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Introduction

Type-approval is the procedure whereby a Type Approval Authority certifies that a type of vehicle, component or separate technical unit that satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements.
 

Definitions

  • Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): means a vehicle of category M, N or O having specific technical features in order to perform a function which requires special arrangements and/or equipment. eg: ambulance and hearse. 
  • Incomplete vehicle: means any vehicle which must undergo at least one further stage of completion in order to meet the relevant technical requirements (e.g. chassis cab).
  • Completed vehicle: means a vehicle, resulting from the process of multi-stage type-approval, which meets the relevant technical requirements (e.g. chassis cab that has body attached by one manufacturer, additional lighting attached by another manufacturer).
  • Complete vehicle: means any vehicle which need not be completed in order to meet the relevant technical requirements (e.g. passenger car).
  • Multi-stage type-approval: means the procedure whereby one or more Member States certify that, depending on the state of completion, an incomplete or completed type of vehicle satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements

Vehicle Categories

  • Category M: Motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of persons and their luggage.
  • Category N: Motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods.
  • Category O: Trailers designed and constructed for the carriage of goods or of persons as well as for the accommodation of persons. 
 
Vehicle Category
Sub - Category
Maximum number of passengers (not including the driver)
Maximum Mass (M)
M
(e.g. passenger cars, mini buses, coaches, etc)
 
M1
8
N/A
M2
>8
M <= 5 tonnes
M3
>8
M > 5 tonnes
N
(e.g. passenger cars, mini buses, coaches, etc)
N1
 
M <= 3.5 tonnes
N2
 
3.5 < M <= 12 tonnes
N3
 
> 12 tonnes
O
(e.g. small trailers, large semi trailers, etc)
O1
N/A
<= 0.75 tonnes
O2
N/A
0.75 < M <= 3.5 tonnes
O3
N/A
3.5 < M <= 10 tonnes
04
N/A
> 10 tonnes

Learn More

Most common legislation relating to categories M, N & O.

Stephanie Flood
T: 00 353 1 807  3879
E: Stephanie.Flood@nsai.ie

Julie Elliot
T: 00 353 1 807 3919
E: julie.elliot@nsai.ie

Amanda O'Shea
T: 00 353 1 807 3832
E: amanda.oshea@nsai.ie