CELEX: 51993PC0679
Language: en
Date: 1993-12-15
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE LAYING DOWN MAXIMUM AUTHORISED WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS FOR ROAD VEHICLES OVER 3.5 TONNES CIRCULATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

8 . 2 . 94                               Official Journal of the European Communities                              No C 38 / 3
                                                                II
                                                        (Preparatory Acts)
                                                   COMMISSION
               Proposal for a Council Directive laying down maximum authorized weights and dimensions for
                               road vehicles over 3,5 tonnes circulating within the Community
                                                          (94/C 38 /03)
                                                 COM(93) 679 final — SYN 486
                                       (Submitted by the Commission on 15 January 1994)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,                                  Whereas these standards reflect a balance between the
                                                                    rational and economical use of the said commercial road
                                                                    vehicles, the requirements of infrastructure maintenance
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European               and those of road safety;
Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof,
                                                                    Whereas in order to ensure uniform applications of this
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,                  Directive in so far as it relates to special permits for
                                                                    vehicles or vehicle combinations carrying indivisible
                                                                    loads it is necessary to harmonize that notion ;
In cooperation with the European Parliament,
                                                                    Whereas the tonne is universally used and understood as
                                                                    the unit of measurement for vehicle weight and is,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and                    therefore, applied in this Directive whilst recognizing
Social Committee,                                                   that the formal unit of weight is the newton ;
Whereas Council Directive 85/3/EEC 0) on the weights,               Whereas, in the interest of the establishment and
dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of           operation of the internal market of the Community, the
certain road vehicles as set out in Annex I has been                scope of this Directive should also be extended to
substantially amended on a number of occasions ;                    national transport in so far as it concerns characteristics
whereas for reasons of clarity and rationality the said             that significantly affect the conditions of competition in
Directive should be consolidated in a single text,                  the transport sector, namely the maximum authorized
together with Council Directive 86/364 /EEC ;                       dimensions of vehicles and vehicle combinations and
                                                                    total weights for combinations with four, five or six
                                                                    axles ;
Whereas differences between standards in force in the
Member States with regard to the weights and                        Whereas for the other weight characteristics Member
 dimensions of commercial road vehicles could have an               States are authorized to apply weights on their territory
adverse effect on the conditions of competition and                 higher than those provided for in this Directive only to
constitute an obstacle to traffic between Member States ;           vehicles where they are used in domestic traffic ;
Whereas, under the principle of subsidiarity, action                Whereas the maximum permissible vehicle width of 1 ,50
 should be taken at Community level in order that such              metres can leave insufficient internal space to effect
obstacles be removed on a Community-wide basis ;                     efficient loading of pallets, which has given rise to
                                                                    application of different extra tolerances in the legislation
                                                                    of the Member States concerning domestic traffic and,
Whereas, in the framework of the common transport                   therefore, general adaptation to the current situation is
policy, common standards have been established for the              necessary in order to provide for clarity in technical
weights, dimensions and certain other characteristics of             requirements, bearing in mind the road safety aspects of
certain vehicles which permit the improved use of these             these characteristics ;
vehicles in traffic between Member States ;
                                                                    Whereas in order to encourage the use of means of
                                                                    transport which cause relatively less tear and wear to the
                                                                     infrastructure and in the light of technical progress of
 (') As last amended by Council Directive 92/7/EEC.                  axle configurations it is appropriate to allow for an
 ---pagebreak---  No C 38 / 4                           Official Journal of the European Communities                                        8 . 2 . 94
 increased maximum authorized total weight for six axle          Whereas in order to facilitate the monitoring of
 combinations when those combinations meet the criteria          compliance with the provisions of this Directive, it is
 for road friendly suspensions ;                                 necessary to ensure that vehicles carry proof of such
                                                                 compliance ;
 Whereas progress has been made in the completion of             Whereas this Directive must not affect the obligations of
 type approval directives for heavy goods vehicles and,          the Member States concering the deadlines for transpo­
 therefore, the requirements on conformity with charac­          sition into national law and for application indicated in
 teristics other than weights and dimensions as laid down        Annex IV, Part B,
 in Annex II to Directive 85 / 3 / EEC should be deleted :
                                                                 HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE :
 Whereas such a modification is also required in order to
 avoid rules conflicting with international conventions on                                    Article 1
 road traffic and circulation ;
                                                                  1.    This Directive applies to :
Whereas vehicles that carry or are destined to carry an          (a) the dimensions of vehicles with at least four wheels
 indivisible load that exceeds the weight or dimension                and a maximum speed in excess of 25 kilometres per
 characteristics of Annex I to this Directive will need to            hour, intended to be used on the road for :
 have a special permit to circulate issued by a competent
 authority designated by each Member State ;                          — either the carriage of goods where their
                                                                           maximum laden weight is greater than 3,5
                                                                           tonnes ,
 Whereas diverging national rules on the overhanging of
 loads on vehicles are not deemed to cause major                      — or passenger transport where they have more
 distortions and, therefore, should not be harmonized at                   than nine seats , including the driver's seat ;
 this stage , without prejudice to further Community
 action ;                                                        (b) the weights and certain other characteristics of the
                                                                      vehicles defined in (a) and specified in Annex I (2).
