referredtoinpoint2.2.2where:
(i)thetotalladenweightdoesnotexceed38
tonnes;
(ii)theweightonanytri-axleatthespacing
specifiedinpoint3.3.2ofAnnexIdoesnot
exceed22,5tonnes,
—withtheexceptionofthevehiclesreferredtoin
points2.2.3,2.2.4,2.3and2.4,wherethetotal
ladenweightdoesnotexceed :
(i)35tonnesforthevehiclesreferredtoin
points2.2.3and2.2.4;
(ii)17tonnesforthevehiclesreferredtoinpoint
2.3.1;
(iii)30tonnesforthevehiclesreferredtoinpoint
2.3.3,subjecttocompliance withthe
conditions specified inthatpointandin
point4.3;1.MemberStatesshallbringintoforcethelaws,
regulations andadministrative provisions necessary to
complywiththisDirectivebefore1January1995.They
shallimmediately informtheCommission thereof .
WhenMemberStatesadopttheseprovisions ,theseshall
containareference tothisDirective orshallbeaccom­
paniedbysuchreferenceatthetimeoftheirofficial
publication .Theprocedure forsuchreference shallbe
adoptedbyMemberStates.
2.Member Statesshallcommunicate tothe
Commission thetextsofthemainprovisions ofdomestic
lawwhichtheyadopttocomplywiththisDirective .
Article11
ThisDirective isaddressed totheMemberStates.
ANNEXI
MAXIMUM WEIGHTS ANDDIMENSIONS ANDRELATED CHARACTERISTICS OFVEHICLES
1.Maximum authorized dimensions forthevehiclesreferredto
inArticle 1(1)(a)
1.1.Maximum length:
—motorvehicle 12,00m
—trailer 12,00m
—articulated vehicle 16,50m
—roadtrain 18,35m
—articulated bus 18,00m

NoC38/8 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 8.2.94
1.2.Maximum width:
(a)allvehicles 2,55m
(b)refrigerated superstructures ofthick-walled refrigerated
vehicles 2,60m
1.3.Maximum height(anyvehicle) 4,00m
1.4.Removable superstructures andstandardized freightitems
suchascontainers areincludedinthedimensions specified
in1.1,1.2,1.3,1.6,1.7,1.8,4.4.
1.5.Anymotorvehicleorcombinedvehiclewhichisinmotion
mustbeabletoturnwithinasweptcirclehavinganouter
radiusof12,50mandaninnerradiusof5,30m.
1.6.Maximum distancebetweentheaxisofthefifth-wheel king
pinandtherearofasemi-trailer 12,00m
1.7.Maximum distancemeasuredparalleltothelongitudinal axis
oftheroadtrainfromtheforemostexternalpointofthe
loadingareabehindthecabintotherearmostexternalpoint
ofthetrailerofthecombination ,minusthedistancebetween
therearofthedrawingvehicleandthefrontofthetrailer 15,65m
1.8.Maximum distancemeasuredparalleltothelongitudinal axis
oftheroadtrainfromtheforemostexternalpointofthe
loadingareabehindthecabintotherearmostexternalpoint
ofthetrailerofthecombination 16,00m
2.Maximum authorized vehicleweight(intonnes)
2.1.Vehiclesformingpartofacombinedvehicle
2.1.1.Two-axle trailer
2.1.2.Three-axle trailer18tonnes
24tonnes
Combined vehicles 2.2.
2.2.1.Roadtrainswithfiveorsixaxles
(a)two-axlemotorvehiclewiththree-axle trailer
(b)three-axlemotorvehiclewithtwo-axletrailer
(c)three-axlemotorvehicle
withthree-axle trailer40tonnes
40tonnes
40tonnes,
44tonneswherethedrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyres
andairsuspension orsuspension recognized asbeing
equivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedinAnnexII,
orwhereeachdrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyresand
wherethemaximum weightforeachaxledoesnot
exceed9,5tonnes .
2.2.2.Articulated vehicleswithfiveorsixaxles
(a)two-axlemotorvehiclewiththree-axle semi-trailer
(b)three-axle motorvehiclewithtwo-axlesemi-trailer
(c)three-axle motorvehiclewithtwoorthree-axle semi­
trailercarryinga40-footISOcontainer asacombined
transportoperation40tonnes
40tonnes
44tonnes

