Vehicle category classifies vehicle based on their function, occupant capacity and intended use purpose for regulatory purpose. Based on the vehicle category, regulations are put in place to design the vehicle which forms the base for the homologation purpose.
Vehicle homologation is the process of certifying that a particular vehicle is roadworthy and matches certain specified criteria laid out by the government for all vehicles made or imported into that country. Essentially, the tests ensure that the vehicle matches the requirements of the Indian market in terms of emission and safety and road-worthiness as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.
- Vehicle Category A: Means a Category Agricultural Tractor Power tillers are included in this category.
- Vehicle Category C: This is Construction Equipment Vehicle (CEV)
- Vehicle Category M: Means a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for the carrying passengers.
- Vehicle Category N: Means motor vehicles having at least four wheels used for the carrying goods which may also carry persons in addition to the goods subject to conditions.
Category L1: Means a motorcycle with maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h and engine capacity not exceeding 50cc if fitted with thermic engine or motor power not exceeding 0.5 kilo watt if fitted with electric motor. Category L2: Means a motorcycle other than Category L1.
Category L3: Means a two wheel motorcycle with an engine cylinder capacity in the case of a thermic engine exceeding 50 cm3 or whatever the means of propulsion a max. design speed exceeding 50 km/h. with more then 50 cc and speed of more then 50 kmph
Category L5M: Means a L5M category-Passenger carrier (Auto rickshaw) and Gross vehicle Weight is equal to 1500 kilograms.
Category L5N: Means a motorcycle other than Category L1.
Vehicle Category M: means a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers
Category M1: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
Category M2: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight not exceeding 5 tons. Category M2G: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight not exceeding 5 tons and Having addition Off road (Cross country vehicle) capabilities.
Category M3: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage passengers, comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight exceeding 5 tons.
Category M3G: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage passengers, comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight exceeding 5 tons and Having addition Off road (Cross country vehicle) capabilities
Vehicle Category N
Means motor vehicles having at least four wheels used for the carrying goods which may also carry persons in addition to the goods subject to conditions.
A motor vehicles used for carriage of goods and
N1 | having a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3.5tons |
N2 | having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5tons but not exceeding 12tons |
N3 | having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12tons |
Category T: This is all about Trailer Category, It is used for the carrying goods. :
| T1 | Means a Trailer used for carriage of goods and having a Gross vehicle Weight not exceeding 0.75 tons.  |
| T2 | Means a Trailer used for carriage of goods and having a Gross vehicle Weight exceeding 0.75 tons but not exceeding 3.5 tons |
| T3 | Means a Trailer used for carriage of goods and having a Gross vehicle Weight exceeding 3.5 tons but not exceeding 10 tons |
| T4 | Means a Trailer used for carriage of goods and having a Gross vehicle Weight exceeding 10 tons. |
| T5 | Means A semi Trailer intended to be drawn by a three wheeled haulage tractor. |
More on body types: Pickup truck body type
