No C 95/92 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 4. 90 
8. The fitting requirements have/have not (J) been met: 
9. Date of submission of vehicle for EEC type-approval: 
10. Technical department responsible for carrying out EEC type-approval: 
11. Date of test report issued by that department: 
12. Number of test report issued by that department: 
13. EEC type-approval granted/refused (*) in respect of the fitting of safety glazing: 
14. Place: 
15. Date: 
16. Signature: 
17. A list is attached of the documents submitted to the administrative department in the Member State having 
granted EEC type-approval. 
These documents may be obtained, on request by administrative departments in the other Member 
States. 
18. Remarks, if any: 
Delete whichever is inapplicable. 
Proposal for a Council Directive on the masses and dimensions of motor vehicles of category M^ 
COM(89) 453 final — SYN 237 
(Submitted by the Commission on 12 February 1990) 
(90/C 95/02) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Whereas measures should be adopted in order gradually to 
establish the internal market during a period expiring on 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 31 December 1992; whereas the internal market comprises 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a an entity without internal frontiers within which the free 
thereof, movement of goods, persons, services and capital is 
guaranteed; Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate, inter alia, to 
Committee, their masses and dimensions; 
12. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 95/93 
Whereas those requirements differ from one Member State to 
another; whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member 
States adopt the same requirements, either in addition to or in 
place of their existing rules in order to allow, in particular, 
the EEC type-approval procedure which was the subject of 
Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to 
the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers {l), as 
last amended by Directive 87/403/EEC (z), to be applied in 
respect of each type of vehicle; 
Whereas the provisions of this Directive, which is limited to 
motor vehicles of category Mi, are adopted in anticipation of 
the entry into force of the provisions relating to the masses 
and dimensions of all categories of motor vehicles and their 
trailers; 
Whereas Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC lays down a 
procedure for the adaptation to technical progress of the 
provisions of the Annexes thereto; whereas, however, 
technical progress makes prompt adaptation of the technical 
requirements laid down by the separate directive necessary; 
whereas the Commission should be made responsible for the 
adoption thereof in order to simplify and expedite the 
procedure; whereas in all cases where the Council confers 
powers upon the Commission to implement rules laid down 
in the motor vehicle sector it is appropriate to provide for a 
procedure of prior consultation between the Commission 
and the Member States within an advisory committee, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
For the purposes of this Directive, 'vehicle' means any motor 
vehicle in category Mt as defined in Annex I to Directive 
70/156/EEC, intended for use on the road, having at least 
four wheels and a maximum speed exceeding 25 km/h. 
Article 2 
Member States may not refuse EEC type-approval or 
national type-approval of a type of vehicle, or refuse or 
prohibit the sale, registration, entry into service or use of a 
vehicle on grounds relating to its masses and dimensions if 
these satisfy the requirements set out in Annex 1 hereto. Article 3 
Any amendments necessary to adapt the requirements of the 
Annexes to this Directive to technical progress shall be 
adopted by the Commission in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 4. 
Article 4 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an 
advisory nature composed of the representatives of the 
Member States and chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the 
committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The 
Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time 
limit which the chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, 
each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its 
position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the 
opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the 
committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken 
into account. 
Article 5 
Member States shall adopt and publish the provisions 
necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 January 
1992 and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
They shall apply these provisions from 1 October 1992. 
The provisions adopted pursuant to the first paragraph shall 
make express reference to this Directive. 
Article 6 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
I1) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 220, 8. 8. 1987, p. 44. 
No C 95/94 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 4. 90 
ANNEX I 
1. SCOPE 
This Directive applies to the masses and dimensions of motor vehicles in category M, as defined in Article 1. 
2. APPLICATION FOR EEC TYPE-APPROVAL 
2.1. Any application for the type approval of a vehicle in respect of its masses and dimensions shall be lodged by the 
manufacturer of the vehicle or by a duly authorized representative. 
2.2. It shall be accompanied by the following documents, in triplicate, and the following information: 
a description of the type of vehicle, specifying the characteristics listed in Annex II, together with the documents 
requested in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 70/156/EEC. 
2.3. A vehicle representative of the type to be type approved shall be presented to the technical department responsible for 
type-approval tests. 
3. EEC TYPE-APPROVAL 
A certificate identical with the model set out in Annex HI shall be attached to the EEC type-approval form. 
4. REQUIREMENTS 
4.1. Dimensions 
4.1.1. The maximum authorized dimensions of a vehicle are as follows: 
4.1.1.1. length: 12 000 mm; 
4.1.1.2. width: 2 500 mm; 
4.1.1.3. height: 4 000 mm; 
4.1.1.4. the dimensions shall be measured according to the provisions of the notes of Annex I to Directive 70/156/EEC. 
