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Vehicle classification

Vehicle category is determined by three criteria:

• Overall height 
  
• Gross vehicle weight (GVW)* (for trains, towing vehicle only)
• Number of axles

Category	Types of vehicles	Définition
1	Light vehicles	Vehicle with overall height under 2 metres and GVW not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Train with overall height under 2 metres and GVW of towing vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes
2	Intermediate vehicles	Vehicle with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Train with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW of towing vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes
3	HGV or bus with two axles (On the A14, all two-axle buses are in category 4)	Vehicle with overall height of 3 metres or more Vehicle with GVW of more than 3.5 tonnes
4	HGV or bus with three or more axles	Vehicle with more than two axles and height of 3 metres or more, or GVW of more than 3.5 tonnes Train with overall height of 3 metres or more Train with towing vehicle having GVW of more than 3.5 tonnes
5		Motorcycle Motorcycle with sidecar Tricycle

* GVW: Gross vehicle weight as specified on French vehicle registration papers since June 2004.

Category-2 vehicles adapted for carrying disabled people (as specified on registration papers) are considered as belonging to category 1.

Read document (only in french)