Glossary Explanation of terms

Anti-lock Braking System, ABS

A braking system that prevents the wheels from locking during heavy braking, thus maintaining steering control.

Articulated bus

A vehicle with two separate interior sections connected by a flexible, articulated passageway.

Articulated vehicle, Semi-trailer truck

A combination of two coupled vehicles, consisting of a motorized vehicle and an attached semi-trailer.

Bicycle

A vehicle with at least two wheels that is propelled solely by muscular effort, particularly using pedals or cranks.

Bicycle street

A street primarily intended for cyclists but not exclusively reserved for them.

Brake light

Red lights that turn on as soon as the brake pedal is pressed.

Braking distance

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment braking begins until it comes to a complete stop.

Breakdown lane, Shoulder

A designated strip running alongside the carriageway of a motorway or major road, intended for emergency stops only. Driving, stopping, or parking there is prohibited.

Bus station

An area designated exclusively for public passenger transport vehicles.

Bypass, Go around

Drive around a stationary obstacle or vehicle.

Caravan, Travel trailer

A trailer designed and equipped for use as a mobile living space.

Carriageway, Roadway

The section of a public road that includes both traffic lanes and stopping lanes.

Coach, Touring bus

A motorized vehicle with at least 9 seats, including the driver's seat, designed for passenger transport.

Coupled vehicles

A combination consisting of a vehicle and a connected trailer.

Cross

To drive past another road user who is traveling in the opposite direction.

Curb weight

The weight of a vehicle without passengers or cargo, but with a full fuel tank and all standard equipment.

Daytime running lights, DRL

Lights that turn on automatically when the engine starts and enhance the vehicle's visibility on the road.

Dipped / low beam headlights

Lamps in yellow or white that illuminate the road ahead for at least 25 meters without dazzling other road users.

Double-decker bus

A city or coach bus with two passenger levels, where the upper deck is exclusively for seated passengers, with no standing places available.

Electric bicycle

A vehicle with at least two wheels, with or without a seat, that meets the following criteria:

• - It is powered solely by an electric motor with an output of less than 0.5 kW.

• - It is structurally limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

An electric bicycle is legally considered equivalent to a regular bicycle.

Electric microvehicle

A small road vehicle with at least one wheel, with or without a seat, designed to transport a single person and having the following characteristics:

• - It is powered exclusively by an electric motor with a maximum output of 0.25 kW.

• - It is designed to reach a speed of more than 6 km/h.

• - It is structurally limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Users of electric microvehicles are legally considered equivalent to cyclists.

Electric motor vehicle

A vehicle powered exclusively by one or more electric motors.

Electric wheelchair

A vehicle with at least two wheels designed specifically to transport a person with mobility impairments. It is equipped with an electric motor and, by design, cannot exceed a speed of 15 km/h. A wheelchair user is legally considered equivalent to a pedestrian.

Emergency flashers, Hazard warning lights

A system that allows all of a vehicle’s indicators to flash simultaneously to alert others to a specific hazard.

European Certificate of Conformity (COC)

This document is issued by the manufacturer, specifies the technical characteristics of the vehicle, and certifies that it complied with all European regulations at the time of its market launch.

Extensive/large road network

The extensive road network includes highways and roads designated solely for motor vehicles.

Front fog lights

Headlights designed to enhance the illumination of the road in foggy or limited visibility conditions. Wide-beam lamps are classified as front fog lights.

High beam headlights

White or yellow lights that illuminate the road ahead for at least 100 meters. Long-range headlights are classified as high beams.

High-speed tractor

A tractor designed to reach a maximum speed of more than 40 km/h.

Highway

A section of the public road network designated exclusively for certain motor vehicles. It has separate and distinct lanes for each direction of travel. The start and end are specifically marked. There are no intersections, only designated access and exit points.

Historic vehicle

A motor vehicle requiring registration, first registered at least 30 years ago, whose specific model is no longer in production, and that remains in its original condition.

Hybrid vehicle

A vehicle that draws its propulsion energy from two different sources.

