Table of Contents:
Two or three-wheeled motor vehicles: components and characteristics
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Two or three-wheeled motor vehicles: components and characteristics
Topics
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Internal market > Motor vehicles > Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles
Two or three-wheeled motor vehicles: components and characteristics
Document or Iniciative
Council Directive 97/24/EC of 17 June 1997 on certain components or characteristics of two or three-wheel motor vehicles [See amending acts].
Summary
The vehicles covered by this Directive are subdivided into:
- mopeds: two or three-wheel vehicles fitted with an engine having a swept volume not exceeding 50 cm3 and a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h;
- motorcycles: two-wheel vehicles fitted with an engine having a swept volume of more than 50 cm3 and a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h;
- tricycles: three-wheel vehicles fitted with an engine having a swept volume of more than 50 cm3 and a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h;
- quadricycles: vehicles whose unladen mass is less than 350 kg, whose maximum design speed does not exceed 45 km/h and whose swept volume does not exceed 50 cm3, or (whose engine power) does not exceed 4 kW.
It incorporates the procedures for granting component type approval laid down by Council Directive 92/61/EEC, since repealed by Council Directive 2002/24/EEC, for:
- tyres;
- lighting and light signalling devices;
- external projections;
- rear-view mirrors;
- measures to counter atmospheric pollution;
- fuel tanks;
- anti-tampering devices;
- electromagnetic compatibility;
- permissible sound level and exhaust system;
- coupling and attachment devices;
- safety-belt attachment points and safety belts;
- glazing, windscreen wipers, windscreen washers and de-icing and de-misting systems.
Equivalence has been established between certain requirements of the Directive (tyres, lighting and light signalling devices, rear view mirrors and safety belts) and certain of the regulations issued by the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Europe.
The authorities granting component type approval thus accept the component type approvals issued in accordance with the abovementioned regulations.
Tax incentives may only be granted to vehicles which meet the requirements concerning atmospheric pollution and noise pollution set out in the Directive.
Those tax incentives must:
- apply to all new vehicles marketed within a Member State and which meet the requirements of this Directive in advance;
- cease once the mandatory action has taken place;
- must, for each type of motor vehicle, amount to less than the extra cost of the technical action taken and of their being fitted to the motor vehicle in order not to exceed the values laid down.
This Directive repeals Council Directive 78/1015/EEC of 23 November 1978, concerning the approximation of laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and exhaust system of motorcycles. Directive 97/24/EC hereby resumes, adds to and adjusts the provisions in Directive 78/1015/EEC to the technical progress.
References
| Act | Entry into force | Deadline for transposition in the Member States | Official Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directive 97/24/EC | 18.08.1997 | 17.12.1998 | OJ L 226 of 18.08.1997 |
| Amending act(s) | Entry into force | Deadline for transposition in the Member States | Official Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directive 2002/51/EC | 20.9.2002 | 1.4.2003 | OJ L 252 of 20.9.2002 |
| Directive 2003/77/EC | 10.09.2003 | 03.09.2004 | OJ L 211 of 21.08.2003 |
| Directive 2005/30/EC | 17.05.2005 | 17.05.2006 | OJ L 106 of 27.04.2005 |
| Directive 2006/27/EC | 28.03.2006 | 31.12.2006 | OJ L 66 of 08.03.2006 |
| Directive 2006/72/EC | 08.09.2006 | 30.06.2007 | OJ L 227 of 19.08.2006 |