Whereas in cases where in a Member State a clearly               2 . All the values of weights indicated in Annex I are
 defined sector of transport of freight or passengers that       valid as circulation standards and thus refer to loading
 does not significantly affect international transport           conditions, not production standards , which will be
 competition is undertaken by vehicles or vehicle combi­         defined in a later Directive .
 nations whose dimensions or total weights exceed those
 of this Directive, exemptions to the maximum weights                                         Article 2
 and dimensions should be granted to such sectors after
 informing the Commission and the other Member States ;          For the purpose of this Directive :
                                                                 — 'motor vehicle' shall mean any power-driven vehicle
Whereas technological developments that result in                    which travels on the road by its own means,
weights or dimensions exceeding those in this Directive
shall be granted exemptions for limited trial periods after      — 'trailer' shall mean any vehicle intended to be
informing the Commission and the other Member States ;               coupled to a motor vehicle excluding semi-trailers,
                                                                     and constructed and equipped for the carriage of
                                                                     goods,
Whereas vehicles which entered into service before the
adaptation of this Directive and which do not comply             — 'semi-trailer' shall mean any vehicle-intended to be
with the weight and dimension characteristics laid down              coupled to a motor vehicle in such a way that part of
in this Directive, due to former differing national                  it rests on the motor vehicle with a substantial part of
provisions or methods of measurement, should be                      its weight and of the weight of its load being borne
allowed to continue to provide transport within the                  by the motor vehicle, and constructed and equipped
Member State of registration for a transitional period ;             for the carriage of goods,
                                                                 — 'combined vehicle' shall mean either :
Whereas additional technical requirements related to the
weights and dimensions of commercial vehicles may                    — a road train consisting of a motor vehicle coupled
apply to vehicles registered in a Member State ; whereas                  to a trailer, or
these requirements must not constitute an obstacle to the
circulation of commercial vehicles between Member                    — an articulated vehicle consisting of a motor
States ;                                                                 vehicle coupled to a semi-trailer,
 ---pagebreak--- 8 . 2 . 94                                Official Journal of the European Communities                               No C 38 / 5
— 'thick-walled refrigerated vehicle' shall mean any                — all maximum authorized dimensions specified in
     vehicle whose fixed or movable superstructures are                  Annex I shall be measured in accordance with Annex
      specially equipped for the carriage of goods at                    I to Directive 70 / 156 /EEC, as last amended by
      controlled temperatures in accordance with classes B,              Directive 92 / 53 / EEC .
      C , E and F of the Agreement of 1 September 1970
      on the International Carriage of Perishable Food­
       stuffs and on the Special Equipment to be used for                                        Article 3
       such Carriage (ATP) and whose side walls, inclusive           1 . Member States may not reject or prohibit the use
       of insulation, are each at least 45 millimetres thick,
                                                                     on their territories vehicles registered or put into circu­
                                                                     lation in any Member State for reasons relating to their
                                                                     weights and dimensions provided that such vehicles
— 'bus ' shall mean a vehicle with more than nine seats              comply with the limit values specified in Annex I.
       including the driver's seat, and constructed and
       equipped to carry passengers and their luggage . It
       may have one or two decks and may also draw a                 This provision shall apply notwithstanding the fact that
       luggage trailer,
                                                                     (a) the said vehicles are not in conformity with the
— 'articulated bus' shall mean a bus consisting of two                    requirements of the Member States concerned with
       rigid sections connected to each other by an                       regard to certain weight and dimension charac­
       articulated section . On this type of vehicle the                  teristics not covered by Annex I ;
       passenger compartments in each of the two rigid
       sections shall be intercommunicating. The articulated
       section shall permit the free movement of travellers          (b) the competent authority of the Member State in
       between the rigid sections . Connection and discon­                which the vehicles are registered or put into circu­
       nection of the two sections shall be possible only in a            lation has authorized limits exceeding those laid
       workshop,                                                          down in Annex I.