8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC38/9
40tonnes, (d)Three-axle motorvehicle
withthree-axle semi-trailer 44tonneswherethedrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyres
andairsuspension orsuspension recognized asbeing
equivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedinAnnexII
orwhereeachdrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyresand
wherethemaximum weightforeachaxledoesnot
exceed9,5tonnes
2.2.3.Roadtrainswithfouraxlesconsisting ofatwo-axlemotor
vehicleandatwo-axle trailer 36tonnes
2.2.4.Articulated vehicleswithfouraxlesconsistingofatwo-axle
motorvehicleandatwo-axlesemi-trailer ,ifthedistance
betweentheaxlesofthesemi-trailer :
2.2.4.1.is1,3morgreaterbutnotmorethan1,8m 36tonnes
2.2.4.2.isgreaterthan1,8m 36tonnes-I-2tonnesmarginwhenthemaximum auth­
orizedweight(MAW)ofthemotorvehicle(18tonnes)
andtheMAWofthetandemaxleofthesemi-trailer (20
tonnes)arerespectedandthedrivingaxleisfittedwith
twintyresandairsuspension orsuspension recognized
asbeingequivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedin
AnnexII.
2.3.Motorvehicles
2.3.1.Two-axle motorvehicles 18tonnes
2.3.2.Three-axle motorvehicles 25tonnes,
26tonneswherethedrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyres
andairsuspension orsuspension recognized asbeing
equivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedinAnnexII,
orwhereeachdrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyresand
themaximum weightofeachaxledoesnotexceed
9,5tonnes;
2.3.3.Four-axlemotorvehicleswithtwosteeringaxles 32tonneswherethedrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyres
andairsuspension orsuspension recognized asbeing
equivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedinAnnexII,
orwhereeachdrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyresand
themaximum weightofeachaxledoesnotexceed
9,5tonnes:
2.4.Three-axle articulated buses 28tonnes
3.Maximum authorized axleweightofthevehiclesreferredto
inArticle 1(1)(b)(intonnes)
3.1.Singleaxles
Singlenon-driving axle 10tonnes
3.2.Tandemaxlesoftrailersandsemi-trailers
Thesumoftheaxleweightspertandemaxlemustnot
exceed,ifthedistance(d)betweentheaxleis
3.2.1.lessthan1m(d<1,0) 11tonnes
3.2.2.between1,0mandlessthan1,3m(1,0<d<1,3) 16tonnes
3.2.3.between1,3mandlessthan1,8m(1,3<d<1,8) 18tonnes
3.2.4.1,8mandmore(1,8<d) 20tonnes
/

