Editing Vehicle (section)

== Legislation ==
Motor vehicle and trailer categories are defined according to the following international classification:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/rf/DEFINITION_OF_VEHICLE_CATEGORIES.pdf |title=ACEA.be |publisher=ACEA.be |access-date=8 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221224651/http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/rf/DEFINITION_OF_VEHICLE_CATEGORIES.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Category M: passenger vehicles.
* Category N: motor vehicles for the carriage of goods.
* Category O: [[trailer (vehicle)|trailers]] and semi-trailers.

=== European Union ===
In the European Union the classifications for vehicle types are defined by:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s06021.htm |title=Scadplus: Technical Harmonisation For Motor Vehicles |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=8 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015125920/http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s06021.htm |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A31970L0156 |title=Document 31970L0156 - Council Directive 70/156/EEC |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tuev-sued.de/uploads/images/1134986896205242531101/001116e.pdf |title=Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410182432/http://www.tuev-sued.de/uploads/images/1134986896205242531101/001116e.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008 |access-date=22 July 2018 |work=[[Official Journal of the European Communities]] |date=21 January 2002 }}</ref>
* Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 2002 relating to the type-approval of two or three wheeled motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 92/61/EEC

European Community is based on the Community's WVTA (whole vehicle type-approval) system. Under this system, manufacturers can obtain certification for a vehicle type in one Member State if it meets the EC technical requirements and then market it EU-wide with no need for further tests. Total technical harmonization already has been achieved in three vehicle categories (passenger cars, motorcycles, and tractors) and soon will extend to other vehicle categories ([[Coach (vehicle)|coaches]] and [[utility vehicle]]s). It is essential that European car manufacturers be ensured access to as large a market as possible.

While the Community type-approval system allows manufacturers to fully benefit fully from internal market opportunities, worldwide technical harmonization in the context of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ([[UNECE]]) offers a market beyond European borders.

=== Licensing ===

In many cases, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle without a license or certification. The least strict form of regulation usually limits what passengers the driver may carry or prohibits them completely (e.g., a Canadian [[Ultralight aviation|ultralight]] license without endorsements).<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Transport Canada]] |date=1 June 2010 |url=http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part4-401-1073.htm |title=Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IV – Personnel Licensing and Training, Subpart 1 – Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104223559/http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part4-401-1073.htm |archive-date=4 January 2012 |access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The next level of licensing may allow passengers, but without any form of compensation or payment. A private driver's license usually has these conditions. Commercial licenses that allow the transport of passengers and cargo are more tightly regulated. The most strict form of licensing is generally reserved for school buses, [[Dangerous goods|hazardous materials]] transports and emergency vehicles.

The driver of a motor vehicle is typically required to hold a valid [[driver's license]] while driving on public lands, whereas the pilot of an aircraft must have a license at all times, regardless of where in the jurisdiction the aircraft is flying.

=== Registration ===

Vehicles are often required to be registered. Registration may be for purely legal reasons, for insurance reasons, or to help law enforcement recover stolen vehicles. The [[Toronto Police Service]], for example, offers free and optional bicycle registration online.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://webapp1.torontopolice.on.ca/BicycleRegistry/Submit |title=Bicycle Registration |access-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720184408/https://webapp1.torontopolice.on.ca/BicycleRegistry/Submit |archive-date=20 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }} Retrieved 21 July 2011</ref> On motor vehicles, registration often takes the form of a [[vehicle registration plate]], which makes it easy to identify a vehicle. In [[Russia]], trucks and buses have their licence plate numbers repeated in large black letters on the back.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} On aircraft, a similar system is used, where a [[Aircraft registration|tail number]] is painted on various surfaces. Like motor vehicles and aircraft, watercraft also have registration numbers in most jurisdictions; however, the vessel name is still the primary means of identification <!-- yes I will get into more detail / proof whatever gimme some time here--> as has been the case since ancient times. For this reason, duplicate registration names are generally rejected. In [[Canada]], boats with an engine power of {{convert|10|hp|kW|1|abbr=on}} or greater require registration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/boats/pleasurecraft.shtml|title=Retrieved 2011-07-21|publisher=Servicecanada.gc.ca|access-date=8 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323103828/http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/boats/pleasurecraft.shtml|archive-date=23 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> leading to the ubiquitous "{{convert|9.9|hp|kW|1|abbr=on}}" engine.

Registration may be conditional on the vehicle being approved for use on public highways, as in the case of the UK<ref>{{cite web| title = The Individual Vehicle Approval scheme| publisher = [[Directgov]]| url = http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_177879| access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref> and Ontario.<ref>{{cite web| title = Licensing a Vehicle in Ontario| publisher = [[Ministry of Transportation of Ontario]]| url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/register.shtml| access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref> Many U.S. states also have requirements for vehicles operating on public highways.<ref>US state law, cited in [http://www.liftlaws.com/ Detailed Vehicle Equipment Laws by State] Retrieved 22 July 2011</ref> Aircraft have more stringent requirements, as they pose a high risk of damage to people and property in the event of an accident. In the U.S., the FAA requires aircraft to have an [[airworthiness certificate]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Airworthiness Certificates Overview| publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]| url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/aw_overview/| access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = FAR Part 91 Sec. 91.319| publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]| url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/0/c71e4cb4b0e8d48186256ef4004b96d6!OpenDocument| access-date = 22 July 2011| archive-date = 28 April 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210428162623/https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/0/c71e4cb4b0e8d48186256ef4004b96d6!OpenDocument| url-status = dead}}</ref> Because U.S. aircraft must be flown for some time before they are certified,<ref name="cert_limits">{{cite web| title = Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products| publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]| date = 18 April 2007| url = http://rgl.faa.gov/regulatory_and_guidance_library/rgorders.nsf/0/184b11bb25fd020c862572c3000b21ab/$FILE/Order%208130.2F%20change%203%20.pdf| at = Section 9, subsection 153| access-date = 22 July 2011| archive-date = 19 August 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210819153857/https://rgl.faa.gov/regulatory_and_guidance_library/rgorders.nsf/0/184b11bb25fd020c862572c3000b21ab/$FILE/Order%208130.2F%20change%203%20.pdf| url-status = dead}}</ref> there is a provision for an experimental airworthiness certificate.<ref>{{cite web| title = Experimental Category| publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]| url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment/| access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref> FAA experimental aircraft are restricted in operation, including no overflights of populated areas, in busy airspace, or with unessential passengers.<ref name="cert_limits"/> Materials and parts used in FAA certified aircraft must meet the criteria set forth by the ''technical standard orders''.<ref>{{cite web| title = Technical Standard Orders (TSO)| publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]| url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/tso/| access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref>

=== Mandatory safety equipment ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2011}}
In many jurisdictions, the operator of a vehicle is legally obligated to carry safety equipment with or on them. Common examples include seat belts in cars, helmets on motorcycles and bicycles, fire extinguishers on boats, buses and airplanes, and life jackets on boats and commercial aircraft. Passenger aircraft carry a great deal of safety equipment, including inflatable slides, rafts, oxygen masks, oxygen tanks, life jackets, satellite beacons and first aid kits. Some equipment, such as life jackets has led to debate regarding their usefulness. In the case of [[Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961]], the life jackets saved many people but also led to many deaths when passengers inflated their vests prematurely.