49 C.F.R. PART 523—VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION
Title 49 - Transportation
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2002; 49 CFR 1.50.
This part establishes categories of vehicles that are subject to title V of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, 15 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. (Sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 80 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2001)) [42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977] Approach angle means the smallest angle, in a plane side view of an automobile, formed by the level surface on which the automobile is standing and a line tangent to the front tire static loaded radius arc and touching the underside of the automobile forward of the front tire. Axle clearance means the vertical distance from the level surface on which an automobile is standing to the lowest point on the axle differential of the automobile. Basic vehicle frontal area is used as defined in 40 CFR 86.079–2. Breakover angle means the supplement of the largest angle, in the plan side view of an automobile, that can be formed by two lines tangent to the front and rear static loaded radii arcs and intersecting at a point on the underside of the automobile. Cargo-carrying volume means the luggage capacity or cargo volume index, as appropriate, and as those terms are defined in 40 CFR 600.315, in the case of automobiles to which either of those terms apply. With respect to automobiles to which neither of those terms apply “cargo-carrying volume” means the total volume in cubic feet rounded to the nearest 0.1 cubic feet of either an automobile's enclosed nonseating space that is intended primarily for carrying cargo and is not accessible from the passenger compartment, or the space intended primarily for carrying cargo bounded in the front by a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the automobile and passes through the rearmost point on the rearmost seat and elsewhere by the automobile's interior surfaces. Curb weight is defined the same as vehicle curb weight in 40 CFR part 86. Departure angle means the smallest angle, in a plane side view of an automobile, formed by the level surface on which the automobile is standing and a line tangent to the rear tire static loaded radius arc and touching the underside of the automobile rearward of the rear tire. Footprint is defined as the product of track width (measured in inches and rounded to the nearest tenth of an inch) times wheelbase (measured in inches and rounded to the nearest tenth of an inch) divided by 144 and then rounded to the nearest tenth of a square foot. For purposes of this definition, track width is the lateral distance between the centerlines of the base tires at ground, including the camber angle. For purposes of this definition, wheelbase is the longitudinal distance between front and rear wheel centerlines. Gross vehicle weight rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle. Medium duty passenger vehicle means a vehicle which would satisfy the criteria in §523.5 (relating to light trucks) but for its gross vehicle weight rating or its curb weight, which is rated at more than 8,500 lbs GVWR or has a vehicle curb weight of more than 6,000 pounds or has a basic vehicle frontal area in excess of 45 square feet, and which is designed primarily to transport passengers, but does not include a vehicle that: (1) Is an “incomplete truck” as defined in this subpart; or (2) Has a seating capacity of more than 12 persons; or (3)Is designed for more than 9 persons in seating rearward of the driver's seat; or (4) Is equipped with an open cargo area (for example, a pick-up truck box or bed) of 72.0 inches in interior length or more. A covered box not readily accessible from the passenger compartment will be considered an open cargo area for purposes of this definition. Passenger-carrying volume means the sum of the front seat volume and, if any, rear seat volume, as defined in 40 CFR 600.315, in the case of automobiles to which that term applies. With respect to automobiles to which that term does not apply, “passenger-carrying volume” means the sum in cubic feet, rounded to the nearest 0.1 cubic feet, of the volume of a vehicle's front seat and seats to the rear of the front seat, as applicable, calculated as follows with the head room, shoulder room, and leg room dimensions determined in accordance with the procedures outlined in Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J1100a, Motor Vehicle Dimensions (Report of Human Factors Engineering Committee, Society of Automotive Engineers, approved September 1973 and last revised September 1975). (a) For front seat volume, divide 1,728 into the product of the following SAE dimensions, measured in inches to the nearest 0.1 inches, and round the quotient to the nearest 0.001 cubic feet. (1) H61-Effective head room—front. (2) W3-Shoulder room—front. (3) L34-Maximum effective leg room-accelerator. (b) For the volume of seats to the rear of the front seat, divide 1,728 into the product of the following SAE dimensions, measured in inches to the nearest 0.1 inches, and rounded the quotient to the nearest 0.001 cubic feet. (1) H63-Effective head room—second. (2) W4-Shoulder room—second. (3) L51-Minimum effective leg room—second. Running clearance means the distance from the surface on which an automobile is standing to the lowest point on the automobile, excluding unsprung weight. Static loaded radius arc means a portion of a circle whose center is the center of a standard tire-rim combination of an automobile and whose radius is the distance from that center to the level surface on which the automobile is standing, measured with the automobile at curb weight, the wheel parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal centerline, and the tire inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. Temporary living quarters means a space in the interior of an automobile in which people may temporarily live and which includes sleeping surfaces, such