NoC38/10 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 8.2.94
3.3.Tri-axlesoftrailersandsemi-trailers
Thesumoftheaxleweightspertri-axlemustnotexceed,if
thedistance (d)betweentheaxlesis
3.3.1.1,3morless(d<1,3) 21tonnes
3.3.2.over1,3mandupto1,4m(1,3<d<1,4) 24tonnes
3.4.Drivingaxle
3.4.1.Drivingaxleofthevehiclesreferredtoinsections2.2.1and
2.2.2 11,5tonnes
3.4.2.Drivingaxleofthevehiclesreferredtoinsections2.2.3,
2.2.4,2.3and2.4 11,5tonnes
3.5.Tandemaxlesofmotorvehicles
Thesumoftheaxleweightspertandemaxlemustnot
exceed,ifthedistance (d)betweentheaxlesis:
3.5.1.lessthan1m(d<1,0) 11,5tonnes
16tonnes 3.5.2.1,0morgreaterbutlessthan1,3m(1,0m<d<1,3m)
3.5.3.1,3morgreaterbutlessthan1,8m(1,3m<d<1,8m)18tonnes,
19tonneswherethedrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyres
andairsuspension orsuspension recognized asbeing
equivalent withintheCommunity asdefinedinAnnexII,
orwhereeachdrivingaxleisfittedwithtwintyresand
wherethemaximum weightforeachaxledoesnot
exceed9,5tonnes
4.Relatedcharacteristics ofthevehiclereferredtoinArticle 1
(1)(b)
4.1.Allvehicles
Theweightbornebythedrivingaxleordrivingaxlesofa
vehicleorcombined vehiclemustnotbelessthan25%of
thetotalladenweightofthevehicleorcombined vehicle,
whenusedininternational traffic.
4.2.Roadtrains
Thedistancebetweentherearaxleofamotorvehicleand
thefrontaxleofatrailermustnotbelessthan3,00m.
4.3.Maximum authorized weightdepending onthewheelbase
Themaximum authorized weightintonnesofafour-axle
motorvehiclemaynotexceedfivetimesthedistancein
metresbetweentheaxesoftheforemost andrearmost axles
ofthevehicle .
4.4.Semi-trailers :
Thedistancemeasuredhorizontally betweentheaxisofthe
fifth-wheel kingpinandanypointatthefrontofthesemi­
trailermustnotexceed2,04m.

8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities NoC38/11
ANNEXII
CONDITIONS RELATING TOEQUIVALENCE BETWEEN CERTAIN NON-AIR SUSPENSION
SYSTEMS ANDAIRSUSPENSION FORVEHICLE DRIVING AXLE(S )
1.DEFINITION OFSUSPENSION
Asuspension systemisconsidered tobeairsuspended ifatleast75%ofthespringeffectis
causedbytheairspring.
2.EQUIVALENCE TOAIRSUSPENSION
Asuspension recognized tobeequivalent toairsuspension mustconformtothefollowing :
2.1.Duringfreetransientlowfrequency verticaloscillation ofthesprungmassaboveadrivingaxle
orbogie,themeasuredfrequency anddampingwiththesuspension carryingitsmaximumload
mustfallwithinthelimitsdefinedinparagraphs 2.2to2.5.
2.2.Eachaxlemustbefittedwithhydraulicdampers .Ontandemaxlebogies,thedampersmustbe
positioned tominimizetheoscillation ofthebogies.
2.3.ThemeandampingratioDmustbemorethan20%ofcriticaldampingforthesuspension inits
normalconditionwithhydraulicdampersinplaceandoperating .
2.4.ThedampingratioDofthesuspension withallhydraulicdampersremovedorincapacitated
mustbenotmorethan50%ofD.
2.5.Thefrequency ofthesprungmassabovethedrivingaxleorbogieinafreetransientvertical
oscillation mustnotbehigherthan2,0Hz.
2.6.Thefrequencyanddampingofthesuspension aregiveninparagraph 3.Thetestprocedures for
measuring thefrequencyanddampingarelaiddowninparagraph 4.
3.DEFINITION OFFREQUENCY ANDDAMPING
Inthisdefinition asprungmassMkgaboveadrivingaxleorbogieisconsidered .Theaxle
orbogiehasatotalverticalstiffnessbetweentheroadsurfaceandthesprungmassof
KNewtons/metre(N/m)andatotaldampingcoefficient ofCNewtonspermetrepersecond
(N.s/m).Theverticaldisplacement ofthesprungmassisZ.Theequationofmotionforfree
oscillation ofthesprungmassis:
A/r^Z,n"Z .ivnM—rr+C—T—+kZ=0dt2 dt
Thefrequencyofoscillation ofthesprungmassFrad/secis:
F=KCLVM4M2
Thedamping iscriticalwhenC=Co,
where
Co=2/KM
ThedampingratioasafractionofcriticalisC/Co.

