Commission Directive 2003/19/EC of 21 March 2003 amending, for the purposes of adapting to technical progress, Directive 97/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the masses and dimensions of certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-03-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, commercial vehicle, motor vehicle, road safety, technological change, weight and size

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COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2003/19/EC

of 21 March 2003

amending, for the purposes of adapting to technical progress, Directive 97/27/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council relating to the masses and dimensions of certain categories of motor
vehicles and their trailers

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Article 1

Having regard to 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 trai-
lers (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 2001/116/
EC (2), and in particular Article 13(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Directive 97/27/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 22 July 1997 relating to the masses and
dimensions of certain categories of motor vehicles and
their trailers and amending Directive 70/156/EEC (3), as
amended by Directive 2001/85/EC (4), is one of the sepa-
rate Directives under the EC type-approval procedure
established by Directive 70/156/EEC. The provisions of
systems,
Directive 70/156/EEC relating
components and separate technical units therefore apply
to Directive 97/27/EC.

to vehicle

In the light of experience gained with the application of
Directive 97/27/EC,
it is necessary to amend and to
specify more precisely certain provisions contained
therein in order to ensure uniform interpretation in all
Member States.

Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying
down for certain road vehicles circulating within the
Community the maximum authorised dimensions in
traffic and the maximum
national and international
authorised weights in international traffic (5), as amended
by Directive 2002/7/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council (6), increases the authorised dimensions of
certain motor vehicles and in particular the maximum
length of buses and coaches. In order to allow the EC
type-approval of
the maximum
authorised length it is necessary to amend the require-
ments of Directive 97/27/EC accordingly.

reaching

vehicles

(4)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the Committee for Adaptation
to Technical Progress established by Directive 70/156/
EEC,

(1) OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 18, 21.1.2002, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 233, 25.8.1997, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 42, 13.2.2002, p. 1.
(5) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 59.
(6) OJ L 67, 9.3.2002, p. 47.

Annexes I to IV to Directive 97/27/EC are amended in accor-
dance with the Annex to this Directive.

Article 2

1. With effect from 1 October 2003, in the case of vehicles
which comply with the requirements of Directive 97/27/EC, as
amended by this Directive, Member States shall not, on grounds
relating to the masses and dimensions:

(a) refuse, in respect of a type of motor vehicle of category M2,
M3, N or O, to grant EC type-approval or national type-
approval; or

(b) refuse, in respect of a type of motor vehicle of category M2,
to assign registration/in-service masses in

M3, N or O,
accordance with Annex IV (where required); or

(c) prohibit the registration, sale or entry into service of such

vehicles.

2. With effect from 1 October 2004, Member States shall
not grant EC type-approval, and may refuse to grant national
type-approval, for a type of vehicle of category M2, M3, N or O
the
on grounds relating to its masses and dimensions,
requirements of Directive 97/27/EC, as amended by this Direc-
tive, are not fulfilled.

if

Article 3

This Directive shall not
invalidate any approvals granted
pursuant to Directive 97/27/EC, nor prevent the extension of
such approvals in accordance with the Directive under which
they were granted.

Article 4

The United Kingdom and Portugal may, within their territory
until 9 March 2005, refuse to grant national type-approval of a
vehicle type, or refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry
into service or use of a vehicle, or consider its certificate of
conformity as not valid within the meaning of Article 7(1) of
Directive 70/156/EEC if the vehicle does not comply with the
manoeuvrability criteria specified in Article 8(a) of Directive
96/53/EC.

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Article 5

Article 6

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive by 30 September 2003 at the latest. They shall forth-
with inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such refer-
ence on the occasion of their official publication. Member
States shall determine how such reference is made.

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt
in the field governed by this Directive.

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following
that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Union.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Article 7

Done at Brussels, 21 March 2003.