— ' maximum authorized dimensions' shall mean the                    2.     However, the provisions in paragraph 1 (a) shall
       maximum dimensions at which a vehicle is authorized           not affect the right of Member States, with due regard to
       for use under this Directive by the competent                 Community law, to require vehicles registered or put
       authority of the State in which the vehicle is                into circulation in their own territory to be in conformity
       registered or put into circulation,                           with their national requirements on weight and
                                                                     dimension characteristics not covered by Annex I.
 — 'maximum authorized weight' shall mean the
       maximum weight at which a laden vehicle is auth­                                           Article 4
       orized for use under this Directive by the competent          1.     Member States shall not allow the normal circu­
       authority of the State in which the vehicle is                lation of vehicles or vehicle combinations on their
       registered or put into circulation,                           territory which are not in conformity with the charac­
                                                                     teristics of Annex 1 , points 1 , 2.2 and 4.4 .
— 'maximum authorized axle weight' shall mean the
       maximum weight at which a laden axle or group of              2 . Member States may allow circulation on their
       axles is authorized for use under this Directive by the       territory of vehicles or vehicle combinations which are
       competent authority of the State in which the vehicle         not in conformity with characteristics fixed in Annex 1 ,
       is registered or put into circulation,                        points 2.1 , 2.3 , 2.4, 3 , 4.1 , 4.2 and 4.3 .
— 'indivisible load' shall mean a load that cannot for               3.     Vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed
       the purpose of carriage on the road be divided into           these maximum characteristics may only be authorized to
       two or more loads without undue expense or risk of            circulate on the basis of special permits issued without
       damage and which owing to its dimensions or masses            discrimination by competent authorities when these
       cannot be carried by a motor vehicle, trailer, road           vehicles or vehicle combinations carry or are destined to
       train or articulated vehicle, complying with the              carry indivisible loads .
       provisions of this Directive in all respects,
                                                                     4 . Member States may allow vehicles or vehicle
— the unit 'tonne' shall mean the weight executed by                 combinations used for freight or passenger transport,
       the mass of a tonne and shall correspond to 9,8 kilo­         which are engaged in certain transport operations that
       newtons (kN),                                                 do not affect significantly international competition in
 ---pagebreak---  No C 38 / 6                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                    8 . 2 . 94
the transport sector, to circulate on their territory with         (b) a single plate established and attached in accordance
dimensions or weights exceeding those of Annex I,                       with Directive 76/ 114 /EEC and containing the
points 1 , 2.2 and 4.4. They shall inform the Commission                information on the two plates referred to in (a) ;
and other Member States thereof.
                                                                   (c) a single document issued by the competent auth­
                                                                        orities of the Member State in which the vehicle is
 5 . Vehicles or vehicle combinations incorporating new                 registered or put into circulation. Such document
technologies or concepts which cannot comply with one                   shall bear the same headings and information as the
or more requirements of this Directive may be permitted                 plates referred to in (a). It shall be kept in a place
to engage in certain local transport operations for a trial             easily accessible to inspection and shall be adequately
period. The Member State shall inform the Commission                    protected .
and other Member States thereof.
                                                                   2 . If the characteristics of the vehicle no longer
                                                                   correspond to those indicated on the proof of
6 . Member States may allow vehicles or vehicle                    compliance, the Member State in which the vehicle is
combinations used for freight or passenger transport and           registered shall take the necessary steps to ensure that
registered before 1 January 1995 to circulate on their             the proof of compliance is altered .
territory with dimensions and weights exceeding those of
Annex I, points 1 , 2.2 and 4.4, due to former differing
national provisions or methods of measurement until 31             3 . The plates and documents referred to in paragraph
December 2000 .                                                    1 shall be recognized by the Member States as the proof
                                                                   of vehicle compliance provided for in this Directive.
                         Article 5                                 4.    Vehicles carrying proof of compliance may be
 1 . Articulated vehicles put into circulation before 1            subject :
January 1991 which do not comply with the new specifi­
cations contained in points 1.6 and 4.4 of Annex I shall          — as regards common standards on weights , to random
be deemed to comply with such specifications for the                   checks,
purposes of Article 3 if they do not exceed the total
length of 15,50 metres .