NoC38/12 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 8.2.94
Duringfreetransientoscillation ofthesprungmasstheverticalmotionofthemasswillfollowa
dampedsinusoidalpath(Figure2).Thefrequencycanbeestimatedbymeasuring thetimeforas
manycyclesofoscillation ascanbeobserved .Thedampingcanbeestimatedbymeasuring the
heightsofsuccessivepeaksoftheoscillation inthesamedirection .Ifthepeakamplitudes ofthe
firstandsecondcyclesoftheoscillation areAjandA2,thenthedampingratioDis
D=-^=—In—
Co 2% A?
Inbeingthenaturallogarithmoftheamplituderatio.
TESTPROCEDURE
ToestablishbytestthedampingratioD,thedampingratiowithhydraulicdampersremoved ,
andthefrequency Fofthesuspension ,theloadedvehicleshouldeither:
(a)bedrivenatlowspeed(5km/hr±1km/hr)overan80mmstepwiththeprofileshownin
Figure1.Thetransientoscillation tobeanalysedforfrequency anddampingoccursafter
thewheelsonthedrivingaxlehaveleftthestep;or
(b)bepulleddownbyitschassissothatthedrivingaxleloadis1,5timesitsmaximum static
value.Thevehicleholddownissuddenlyreleasedandthesubsequent oscillation analysed ;
or
(c)bepulledupbyitschassissothatthesprungmassisliftedby80mmabovethedrivingaxle.
Thevehicleholdupissuddenlydroppedandthesubsequent oscillation analysed ;or
(d)besubjectedtootherprocedures insofarasithasbeenprovedbythemanufacturer ,tothe
satisfaction ofthetechnicaldepartment ,thattheyareequivalent .
Thevehicleshouldbeinstrumented withaverticaldisplacement transducer betweendrivingaxle
andchassis,directlyabovethedrivingaxle.Fromthetrace,thetimeintervalbetweenthefirst
andsecondcompression peakscanbemeasuredtoobtainthefrequency Fandtheamplitude
ratiotoobtainthedamping .Fortwindrivebogies,verticaldisplacement transducers shouldbe
fittedbetweeneachdrivingaxleandthechassisdirectlyaboveit.
Figure1
Stepforsuspension tests
Figure2
Adampedtransientresponse

8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC38/13
ANNEX III
PLATERELATING TODIMENSIONS REFERRED TOINARTICLE 6(1)(a)
I.Theplaterelatingtodimensions ,asfaraspossibleaffixednexttotheplatereferredtoinDirective
76/114/EEC,mustcontainthefollowingdata:
1.Nameofthemanufacturer (');
2.Vehicleidentification number(*);
3.Lengthofthemotorvehicle,trailerorsemi-trailer (L);
4.Widthofthemotorvehicle,trailerorsemi-trailer (W);
5.Dataforthemeasurement ofthelengthofcombinedvehicles :
—thedistance(a)betweenthefrontofthemotorvehicleandthecentreofthecouplingdevice
(couplinghookorfifthwheel);inthecaseofafifthwheelwithseveralcouplingpoints,the
minimumandmaximum valuesmustbegiven(aminandamax),
—thedistance(b)betweenthecentreofthecouplingdeviceofthetrailer(fifthwheelring)orof
thesemi-trailer (kingpin)andtherearofthetrailerorofthesemi-trailer ;inthecaseofadevice
withseveralcouplingpoints,theminimumandmaximum valuesmustbegiven(bminandbmax).
Thelengthofcombinedvehiclesisthelengthofthemotorvehicleandtrailerorsemi-trailer placedina
straightlinebehindeachother.
II.Thevaluesgivenontheproofofcompliance shallincorporate exactlythemeasurescarriedoutdirectly
onthevehicle .
(')Thesedatamustnotberepeatedwherethevehiclecarriesasingleplatecontaining dataonbothweightsand
dimensions .
ANNEX IV
PARTA
REPEALED DIRECTIVES
(referredtoinArticle9)
Directive 85/3/EEContheweights,dimensions andcertainothertechnicalcharacteristics ofcertainroad
vehiclesandhersuccessive amendments :
—Directive 86/360/EEC,
—Directive 88/218/EEC,
—Directive 89/338/EEC,
—Directive 89/460/EEC,
—Directive 89/461/EEC,
—Directive 91/60/EEC,
—Directive 92/7/EEC;
Directive 86/364/EECrelatingtoproofofcompliance ofvehicleswithDirective 85/3/EEConthe
weights,dimensions andcertainothertechnicalcharacteristics ofcertainroadvehicles .

