Large goods vehicle


A large goods vehicle , also called a heavy goods vehicle , is the European Union term for any truck with a gross combination mass of over. Sub-category N2 is used for vehicles between and and N3 for all goods vehicles over as defined in Directive 2001/116/EC. The term medium goods vehicle is used within parts of the UK government to refer to goods vehicles of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes which according to the EU are also "large goods vehicles".
Commercial carrier vehicles of up to are referred to as light commercial vehicles and come into category N1. Confusingly though, parts of the UK government refer to these as "large goods vehicles", with the term LGV" appearing on tax discs for these smaller vehicles. Tax discs use the term "HGV" or "LGV" for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
HGV/LGVs must not exceed 44 tonnes' laden weight or in length to cross boundaries in the EU, but longer and heavier vehicles known as Gigaliner, EuroCombi, EcoLiner, innovative commercial vehicle, mega-truck, etc., typically long and weighing up to 70 tonnes are used in some countries, and the implications of allowing them to cross borders was being considered.

Driver licensing

European Union

It is necessary to have an appropriate European driving licence to drive a large goods vehicle in the European Union. There are four categories:
Drivers who passed a Category B test before 1 January 1997, will have received Categories C1 and C1+E through the Implied Rights issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency .


All UK LGV licence holders must undergo a strict medical examination and eye test on application, at age 45 and every 5 years thereafter. On reaching 65 years of age, a medical examination must be performed on an annual basis.

Canada

In the Canadian province of Ontario, drivers holding a Full Class A licence can drive Any truck/tractor trailer combination,
A combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of and has air brakes, or a vehicle pulling double trailers. Drivers holding a Class B, C or D licence can drive
A truck with a gross weight or registered gross weight exceeding or any truck and trailer combination exceeding 11,000 kilograms' gross weight or registered gross weight provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms.

New Zealand

There are four classes of heavy vehicle licence: 2, 3, 4 and 5. Classes 1 and 6 are for light vehicles and motorcycles, respectively. The classes describe the characteristics of the vehicle, the weight limits and the maximum number of axles.
Drivers must begin with a class 2 learner licence before progressing to a class 3 medium combination vehicle licence or a class 4 heavy rigid vehicle licence. A class 5 licence can only be earned after driving with a class 4 licence for a specific time-frame, or completing an accelerated course.
As New Zealand has a graduated driver licensing system, drivers must pass a theory test before being allowed to drive on the road. They can then drive with a supervisor for six months followed by a practical test, or they can complete an accelerated heavy vehicle course.

Safety

HGVs and their drivers are covered by strict regulations in many jurisdictions; for example, to improve safety, limit weight to that which will not excessively wear the transport infrastructure.
The heavy weight of these vehicles leads to severe consequences for other road users in crashes; they are over-involved in fatal crashes, and in a 2013 study in London, were found to cause a disproportionate number of the annual casualty toll of cyclists.

Manufacturers

Current
Former