                                                                  — as regards common standards on dimensions, only to
                                                                       checks where there is a suspicion of non-compliance
                                                                       with this Directive .
2 . For the purposes of Article 3 road trains the motor
vehicle of which was put into circulation before 31
December 1991 which do not comply with the                         5 . The middle column of the proof of compliance
requirements of sections 1.7 and 1.8 of Annex I shall             relating to weights shall contain, where appropriate, the
until 31 December 1998 be deemed to conform to such               Community weight standards applicable to the vehicle in
requirements provided that they do not exceed the total           question.
length of 18,00 metres.
                                                                  As regards vehicles referred to in section 2.2.2 (c) of
                                                                  Annex I, the entry '(44 tonnes)' shall be included in
                         Article 6                                brackets under the maximum authorized weight of the
                                                                  combined vehicle .
1.    Member States shall take the necessary measures to
ensure that the vehicles referred to in Article 2 and
complying with this Directive carry one of the proofs             6 . Each Member State may decide, in respect of any
referred to in (a), (b) and (c):                                  vehicle registered or put into circulation in its territory,
                                                                  other than those covered by point 2.2 of Annex I that the
                                                                  maximum weights authorized by its national legislation
(a) a combination of the following two plates :                   shall be indicated in the proof of compliance in the
                                                                  left-hand column and the technically permissible weights
                                                                  indicated in the right-hand column.
     — the     'manufacturer's   plate'    established   and
        attached    in    accordance       with     Directive
                                                                                              Article 7
        76 / 114/EEC,
                                                                  This Directive shall not preclude the application of road
                                                                  traffic provisions in force in each Member State which
     — the plate relating to dimensions, in accordance            permit the weight and /or dimensions of vehicles on
        with Annex III and established and attached in            certain roads or civil engineering structures to be limited,
        accordance with Directive 76 / 114 / EEC :                irrespective of the State of registration of such vehicles .
 ---pagebreak---  8 . 2 . 94                                  Official Journal of the European Communities                                  No C 38 /7
                                   Article 8                                       (iv) 27 tonnes for the vehicles referred to in point
                                                                                         2.4,
Article 3 shall not apply in Ireland and the United
 Kingdom until 31 December 1998 :                                         — as regards the standard referred to in point 3.4 of
                                                                               Annex I, with the exception of the vehicles referred
                                                                               to in point 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 of Annex I, where the
— as regards the standards referred to in points 2.2,                          weight per driving axle does not exceed 10,5 tonnes.
       2.3.1 , 2.3.3 , 2.4 and 3.3.2 of Annex I :
                                                                                                      Article 9
      — with the exception of the articulated vehicles                    The Directives listed in Annex IV, Part A are hereby
            referred to in point 2.2.2 where :                            repealed, without prejudice to the obligations of the
                                                                           Member States concerning the deadlines for transposal
                                                                          set out in Annex IV, Part B.
              (i) the total laden weight does not exceed 38
                  tonnes ;
                                                                          References to the repealed Directives shall be construed
                                                                          as reference to this Directive and should be read in
                                                                          accordance with the correlation table set out in Annex V.
             (ii) the weight on any tri-axle at the spacing
                  specified in point 3.3.2 of Annex I does not
                  exceed 22,5 tonnes ,                                                               Article 10
                                                                           1 . Member States shall bring into force the laws,
      — with the exception of the vehicles referred to in                 regulations and administrative provisions necessary to
           points 2.2.3 , 2.2.4, 2.3 and 2.4, where the total             comply with this Directive before 1 January 1995 . They
           laden weight does not exceed :                                 shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
                                                                          When Member States adopt these provisions , these shall
              (i) 35 tonnes for the vehicles referred to in               contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accom­
                  points 2.2.3 and 2.2.4 ;                                panied by such reference at the time of their official
                                                                          publication . The procedure for such reference shall be
                                                                          adopted by Member States .
             (ii) 1 7 tonnes for the vehicles referred to in point
                  2.3.1 ;                                                 2.     Member       States   shall   communicate    to   the
                                                                          Commission the texts of the main provisions of domestic
                                                                          law which they adopt to comply with this Directive.