as beds, and household conveniences, such as a sink, stove, refrigerator, or toilet. (Sec. 9, Pub. L. 89–670, 80 Stat. 981 (49 U.S.C. 1657); sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 89 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2002); delegation of authority at 41 FR 25015, June 22, 1976) [42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 12013, Mar. 23, 1978; 71 FR 17676, Apr. 6, 2006; 71 FR 19450, Apr. 14, 2006] (a) An automobile is any 4-wheeled vehicle propelled by fuel which is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways (except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails), and that either— (1) Is rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less; or (2) Which— (i) Is rated more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, but less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, (ii) Is a type of vehicle for which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, average fuel economy standards are feasible, and (iii)(A) Is a type of vehicle for which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, average fuel economy standards will result in significant energy conservation, or (B) Is a type of vehicle which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, is substantially used for the same purposes as vehicles described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (b) The following vehicles rated at more than 6,000 pounds and less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight are determined to be automobiles: (1) Vehicles which would satisfy the criteria in §523.4 (relating to passenger automobiles) but for their gross vehicle weight rating. (2) Vehicles which would satisfy the criteria in §523.5 (relating to light trucks) but for their gross vehicle weight rating, and which (i) Have a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less, (ii) Have a curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less, (iii) Have a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, and (iv) Are manufactured during the 1980 model year or thereafter. (3) Vehicles that are defined as medium duty passenger vehicles, and which are manufactured during the 2011 model year or thereafter. (Sec. 9, Pub. L. 89–670, 80 Stat. 981 (49 U.S.C. 1657); sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 89 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2002); delegation of authority at 41 FR 25015, June 22, 1976) [42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 12013, Mar. 23, 1978; 44 FR 4493, Jan. 2, 1979; 71 FR 17676, Apr. 6, 2006] A passenger automobile is any automobile (other than an automobile capable of off-highway operation) manufactured primarily for use in the transportation of not more than 10 individuals. (Sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 80 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2001)) [42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977] (a) A light truck is an automobile other than a passenger automobile which is either designed for off-highway operation, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, or designed to perform at least one of the following functions: (1) Transport more than 10 persons; (2) Provide temporary living quarters; (3) Transport property on an open bed; (4) Provide greater cargo-carrying than passenger-carrying volume; or (5) Permit expanded use of the automobile for cargo-carrying purposes or other nonpassenger-carrying purposes through: (i) For light trucks manufactured prior to model year 2012, the removal of seats by means installed for that purpose by the automobile's manufacturer or with simple tools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, so as to create a flat, floor level, surface extending from the forwardmost point of installation of those seats to the rear of the automobile's interior; or (ii) For light trucks manufactured in model year 2008 and beyond, for vehicles equipped with at least 3 rows of designated seating positions as standard equipment, permit expanded use of the automobile for cargo-carrying purposes or other nonpassenger-carrying purposes through the removal or stowing of foldable or pivoting seats so as to create a flat, leveled cargo surface extending from the forwardmost point of installation of those seats to the rear of the automobile's interior. (b) An automobile capable of off-highway operation is an automobile— (1)(i) That has 4-wheel drive; or (ii) Is rated at more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; and (2) That has at least four of the following characteristics (see Figure 1) calculated when the automobile is at curb weight, on a level surface, with the front wheels parallel to the automobile's longitudinal centerline, and the tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure— (i) Approach angle of not less than 28 degrees. (ii) Breakover angle of not less than 14 degrees. (iii) Departure angle of not less than 20 degrees. (iv) Running clearance of not less than 20 centimeters. (v) Front and rear axle clearances of not less than 18 centimeters each. (Sec. 9, Pub. L. 89–670, 80 Stat. 981 (49 U.S.C. 1657); sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 89 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2002); delegation of authority at 41 FR 25015, June 22, 1976) [42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 12013, Mar. 23, 1978; 58 FR 18029, Apr. 7, 1993; 71 FR 17676, Apr. 6, 2006; 71 FR 19450, Apr. 14, 2006]
Title 49: Transportation
PART 523—VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION
Section Contents
§ 523.1 Scope.
§ 523.2 Definitions.
§ 523.3 Automobile.
§ 523.4 Passenger automobile.
§ 523.5 Light truck.
§ 523.1 Scope.
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§ 523.2 Definitions.
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§ 523.3 Automobile.
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§ 523.4 Passenger automobile.
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§ 523.5 Light truck.
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