For the Commission

Erkki LIIKANEN

Member of the Commission

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ANNEX

ANNEXES I TO IV TO DIRECTIVE 97/27/EC ARE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

A. Annex I is amended as follows:

1. Under the heading in section 2, the following is inserted:

‘The definitions as laid down in Annex I (including the footnotes) and in Annex II to Directive 70/156/EEC shall
apply to this Directive.’

2. Section 2.4.1 is amended as follows:

(a) the sixth and seventh indents are replaced by the following:

‘— mirrors and other devices for indirect vision,
— watching aids,’

(b) the tenth, eleventh and twelfth indents are replaced by the following:

‘— access steps and hand-holds,

— ram rubbers and similar equipment,
— lifting platforms, access ramps and similar equipment in running order, not exceeding 300 mm,

provided that the loading capacity of the vehicle is not increased;’

(c) the following fourteenth and fifteenth indents are added:

‘— trolley booms of electrically-propelled vehicles,

— external sun visors.’

3. Section 2.4.2 is amended as follows:

(a) the seventh indent is replaced by the following:

‘— mirrors and other devices for indirect vision,’

(b) the following eleventh and twelfth indents are added:

‘— watching aids;

— retractable lateral guidance devices on buses and coaches intended for use on guided bus systems, if not

retracted.’

4. In section 2.4.3, the second indent is replaced by the following:
‘— pantographs or trolley booms in their elevated position.’

5. In section 2.4.4, the second indent is replaced by the following:

‘— the devices mentioned in section 2.4.1’.

6. Section 2.5 is replaced by the following:

‘2.5. “Mass of the vehicle in running order” means the mass defined in section 2.6 of Annex I to Directive 70/

156/EEC.’

7. In section 2.6, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘The vehicle category is determined in accordance with Annex II to Directive 70/156/EEC.’

8. Sections 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9 are replaced by the following:

‘2.7. “Technically permissible maximum mass on the axle (m)” means the mass corresponding to the maximum
permissible static vertical load exerted by the axle on the road surface, based on the construction of the
vehicle and of the axle and as stated by the vehicle manufacturer.

In vehicles of category N1 the technically permissible maximum mass on the rear axle(s) may be exceeded
by not more than 15 % and the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle may be
exceeded by not more than 10 % or 100 kg, whichever is the lesser, to apply only in the case of a trailer
towing vehicle, provided that the operating speed is restricted to 80 km/h or less.

The vehicle manufacturer shall specify any such speed restriction or other operating conditions in the
owner's manual.

2.8. “Technically permissible maximum mass on a group of axles (µ)” means the mass corresponding to the
maximum permissible static vertical load exerted by the group of axles on the road surface, based on both
the construction of the vehicle and of the group of axles and as stated by the vehicle manufacturer.

2.9. “Towable mass” means the total load exerted on the road surface by the axle(s) of the towed vehicle(s).’

9. Section 2.11 is replaced by the following:

‘2.11. “Technically permissible maximum mass on the coupling point of a motor vehicle” means the mass
corresponding to the maximum permissible static vertical
load on the coupling point based on the
construction of the motor vehicle and/or coupling device and as stated by the manufacturer. By defini-
tion, this mass does not include the mass of the coupling device of the motor vehicle.’

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10. Section 2.13 is replaced by the following:

‘2.13. “Technically permissible maximum laden mass of the combination (MC)” means the total mass of a
combination of motor vehicle and trailer(s) as stated by the manufacturer. The maximum technically
permissible mass on the axle of the trailer should be used instead of the technically permissible maximum
laden mass M in the case of combinations with semi-trailers or centre-axle trailers.’

11. Section 2.19 is replaced by the following:

‘2.19. “Vehicle type” means vehicles which do not differ in such essential respects as:

— manufacturer,

— essential aspects of construction and design such as:

— for vehicles of categories M2 and M3:

— chassis/self supporting body, single/double deck, rigid/articulated (obvious and fundamental

differences),

— number of axles;

— for vehicles of category N:

— chassis/floor pan (obvious and fundamental differences),

— number of axles;

— for vehicles of category O:

— chassis/self-supporting body (obvious and fundamental differences), drawbar trailer/semi-

trailer/centre-axle trailer,

— braking system: unbraked/inertia/continuous,

— number of axles.