           (iii) 30 tonnes for the vehicles referred to in point
                  2.3.3 , subject to compliance with the                                             Article 11
                  conditions specified in that point and in
                  point 4.3 ;                                             This Directive is addressed to the Member States .
                                                                ANNEX I
                   MAXIMUM WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS AND RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF VEHICLES
1.             Maximum authorized dimensions for the vehicles referred to
               in Article 1 ( 1 ) (a)
1.1 .          Maximum length :
               —  motor vehicle                                                  12,00  m
               —  trailer                                                        12,00  m
               —  articulated vehicle                                            16,50  m
               —  road train                                                     18,35  m
              —   articulated bus                                                18,00  m
 ---pagebreak---  No C 38 / 8                                     Official Journal of the European Communities                                      8 . 2 . 94
 1.2 .    Maximum width :
          (a) all vehicles                                                        2,55 m
          (b) refrigerated superstructures of thick-walled refrigerated
               vehicles                                                           2,60 m
 1.3 .    Maximum height (any vehicle)                                            4,00 m
 1.4 .    Removable superstructures and standardized freight items
          such as containers are included in the dimensions specified
          in 1.1 , 1.2 , 1.3 , 1.6 , 1.7 , 1.8 , 4.4 .
 1.5 .    Any motor vehicle or combined vehicle which is in motion
          must be able to turn within a swept circle having an outer
          radius of 12,50 m and an inner radius of 5,30 m .
 1.6 .    Maximum distance between the axis of the fifth-wheel king
          pin and the rear of a semi-trailer                                      12,00 m
 1 .7.    Maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis
          of the road train from the foremost external point of the
          loading area behind the cabin to the rearmost external point
          of the trailer of the combination, minus the distance between
          the rear of the drawing vehicle and the front of the trailer            15,65 m
 1.8 .    Maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis
          of the road train from the foremost external point of the
          loading area behind the cabin to the rearmost external point
          of the trailer of the combination                                       16,00 m
2.        Maximum authorized vehicle weight (in tonnes)
2. 1 .     Vehicles forming part of a combined vehicle
2.1.1 .  Two-axle trailer                                                        18 tonnes
2.1.2 .  Three-axle trailer                                                      24 tonnes
2.2.      Combined vehicles
2.2.1 .  Road trains with five or six axles
         (a) two-axle motor vehicle with three-axle trailer                      40 tonnes
         (b) three-axle motor vehicle with two-axle trailer                      40 tonnes
         (c) three-axle motor vehicle                                            40 tonnes ,
              with three-axle trailer                                            44 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 II,
                                                                                 or where each driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and
                                                                                 where the maximum weight for each axle does not
                                                                                 exceed 9,5 tonnes .
2.2.2 .  Articulated vehicles with five or six axles
         (a) two-axle motor vehicle with three-axle semi-trailer                 40 tonnes
         (b) three-axle motor vehicle with two-axle semi-trailer                 40 tonnes
         (c) three-axle motor vehicle with two or three-axle semi­
              trailer carrying a 40-foot ISO container as a combined
              transport operation                                               44 tonnes
 ---pagebreak--- 8 . 2 . 94                                  Official Journal of the European Communities                                 No C 38 /9
           (d) Three-axle motor vehicle                                     40 tonnes,
                with three-axle semi-trailer                                44 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 II
                                                                            or where each driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and
                                                                            where the maximum weight for each axle does not
                                                                            exceed 9,5 tonnes
2.2.3 .    Road trains with four axles consisting of a two-axle motor
           vehicle and a two-axle trailer                                   36 tonnes
2.2.4.     Articulated vehicles with four axles consisting of a two-axle
           motor vehicle and a two-axle semi-trailer, if the distance
           between the axles of the semi-trailer :
2.2.4.1 .  is 1,3 m or greater but not more than 1,8 m                      36 tonnes
2.2.4.2.   is greater than 1,8 m                                            36 tonnes -I- 2 tonnes margin when the maximum auth­
                                                                            orized weight (MAW) of the motor vehicle ( 18 tonnes)
                                                                            and the MAW of the tandem axle of the semi-trailer (20
                                                                            tonnes) are respected and the driving axle is fitted with
                                                                            twin tyres and air suspension or suspension recognized
                                                                            as being equivalent within the Community as defined in
                                                                            Annex II .