NoC38/14 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities 8.2.94
PARTB
Directive
85/3/EEC(OJNoL2,3.1.1985,p.14)Deadlineforimplementation
1July1986
1January1990
1July1991
1January1992
1January1993
29July1987
1January1989
1January199286/360/EEC(OJNoL217,5.8.1986,p.19)
86/364/EEC(OJNoL221,7.8.1986,p.48)
88/218/EEC(OJNoL98,15.4.1988,p.48)
89/338/EEC(OJNoL142,25.5.1989,p.3)
89/460/EEC(OJNoL226,3.8.1989,p.5)
89/461/EEC(OJNoL226,3.8.1989,p.7)
91/60/EEC(OJNoL37,9.2.1991,p.37)
92/7/EEC(OJNoL57,2.3.1992,p.29)1January1993/31December 1992
1January1991
1October 1991
1January1993

ANNEX V
CORRELATION TABLE8.2.94 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean CommunitiesThisDirective 85/3/EEC 86/360/EEC 86/364/EEC 88/218/EEC 89/338/EEC 89/460/EEC 89/461/EEC 91/60/EEC 92/7/EEC
Article 1(1) Article 1(1)
Article 1(1)(a) Article 1(1)
Article 1(1)(b) Article1(1)(b)
Article 1(2) Article 1(2)
Article2
Indents 1to10Article 1(2)
Article2
Indents 11to13
Article3 Article3
(1to2)
Article3(3)
Article4
Article5(1)Article 1(1)
Article5(2)Article 1(1)
Article6(1to4) Article 1
(1to4)
Article6(5to6) Article2
(1to2)
Article7 Article6
Article 8Article 1
Article9
Article10NoC38/15

NoC38/16ThisDirective 85/3/EEC 86/360/EEC 86/364/EEC 88/218/EEC 89/338/EEC 89/460/EEC 89/461/EEC 91/60/EEC 92/7/EEC
Article 11 Article9
AnnexI AnnexI
Point1 Point1
Point1.1' Article 1(2)
Point1.2(a)
Point1.2(b) Article 1(2)(b)
Point1.3to1.5 Point1.3to1.5
Point1.6 Article 1(3)
Point1.7to1.8 Article 1(3)
Point2to2.2.1(b) Point2to2.2.1
(b)
Point2.2.1(c)
Point2.2.2(atoc) Point2.2.2
(atoc)
Point2.2.2(d)
Point2.2.3
Point2.2.4.1Article 1(5)(b)
Point2.2.4.2 Article 1(1)(a)
Point2.3to
2.3.1Article 1(5)(c)
Point2.3.2to
2.3.3Article 1(1)
(btoc)OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities 8.2.94

8.2.94ThisDirective 85/3/EEC 86/360/EEC 86/364/EEC 88/218/EEC 89/338/EEC 89/460/EEC 89/461/EEC 91/60/EEC 92/7/EEC
Point2.4Article 1(5)(c)
Point3to
3.3.2Point3to
3.3.2
Point3.4to
3.4.1Article 1(3)
Point3.4.2to
3.5.2Article 1(5)(d)
Point3.5.3Article 1(1)(d)
Point4to
4.2Point4to
4.2
Point4.3Article 1(5)(e)
Point4.4Article 1(4)
AnnexII AnnexIII
AnnexIII AnnexIOfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities NoC38/17