For the purposes of this section, aspects of construction and design, such as in particular the wheelbase,
axle design, suspension, steering, tyres and the corresponding modifications of the brake correcting device
for the axles, or the adjunction or suppression of reduction valves in relation to semi-trailer tractor and
lorry configurations, and equipment related to the chassis (e.g. engine, fuel tanks, transmission, etc.) are
not considered to be essential.’

12. Section 7.2 is replaced by the following:

‘7.2. Measurement of dimensions

Measurement of the overall length, width and height is carried out in accordance with the provisions of
section 2.4 on the vehicle(s) in running order submitted in accordance with section 3.3.

If the measured dimensions differ by more than 1 % from those stated by the manufacturer for the corre-
sponding technical configurations within the type, the measured dimensions are used for the purpose of
the requirements below and the technical service may then, if necessary, carry out additional measurements
on vehicles other than those submitted in accordance with section 3.3. The limit values laid down in
Annex I to Directive 96/53/EC may not, however, be exceeded.’

13. Sections 7.4.2.5 and 7.4.2.5.1 are replaced by the following:

‘7.4.2.5. When the vehicle is laden to its mass M according to any one of the relevant situations described in
sections 7.4.2.5.1 or 7.4.2.5.2 the mass corresponding to the load on the axle “i” must not exceed the
mass Mi on that axle, and the mass corresponding to the load on the solo axle or group of axles “j”
must not exceed the mass µ
j.

7.4.2.5.1. Uniform distribution of mass means the vehicle in running order with a mass of 75 kg positioned on
every passenger seat is laden to its mass M, the payload being uniformly distributed on the area
designed for the transportation of goods.’

14. Sections 7.4.2.5.1.1 and 7.4.2.5.1.2 are deleted.

15. Section 7.4.2.5.2 is replaced by the following:

‘7.4.2.5.2. In the case of extreme distribution of mass (non-uniform load), the manufacturer must state the
extreme permissible possible positions of the centre of gravity of the payload and/or body and/or
equipment or interior fittings (for instance: from 0,50 m to 1,30 m in front of the first rear axle),
with the vehicle in running order and a mass of 75 kg positioned on every passenger seat being
laden to its mass M.’

16. Sections 7.4.2.5.2.1 to 7.4.2.5.3.2 are deleted.

17. Section 7.4.3.2 is replaced by the following:

‘7.4.3.2. The mass of the vehicle in running order, plus the mass Q multiplied by the number of seated and
standing passengers, plus the masses WP, B and BX as defined in section 7.4.3.3.1, plus the technical
permissible maximum mass on the coupling point, if a coupling is fitted by the manufacturer, shall not
exceed the mass M.’

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18. Section 7.4.3.3.1 is replaced by the following:

‘7.4.3.3.1. The vehicle in running order is loaded with: a mass corresponding to the number P of seated passen-
gers, of mass Q; a mass corresponding to the number SP of standing passengers, of mass Q uniformly
distributed over the surface available for standing passengers S1; where appropriate, a mass WP
uniformly distributed over each wheelchair space; a mass equal to B (kg) uniformly distributed in the
baggage compartments; a mass equal to BX (kg) uniformly distributed over the surface area of the
roof equipped for the carriage of baggage, where:
P is the number of seating places.

S1 is the area for standing passengers. In the case of vehicles of classes III or B, S1 = 0.

SP, declared by the manufacturer, must not exceed the value S1/Ssp, where Ssp is the conventional
space provided for one standing passenger specified in the table below.

WP (kg), is the number of wheelchair spaces multiplied by 250 kg representing the mass of a wheel-
chair and user.

B (kg), declared by the manufacturer, must have a numeric value not less than 100 × V. This shall
include baggage compartments or racks that may be attached to the outside of the vehicle.

