DEFINITIONS
Driver: Person in charge of the steering wheel, handlebar, or animals on public roads, including riders on cycles and personal mobility vehicles (PMV)
In learning vehicles, the person in charge of the additional controls (the driving instructor) is the driver
Vehicle: Machine fit for using public roads. All vehicles need to get a previous approval
NON-POWERED DRIVEN VEHICLES
Cycles: Vehicles with, at least, 2 wheels moved by muscular effort with pedals or levers
Animal-drawn vehicles: Vehicles dragged by animals
Semi-Trailers: Vehicles to be attached to a tractor lorry. A substantial part of its weight rests on the tractor vehicle
Light trailers (up to 750 Kg of MAM)
Non-light trailers (above 750 Kg of MAM)
Caravan: As it is a trailer, it is banned to carry people when in motion
NON-POWERED DRIVEN VEHICLES (BUT THEY HAVE ENGINE)
Electrically assisted bicycle: With an electric engine up to 250 W of power. The engine will stop when reaching 25 Km/h or when riders stop pedaling
Powered cycle: It’s moved by pedals with an electric engine up to 1000 W of power. It needs yellow registration plate, but it’s not considered a moped
Mopeds: Vehicles with an engine up to 50 cc of engine capacity and a maximum speed no more than 45 Km/h
Light quadricycle: Moped with 4 wheels and maximum 2 seats. Its mass in running order will be up to 425 Kg
Vehicles for handicapped people: They are considered 3-wheeled mopeds with an empty tare no more than to 350 Kg
Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV): Electric vehicle with, at least, one wheel or more and only one place with speed between 6 to 25 Km/h. They need 2 brakes, speedometer, white light at the front and red at the rear, brake light, retroreflectors: White (front), lateral (yellow or white), and rear (red). Also, acoustic signal
They need a holder at the back for an identification tag
Personal Mobility Vehicle for goods: With 2 rear mirrors, reflective stripes: Yellow (sides) Red (Rear)
Indicators and sound warning when reversing
The ones manufactured since 2024 need a certificate to use public roads
Tram
MOTOR VEHICLES
Automobiles: To transport people and goods
Motorcycle and 3-wheeled vehicles classified as motorcycle: More than 50 c.c or speed above 45 Km/h
Motorcycle with sidecar: This is not a 3-wheeled vehicle as the wheels are asymmetrical
3-wheeled vehicle: More than 50 c.c or speed above 45 Km/h, but wheels are symmetrical, so it is not a motorcycle
Non-light/Heavy quadricycle: 4-wheeled vehicle up to 450 Kg (for people) or 600 Kg (for goods) of mass in running order
Car/Sedan: Vehicle for transporting people with, at least, 4 wheels and up to 9 seats including the driver
Car-Derived van: Vehicle for goods or services with only one row of seats. It is not a sedan
Van: Vehicle for goods with, at least, 4 wheels. Up to 9 seats and the cabin together with the bodywork
Lorry: Vehicle for goods with, at least, 4 wheels. Up to 9 seats and the cabin separated from the bodywork
Multi-purpose vehicle/Dual-purpose vehicle: Vehicle for goods or people if adding seats. Its maximum capacity is 9 seats
Campervan: Mobile-home vehicle
Regulated temperature vehicle: The isolated walls must be no less than 45 mm wide
All-road vehicle: Especially designed to drive off-road
Pick-Up: The seats and the cargo area are separated. Up to 3,500 of MAM and 2 meters tall at most. This vehicle will follow the same regulations as sedans
Bus / Coach: Vehicle for transporting people with more than 9 seats of capacity
Tractor truck: Vehicle designed, mainly, to tow semi-trailers
Vehicle Combinations / Set of vehicles
Articulated Lorry
Road Train
Special Vehicles: For works and services
Agricultural tractor
Special vehicles for public works and services
Quad-ATV
Construction machinery
Ecological Vehicles
E.V – Vehicle with an electric engine
B.E.V – Vehicle with rechargable batteries
R.E.E.V – Electric vehicle with a fuel engine
F.C.V – Electric vehicle that takes the energy from a battery with hydrogene
F.C.H.V – Like the one above. Besides, it also has rechargable batteries
H.V – Hybrid vehicle
H.E.V – Electric and hybrid vehicle
P.H.E.V – Hybrid rechargable vehicle
Car sharing: Vehicles you can rent through apps available 24 hours/7 days a week within a delimited area, normally, big cities. This method contributes to a more efficient mobility for people. They must display the blue badge on the upper left corner of windscreen
Other Definitions
Empty tare: Vehicle’s weight when it is empty
Mass in running order: Empty tare plus the standard weight of a driver -> 75 Kg
Loaded gross weight: Current weight, including what’s inside the vehicle
Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM): Maximum weight the vehicle can reach according to the manufacturer -> Check MOT card or registration document