Large Goods Vehicle
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Large Goods Vehicle (LGV), or category N2 and N3, is the formal term in the European Union for goods vehicles (i.e. lorries) with a maximum allowed mass (MAM) over 3.5 tonnes. Category N2 is up to 12 t, category N3 greater than 12 t.
The former term Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) is still very commonly used. The term was changed from HGV to LGV as not all countries in Europe had a word for heavy.[citation needed]
The LGV driver's licence is divided into four categories:
Category C1 (Class 3) allows holders to drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (gross vehicle weight) between 3.5 t-7.5 t (3500kg - 7500kg) with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass.
Category C1+E allows holders to drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (gross vehicle weight) between 3.5 t-7.5 t (3500kg - 7500kg) with a trailer over 750kg maximum authorised mass, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the vehicle being driven and the combined maximum authorised mass of both the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12 t (12000kg).
Example: A vehicle with an unladen mass of 2650kg and a MAM of 4005kg, with a trailer MAM of 2200kg will give a combined MAM of 6205kg - but the Unladen Mass of the vehicle being driven (2650kg) is greater than the MAM of the trailer (2200kg) so is acceptable. However, a vehicle with an unladen mass of 2650kg and a MAM of 4005kg, with a trailer MAM of 2700kg will give a combined MAM of 6705kg - but because the MAM of the trailer (2700kg) exceeds the Unladen Weight of the vehicle being driven (2650kg), you would need a Category C+E licence to drive that vehicle.
Category C (Class 2) allows the holder to drive a vehicle weighing over 3.5 t (3500kg) with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass.
Category C+E (Class 1) allows the holder to drive a vehicle weighing over 3.5 t (3500kg) with a trailer over 750kg maximum authorised mass.
Drivers who passed a Category B (Car) test before 1 January 1997 will of received Categories C1 and C1+E (Restriction Code 107: not more than 8250kg) through the Implied Rights issued by the DVLA (more commonly known as Grandfather Rights).
In Canada's province of Ontario, drivers holding a Class A licence can drive tractor-trailers where the gross weight of the towed vehicle exceeds 4.6 t.[1] Drivers holding a Class B (school bus), C (regular bus) or D (heavy truck) licence can drive trucks weighing 11 t, with the towed vehicle weighing a maximum of 4.6 t (Ibid.).
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fr:Poids lourdnl:Large Goods Vehicle