V is the total volume of baggage compartments in m3. When approving a vehicle of Class I or A, the
volume of baggage compartments accessible only from the outside of the vehicle shall be disre-
garded.

BX, declared by the manufacturer, must have a numeric value not less than 75 kg/m2. Double deck
vehicles shall not be equipped for the carriage of baggage on the roof and therefore BX for double
deck vehicles shall be zero.

Q and Ssp have values laid down in the following table:

Vehicle Class

Q (kg) mass of one passenger

Ssp (m2/passenger) conventional
space for one standing passenger

Class I and A

Class II

Class III and B

(*) Including 3 kg for hand baggage.’

68

71 (*)

71 (*)

0,125

0,15

None

19. The following sections 7.4.3.3.2 to 7.4.3.3.2.3 are inserted:

‘7.4.3.3.2.

In the case of a vehicle equipped with a variable seating capacity, area available for standing passen-
gers (S1) and/or equipped for the carriage of wheelchairs, the requirements of sections 7.4.3.2 and
7.4.3.3 shall be determined for each of the following conditions as applicable.

7.4.3.3.2.1. With all possible seats occupied followed by the remaining area for standing passengers (up to the
standing capacity limit declared by the manufacturer, if reached) and, if space remains, any wheel-
chair spaces occupied.

7.4.3.3.2.2. With all possible standing areas occupied (up to the standing capacity limit declared by the manu-
facturer) followed by the remaining seats available for seated passengers and, if space remains, any
wheelchair spaces occupied.

7.4.3.3.2.3. With all possible wheelchair spaces occupied followed by the remaining area for standing passen-
gers (up to the standing capacity limit declared by the manufacturer, if reached) and then the
remaining seats available for use occupied.’

20. Section 7.4.3.4 is replaced by the following:

‘7.4.3.4. When the vehicle is in running order or laden as specified in section 7.4.3.3.1, the mass corresponding
to the load on the front axle or group of axles must not be less than the percentage of the mass of the
vehicle in running order or of the technically permissible maximum laden mass “M” laid down in the
following table:

Classes I and A

Class II

Classes III and B

Rigid

20

Articulated

20

Rigid

25 (1)

Articulated

20

Rigid

25 (1)

Articulated

20

(1) This figure is reduced to 20 % for three axle vehicles of classes II and III having two steered axles.’

21. The following section 7.4.3.5 is inserted:

‘7.4.3.5. Where a vehicle is to be approved to more than one Class, sections 7.4.3.2 and 7.4.3.3 shall apply to

each Class.’

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22. In section 7.4.4, the title is replaced by the following:

‘7.4.4. Requirements for trailer caravans’.

23. In section 7.6.1, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘For motor vehicles and semi-trailers with axle-lift devices (see section 2.14), this requirement also applies with
the retractable axle(s) in the lifted position or loadable axle(s) in the unladen condition. Starting aids such as
retractable axles fulfilling the requirements of section 3.5 of Annex IV are exempt from this requirement.’

24. Sections 7.6.2, 7.6.3 and 7.6.4 are replaced by the following:
‘7.6.2. Additional requirements for vehicles of category N:

When the vehicle is stationary and has its steered wheels so directed that if the vehicle moved, its outer-
most forward point would describe a circle of 12,50 m radius, a vertical plane tangential to the side of
the vehicle which faces outwards from the circle must be established by marking a line on the ground.

When the vehicle moves forward on either side following the circle of 12,50 m radius, no part of it may
move outside the vertical plane by more than 0,80 m (see figure B).

For vehicles with an axle-lift device this requirement also applies with the axle(s) in the lifted position
(within the meaning of 2.14). For vehicles of Category N with retractable axles in the lifted position, or
loadable axles in the unladen condition, the figure of 0,80 m is replaced by 1,00 m.