2.3 .      Motor vehicles
2.3.1 .    Two-axle motor vehicles                                          18 tonnes
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 II,
                                                                            or where each driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and
                                                                            the maximum weight of each axle does not exceed
                                                                            9,5 tonnes ;
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 II,
                                                                            or where each driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and
                                                                            the maximum weight of each axle does not exceed
                                                                            9,5 tonnes :
2.4 .      Three-axle articulated buses                                     28 tonnes
3.         Maximum authorized axle weight of the vehicles referred to
           in Article 1 ( 1 ) (b) (in tonnes)
3.1 .      Single axles
           Single non-driving axle                                           10 tonnes
3.2 .       Tandem axles of trailers and semi-trailers
           The sum of the axle weights per tandem axle must not
           exceed , if the distance (d) between the axle is
3.2.1 .    less than 1 m (d < 1,0)                                          11 tonnes
3.2.2 .    between 1,0 m and less than 1,3 m ( 1,0 < d < 1,3)               16 tonnes
3.2.3 .    between 1,3 m and less than 1,8 m ( 1,3 < d < 1,8)               18 tonnes
3.2.4 .     1,8 m and more ( 1,8 < d)                                       20 tonnes
                                                                                                                                       /
 ---pagebreak---  No C 38 / 10                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                      8 . 2 . 94
 3.3 .     Tri-axles of trailers and semi-trailers
          The sum of the axle weights per tri-axle must not exceed, if
          the distance (d) between the axles is
 3.3.1 .   1,3 m or less (d < 1,3)                                         21 tonnes
 3.3.2 .   over 1,3 m and up to 1,4 m ( 1,3 < d < 1,4)                     24 tonnes
 3.4.      Driving axle
 3.4.1 .  Driving axle of the vehicles referred to in sections 2.2.1 and
          2.2.2                                                            11,5 tonnes
 3.4.2 .  Driving axle of the vehicles referred to in sections 2.2.3,
          2.2.4 , 2.3 and 2.4                                              11,5 tonnes
 3.5 .     Tandem axles of motor vehicles
          The sum of the axle weights per tandem axle must not
          exceed, if the distance (d) between the axles is :
3.5.1 .   less than 1 m (d < 1,0)                                          11,5 tonnes
3.5.2 .    1,0 m or greater but less than 1,3 m ( 1,0 m < d < 1,3 m)       16 tonnes
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 II,
                                                                           or where each driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and
                                                                           where the maximum weight for each axle does not
                                                                           exceed 9,5 tonnes
4.        Related characteristics of the vehicle referred to in Article 1
          ( 1 ) (b)
4.1 .    All vehicles
         The weight borne by the driving axle or driving axles of a
         vehicle or combined vehicle must not be less than 25 % of
          the total laden weight of the vehicle or combined vehicle,
         when used in international traffic.
4.2 .    Road trains
         The distance between the rear axle of a motor vehicle and
         the front axle of a trailer must not be less than 3,00 m .
4.3 .    Maximum authorized weight depending on the wheelbase
         The maximum authorized weight in tonnes of a four-axle
         motor vehicle may not exceed five times the distance in
         metres between the axes of the foremost and rearmost axles
         of the vehicle .
4.4 .    Semi-trailers :
         The distance measured horizontally between the axis of the
         fifth-wheel king pin and any point at the front of the semi­
         trailer must not exceed 2,04 m .
 ---pagebreak--- 8 . 2 . 94                          Official Journal of the European Communities                                   No C 38 / 11
                                                          ANNEX II
           CONDITIONS RELATING TO EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN CERTAIN NON-AIR SUSPENSION
                       SYSTEMS AND AIR SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE DRIVING AXLE(S)
           1.     DEFINITION OF SUSPENSION
                  A suspension system is considered to be air suspended if at least 75 % of the spring effect is
                  caused by the air spring.
           2.     EQUIVALENCE TO AIR SUSPENSION
                  A suspension recognized to be equivalent to air suspension must conform to the following :
           2.1 .  During free transient low frequency vertical oscillation of the sprung mass above a driving axle
                  or bogie, the measured frequency and damping with the suspension carrying its maximum load
                  must fall within the limits defined in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.5 .
           2.2 .  Each axle must be fitted with hydraulic dampers . On tandem axle bogies, the dampers must be
                  positioned to minimize the oscillation of the bogies .
           2.3 .  The mean damping ratio D must be more than 20 % of critical damping for the suspension in its
                  normal condition with hydraulic dampers in place and operating.