4.2. Mass 
4.2.1. The maximum authorized mass of a vehicle shall be the maximum technically permissible mass. 
The technically permissible maximum mass of the vehicle and of its axles shall be determined by its manufacturer, 
bearing in mind, in particular of the strength of the materials used and provided that the technically permissible 
maximum mass thus determined is not lower than the mass of the vehicle in running order, plus 75 kg for every 
passenger seat and the driver including the luggage which the vehicle is designed to carry. The number of seats must be 
stated by the manufacturer. The masses of the passengers and the luggage shall be positioned in the correct place to 
determine the technically permissible maximum mass of the vehicle and the axles. If the vehicle is intended to draw a 
trailer the technically permissible support load has to be taken into account for the determination of the maximum 
masses mentioned above. 
4.2.2.1. The sum of the technically permissible maximum masses of the axles shall not be less than the technically permissible 
maximum mass of the vehicle. Where the vehicle and, at the same time, its rear axle are laden to the technically 
permissible maximum mass, the mass bearing on the front axle must not be less than 30% of the technically 
permissible maximum mass of the vehicle. 
4.3. Towable mass and vertical load at the coupling 
4.3.1. Maximum authorized towable mass of the vehicle intended to draw a trailer equipped with a service braking 
device 
4.3.1.1. The maximum authorized towable mass of a vehicle is the technically permissible maximum mass based on the 
construction of the vehicle and the mechanical coupling device or the mass equal to the maximum authorized mass of 
the towing vehicle; the lower mass value shall apply. For the 4-wheel drive vehicle the maximum authorized towable 
mass can be increased up to 1,5 times the maximum authorized mass of the towing vehicle, taking into account the 
technically permissible maximum towable mass. 
However, in both cases the maximum towable mass of 3 500 kg shall not be exceeded. 
12. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 95/95 
4.3.1.2. The technically permissible maximum towable mass is that stated by the manufacturer, the towable mass being the 
total actual mass of the trailer drawn including the actual load on the coupling device. 
4.3.2. Maximum authorized towable mass of the vehicle intended to draw a trailer without a service braking device. 
4.3.2.1. The maximum authorized towable mass is the technically permissible towable mass or the mass equal to half of the 
mass of the towing vehicle in running order, including the driver's mass of 75 kg; the lower mass value shall apply. 
However, the maximum towable mass of 750 kg shall not be exceeded. 
4.3.2.2. The motor vehicle of category Mi towing a trailer without a service braking device shall provide a braking capability 
approximately equivalent to the requirements of Type-O test related to deceleration of Directive 71/320/EEC. 
4.3.3. The maximum permissible support load at the coupling device of the vehicle is the technically permissible support load, 
the support load being the actual vertical load transmitted when the vehicle is stationary, by the draw bar of the trailer 
to the coupling head and acting via the centre of the coupling device. 
4.3.3.1. The technically permissible support load is that stated by the manufacturer; this load shall not be less than 25 kg and be 
increased for greater towable masses. The manufacturer shall specify the conditions for the attachment of the coupling 
device to the motor vehicle, especially the overhang of the attachment. 
4.3.4. The motor vehicle towing a trailer shall be able to start the vehicle combination — laden to its maximum mass — five 
times on an uphill gradient of at least 12% within five minutes. 
4.3.5. The motor vehicle towing a trailer shall be capable of holding the combination of vehicles stationary on a 12% 
gradient with the parking brake of the towing vehicle, according to Directive 71/320/EEC. 
No C 95/96 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 4. 90 
ANNEX II 
MODEL INFORMATION DOCUMENT (a) 
The information relating to the vehicle, technical entity or component to be type approved shall be 
supplied in triplicate and shall include a list of contents. Drawings, if any, shall be supplied in 
appropriate scale and in sufficient detail on size A4 or folded to that size. Photographs, if any, shall 
show sufficient detail. In the case of microprocessor-controlled functions supply relevant 
performance-related information. 