7.6.3. Additional requirements for vehicles of categories M2 or M3

With the vehicle stationary, a vertical plane tangential to the side of the vehicle and facing outwards from
the circle shall be established by marking a line on the ground. In the case of an articulated vehicle, the
two rigid portions shall be aligned with the plane. When the vehicle moves from a straight line approach
into the circular area described in section 7.6.1, no part of it shall move outside of that vertical plane by
more than 0,60 m (see figures C and D).

7.6.4. The requirements of sections 7.6.1 to 7.6.3 may also be verified, at the request of the manufacturer, with

an appropriate equivalent calculation or geometric demonstration.

If, at the request of the manufacturer, vehicles of category N without steered rear axles are verified
according to their geometric characteristics: a vehicle is deemed to comply with the requirements of para-
graph 7.6.2 above if its rear overhang is not more than 60 % of the vehicle wheelbase.’

25. In section 7.6.3, figure C is replaced by the following:

Figure C

R = 12,5 m
r
U = maximum 0,6

= 5,3 m

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26. In Section 7.6.3, the following figure D is added:

Figure C

R = 12,5 m

r

= 5,3 m

U = maximum 0,6

27. The following section 7.6.5 is inserted:

‘7.6.5. In the case of incomplete vehicles, the manufacturer must declare the maximum permissible dimensions

for which the vehicle is to be checked against the requirements of sections 7.6.1 to 7.6.3.’

28. Sections 7.8.1 and 7.8.2 are replaced by the following:

‘7.8.1. The technically permissible maximum mass on the coupling point of a motor vehicle designed to tow a
centre-axle trailer and with a technically permissible maximum towable mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes must
be at least equal to 10 % of its technically permissible maximum towable mass, or 1 000 kg, whichever
is the lesser.

7.8.2. The technically permissible maximum mass on the coupling point of a motor vehicle designed to tow a
centre-axle trailer and with a technically permissible maximum towable mass not exceeding 3,5 tonnes
must be at least equal to 4 % of its technically permissible maximum towable mass, or 25 kg, whichever
is the greater.’

29. Section 7.10 is replaced by the following:

‘7.10. Engine power/maximum mass ratio

Motor vehicles must provide an engine power output of at least 5 kW/t of the technically permissible
maximum laden mass of the combination. In the case of a road tractor, the engine power must be at least
2,2 kW/t. The engine power is measured according to the provisions of Council Directive 80/1269/
EEC (*).

(*) OJ L 375, 31.12.1980, p. 46.’

B. Annex II is amended as follows:

1. Section 0.2 is replaced by the following:

‘0.2. Type.’

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2. Section 13 is replaced by the following:

C. Annex III is amended as follows:

In the Appendix, the following section 1.24.3 is inserted:

‘1.24.3. Number of wheelchair places for category M2 and M3 vehicles (2):’

D. Annex IV is amended as follows:

1. Section 1.3.3 is deleted.

2. Section 2.2.1 is amended as follows:

(a) point (c) is replaced by the following:

‘c) vehicles with a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 t only intended to tow trailers with inertia (overrun)
braking systems: the registration/in-service maximum permissible laden mass of the vehicle, or, for off-
road vehicles (see section 7.5 of Annex I), 1,5 times that mass with a maximum of 3,5 t;’

(b) point (e) is replaced by the following:

‘e) vehicles intended to tow trailers, apart from semi-trailers, with continuous braking systems: 1,5 times the

registration/in-service maximum permissible laden mass of the vehicle.’

3. In section 2.2.1, the last line of the first paragraph, which reads ‘provided that all the relevant technical provisions

of Directive 96/53/EC are fulfilled’ is deleted.

4. In section 3.2, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘To that end the retractable or loadable axle must lower to the ground or be loaded automatically if the nearest
axle(s) of the group or the front axle of the motor vehicle is (are) laden to its (their) registration/in-service
maximum permissible mass(es).’

5. Section 3.3 is deleted.

6. In section 3.5.1, the fourth indent is replaced by the following:

‘— after the motor vehicle has moved off and before it exceeds a speed of 30 km/h, the axle must automatically

lower again to the ground or be reloaded.’