           2.4 .  The damping ratio D of the suspension with all hydraulic dampers removed or incapacitated
                  must be not more than 50 % of D.
           2.5 .  The frequency of the sprung mass above the driving axle or bogie in a free transient vertical
                  oscillation must not be higher than 2,0 Hz.
           2.6 .  The frequency and damping of the suspension are given in paragraph 3 . The test procedures for
                  measuring the frequency and damping are laid down in paragraph 4 .
           3.     DEFINITION OF FREQUENCY AND DAMPING
                  In this definition a sprung mass M kg above a driving axle or bogie is considered. The axle
                  or bogie has a total vertical stiffness between the road surface and the sprung mass of
                  K Newtons/ metre (N/m) and a total damping coefficient of C Newtons per metre per second
                  (N.s/m). The vertical displacement of the sprung mass is Z. The equation of motion for free
                  oscillation of the sprung mass is :
                  A /r
                  M
                        ^ Z
                        —rr
                                , n
                               + C
                                       " Z
                                         T—
                                       —dt
                                               . iv
                                               + kZ = 0
                                                         n
                         dt2
                 The frequency of oscillation of the sprung mass F rad/sec is :
                  F =            K          CL
                            V    M         4M2
                 The damping is critical when C = Co,
                 where
                 Co = 2 / KM
                 The damping ratio as a fraction of critical is C /Co.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 38 / 12                   Official Journal of the European Communities                                      8 . 2 . 94
             During free transient oscillation of the sprung mass the vertical motion of the mass will follow a
             damped sinusoidal path (Figure 2). The frequency can be estimated by measuring the time for as
             many cycles of oscillation as can be observed. The damping can be estimated by measuring the
             heights of successive peaks of the oscillation in the same direction. If the peak amplitudes of the
             first and second cycles of the oscillation are Aj and A2, then the damping ratio D is
             D = -^   Co
                            = — 2%
                                      In —A?
             In being the natural logarithm of the amplitude ratio.
             TEST PROCEDURE
             To establish by test the damping ratio D, the damping ratio with hydraulic dampers removed,
             and the frequency F of the suspension, the loaded vehicle should either :
             (a) be driven at low speed (5 km/hr ± 1 km/hr) over an 80 mm step with the profile shown in
                  Figure 1 . The transient oscillation to be analysed for frequency and damping occurs after
                  the wheels on the driving axle have left the step ; or
             (b) be pulled down by its chassis so that the driving axle load is 1,5 times its maximum static
                  value . The vehicle hold down is suddenly released and the subsequent oscillation analysed ;
                  or
             (c) be pulled up by its chassis so that the sprung mass is lifted by 80 mm above the driving axle .
                  The vehicle hold up is suddenly dropped and the subsequent oscillation analysed ; or
             (d) be subjected to other procedures in so far as it has been proved by the manufacturer, to the
                  satisfaction of the technical department, that they are equivalent.
             The vehicle should be instrumented with a vertical displacement transducer between driving axle
             and chassis, directly above the driving axle. From the trace, the time interval between the first
             and second compression peaks can be measured to obtain the frequency F and the amplitude
             ratio to obtain the damping . For twin drive bogies, vertical displacement transducers should be
             fitted between each driving axle and the chassis directly above it.
                                                       Figure 1
                                              Step for suspension tests
                                                       Figure 2
                                            A damped transient response
 ---pagebreak--- 8 . 2 . 94                                Official Journal of the European Communities                                        No C 38 / 13
                                                               ANNEX III
                        PLATE RELATING TO DIMENSIONS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 6 ( 1 ) (a)
            I. The plate relating to dimensions , as far as possible affixed next to the plate referred to in Directive
                76/ 114/EEC, must contain the following data :
                 1 . Name of the manufacturer (');
                2 . Vehicle identification number (*);
                3 . Length of the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer (L);
                4. Width of the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer (W);
                5 . Data for the measurement of the length of combined vehicles :
                     — the distance (a) between the front of the motor vehicle and the centre of the coupling device
                       (coupling hook or fifth wheel); in the case of a fifth wheel with several coupling points, the
                       minimum and maximum values must be given (a min and a max),
                     — the distance (b) between the centre of the coupling device of the trailer (fifth wheel ring) or of
                       the semi-trailer (kingpin) and the rear of the trailer or of the semi-trailer; in the case of a device
                       with several coupling points, the minimum and maximum values must be given (b min and b max).