0. GENERAL 
0.1. Make (trade name of manufacturer): 
0.2. Type and commercial description (mention any variants): .... 
0.3. Means of identification of type, if marked on the vehicle (b): 
0.3.1. Location of that marking: 
0.4. Category of vehicle (c): 
0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: 
0.6. Name and address of manufacturer's authorized representative (if any): 
0.7. Location of statutory plates and inscriptions and method of affixing: 
0.7.1. on the chassis: 
0.7.2. on the bodywork: 
0.8. The serial numbers of the chassis of this type commence at number: 
1. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE 
1.1. Photographs and/or drawings of a representative vehicle: 
1.2. Dimensional drawing of the whole vehicle: 
1.3. Number of axles and wheels: 
1.3.2. Number and position of steered axles: 
12. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 95/97 
1.3.3. Powered axles (number, position, interconnection): 
1.6. Position and arrangement of the engine: 
2. MASSES AND DIMENSIONS (e) (refer to drawing where applicable) 
2.1. Wheel base(s) (fully loaded) (f): 
2.3. Axle track(s) and width(s): 
2.3.1. Track of each steered axle (i): 
2.3.2. Track of all the other axles: 
2.3.3. Width of the widest rear axle: 
2.3.4. With of the rearmost axle: 
2.4. Range of vehicle dimensions (overall): 
2.4.1. For chassis with bodywork: 
2.4.2.1. Length (j): 
2.4.2.2. Width (k): 
2.4.2.3. Height (unladen) (1) (for suspension adjustable for height, indicate normal running position): 
2.4.2.4. Front overhang (m): 
2.4.2.4.1. Approach angle (off-road vehicles (c): (degrees) 
2.4.2.5. Rear overhang (n): 
2.4.2.5.1. Departure angle (off-road vehicles) (c): (degrees) 
2.4.2.6. Ground clearance (c): 
2.4.2.6.1. Ramp angle (off-road vehicles) (c): (degrees) 
2.6. Mass of the vehicle with bodywork in running order, or mass of the chassis with cab if the 
manufacturer does not fit the bodywork (including coolant, oils, fuel, tools, spare wheel and driver) 
(b): 
2.6.1. Distribution of this mass among the axles: 
2.8. Technically permissible maximum mass stated by the manufacturer: 
2.8.1. Distribution of this mass among the axles: 
2.9. Technically permissable maximum mass on each axle: 
2.10. Maximum mass of trailers which may be coupled: 
2.10.4. Maximum mass of the combination: 
2.10.5. The vehicle is/is not (x) suitable for towing loads/trailers 
2.10.6. Maximum mass of unbraked trailer: 
No C 95/98 Official Journal of the European Communities 12 4 90 
2 12 Swept path 
2 13 Engine power/maximum mass ratio an kW/kg) 
2 14 Hill starting ability (with trailer) (degrees) 
2 15 Capacity to climb a gradient of (degrees) (off-road vehicles) 
11 LINKS BETWEEN DRAWING VEHICLES AND TRAILERS 
(5 Delete where inapplicable 
NB For footnotes (a) to (q) see Annex 1 to Directive 70/156/EEC, as last ammended by Directive 
(111/4141/88 Rev 2) 
12. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 95/99 
ANNEX III 
MODEL 
(maximum format: A4 (210 x 297 mm) 
EEC TYPE-APPROVAL CERTIFICATE 
(Vehicle) 
Name of 
administration 
Communication relating to: 
— type-approval (*) 
— extension of type-approval (i) 
— refusal of type-approval (J) 
of a type of vehicle in pursuance of the provisions of Dierective 
on masses and dimensions of motor vehicles of category Mi. 
EEC type-approval No: Extension No: 
SECTION I 
0.1. Make (name of undertaking): 
0.2. Type and commercial description (mention any variants): 
03. Means of identifying the type attached to the vehicle (a): 
0.3.1. Location of that information: 
0.4. Category of vehicle (b): 
0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: 
0.6. Name and address of manufacturer's authorized representative (if any): 
(') Delete where inapplicable. 
(a) Where used the means of identification can only appear on vehicles covered by the scope of the separate directive covering 
type-approval. Where the means of identifying the type consists of characters not relating to the description of the types of 
vehicles referred to in this information document these characters shall be replaced, in any such documents by the sign '?' 
(example: ABC?? 123??). 
(b) As referred to in note (b) to Annex 1 to Directive 70/156/EEC, as last amended by Directive 87/403/EEC. 
No C 95/100 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 4. 90 
SECTION II 
1. Additional information 
1.1. Length: (mm) 
1.2. Width: (mm) 
1.3. Height: (mm) 
1.4. Mass of vehicle in running order: 
1.5. Maximum authorized mass: (kg) 
1.6. Maximum axle masses: 
1.6.1. 1. Axle: 
2. Axle: 
3. Axle: (kg) 
(kg) 
(kg) 
1.7. Number of passenger seats (without driver) 
1.8. Maximum authorized towable mass (*): 
1.8.1. Trailer without service brake: 
1.8.2. Trailer with service brake: 
1.8.3. Maximum vertical load at the coupling (*): 
2. Technical department conducting tests: (kg) 
(kg) 
(kg) 
(kg) 
3. Date of test report: 
4. Number of test reports: 
5. Grounds justifying extension of type approval (if any): 
Comments (if any): 
Place: 
Date: 
Signature: 
10. The list of the various components of the type-approval file maintained by the administrative 
department having carried out type-approval, and which may be obtained on request, are set out in the 
Annex.