                The length of combined vehicles is the length of the motor vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer placed in a
                straight line behind each other.
           II . The values given on the proof of compliance shall incorporate exactly the measures carried out directly
                on the vehicle .
           (') These data must not be repeated where the vehicle carries a single plate containing data on both weights and
                dimensions .
                                                              ANNEX IV
                                                                PART A
                                                     REPEALED DIRECTIVES
                                                       (referred to in Article 9)
           Directive 85 / 3 /EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road
           vehicles and her successive amendments :
           — Directive 86 / 360 / EEC ,
           — Directive 88 / 21 8 / EEC ,
           — Directive 89 / 338 / EEC ,
           — Directive 89 / 460 / EEC ,
           — Directive 89 / 461 / EEC ,
           — Directive 91 /60 /EEC,
           — Directive 92 /7 / EEC ;
           Directive 86/ 364/EEC relating to proof of compliance of vehicles with Directive 85 / 3 /EEC on the
           weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles .
 ---pagebreak--- No C 38 / 14                            Official Journal of the European Communities                          8 . 2 . 94
                                                                   PART B
                                    Directive                                   Deadline for implementation
             85 / 3 /EEC (OJ No L 2, 3 . 1 . 1985 , p. 14)                  1 July 1986
                                                                            1 January 1990
                                                                            1 July 1991
                                                                            1 January 1992
                                                                            1 January 1993
             86/ 360 /EEC (OJ No L 217, 5 . 8 . 1986, p. 19)
             86 / 364 / EEC (OJ No L 221 , 7 . 8 . 1986 , p . 48 )          29 July 1987
             88 /218 /EEC (OJ No L 98 , 15 . 4 . 1988 , p. 48)              1 January 1989
             89 / 338 / EEC ( OJ No L 142 , 25 . 5 . 1989 , p . 3)          1 January 1992
             89 /460/EEC (OJ No L 226, 3 . 8 . 1989, p. 5)                  1 January 1993 / 31 December 1992
             89 / 461 / EEC (OJ No L 226 , 3 . 8 . 1989 , p . 7)            1 January 1991
             91 /60 /EEC (OJ No L 37 , 9 . 2 . 1991 , p . 37)               1 October 1991
             92 / 7 / EEC (OJ No L 57 , 2 . 3 . 1992 , p . 29)              1 January 1993
 ---pagebreak---                                          ANNEX V
                                   CORRELATION TABLE                                                                                             8 . 2 . 94
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 (2)
                                                                                                                                                  Official
                                                                                                                                              Journal of the European
                                                                                          Article 1 ( 1 )
                                                                                                             Article 1 ( 1 )                       Communities
                 Article 1
                 (1 to 4)
                 Article 2
                 (1 to 2)
                                                                        Article 1
                                                                                                                                                    No C 38 / 15
 ---pagebreak--- 86 / 360 / EEC   86 / 364 / EEC    88 / 218 /EEC       89 / 338 / EEC     89 / 460 / EEC    89 / 461 / EEC     91 / 60 / EEC      92 / 7 / EEC
                                                                                                                                                         No C 38 / 16
                                                                                                             Article 1 (2)
                                  Article 1 (2) (b)
                                                                                                                                                          Official
                                                                                           Article 1 ( 3)
                                                                                                                                                      Journal of
                                                                                                             Article 1 (3)
                                                                                                                                                      the European Communities
                                                      Article 1 (5) (b)
                                                                                                                               Article 1 ( 1 ) ( a)
                                                      Article 1 (5) (c)
                                                                                                                               Article 1 ( 1 )
                                                                                                                               (b to c)                     8 . 2 . 94
 ---pagebreak--- 86 / 360 / EEC    86 / 364 / EEC   88 / 218 / EEC    89 / 338 / EEC     89 / 460 / EEC        89 / 461 / EEC   91 / 60 / EEC      92 / 7 / EEC
                                                                                                                                                         8 . 2 . 94
                                                    Article 1 (5) (c)
rticle 1 (3)
                                                    Article 1 (5) (d)
                                                                                                                               Article 1 ( 1 ) (d)
                                                    Article 1 (5) (e)                                                                                     Official
                                                                                             Article 1 (4)
                                                                                                                               Annex III             Journal
                 Annex
                                                                                         I
                                                                                                                                                     of the European Communities
                                                                                                                                                          No C 38 / 17