Intersection, Junction

A place where roads meet or cross. An intersection can take the shape of a "+", a "T" (T-junction), a "Y" (fork), or a roundabout.

Level / railroad crossing

A section of a public road where railway tracks cross the roadway at the same level.

Light commercial vehicle, LCV

A vehicle designed for transporting goods with a maximum authorized mass not exceeding 3,500 kg.

Light motorcycle

A motorcycle with a maximum engine displacement of 125 cm³, a peak power of 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio of less than 0.1 kW/kg. A light motorcycle is legally considered equivalent to a motorcycle.

Light quadricycle

A four-wheeled vehicle with an unladen mass of no more than 350 kg (excluding battery weight for electric models), a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h, and equipped with:

• - a petrol engine with a maximum displacement of 50 cm³,

• - a diesel engine with a maximum power of less than 4 kW (whose displacement may exceed 50 cm³),

• - an electric motor with a maximum power of less than 4 kW.

Mandatory bicycle lane

A designated section of the public road reserved for cyclists, separated from the rest of the roadway by physical structures and clearly marked. Cyclists are required to use this bike lane.

Mandatory lane for cyclists

A designated section of the public roadway reserved for cyclists, separated from the rest of the road by a continuous longitudinal marking and clearly marked. Cyclists are required to use this lane.

Mandatory path for pedestrians and cyclists

A specially designed path or section of the public road, separated from the rest of the traffic by physical structures, exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists and clearly marked as such. Both cyclists and pedestrians are required to use this path.

Maximum authorized mass

The maximum permitted weight of a fully loaded vehicle, as determined by the country of registration. This weight is recorded in the registration certificate.

Maximum permissible towed mass

The maximum weight a vehicle is allowed to tow, as specified by the manufacturer. This value is recorded in the registration certificate.

Moped

A motor vehicle with two or three wheels, equipped either with an engine not exceeding 50 cc in displacement, which by design cannot exceed 45 km/h, or with an electric motor likewise restricted to 45 km/h.

Motor vehicle

A vehicle powered by a combustion or electric motor that does not operate on rails. If such a vehicle breaks down and is moved by an external force, it still retains its classification as a motor vehicle.

Motor vehicle road

A section of the public road network designated exclusively for certain motor vehicles. The start and end are specifically marked with signage.

Motor-home

A motor vehicle designed for use as a living space, featuring a permanently installed basic interior setup.

Motorcycle

A two-wheeled motor vehicle, with or without a sidecar, that meets one of the following conditions:

• - An engine with a displacement greater than 50 cc,

• - An engine with a displacement of up to 50 cc but capable of exceeding 45 km/h,

• - An electric motor that is designed to exceed 45 km/h.

Overtake, Pass

Passing a slower vehicle or road user moving in the same direction.

Parked vehicle

A vehicle that is located in an area designated as a parking spot.

Parking lights, position lights

White lights designed to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle.

Parking strip, Parking lane

A section of the roadway running alongside the street, designated for stopping and parking vehicles.

Passenger car

A motor vehicle whose interior is solely intended for carrying people, with up to nine seats (including the driver’s seat). Quads and trikes are not classified as passenger cars.

Pavement, Sidewalk

A raised section of the public road designated for pedestrians and equivalent road users. The platforms at bus stations are also considered sidewalks.

Payload

The payload is the difference between the maximum authorized mass and the unladen mass.

Payload weight

The total weight of a vehicle in its current loaded state, including passengers.

Pedal-assist bicycle

A vehicle with at least two wheels that is powered both by the rider’s muscular effort and the assistance of an electric motor:

• - The electric motor has a maximum output of 0.25 kW.

• - As speed increases, the motor’s assistance decreases, and it shuts off when the speed reaches 25 km/h or when the rider stops pedaling.

A pedal-assist bicycle is legally considered equivalent to a conventional bicycle.

Pedestrian and cyclist crossing

A section of the public roadway designated for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the street, marked and signposted side by side.

Pedestrian and cyclist crossing (outside urban areas)

A designated section of the public roadway where pedestrians and/or cyclists can cross the street, properly marked.

Pedestrian crossing, Sidewalk

A designated section of the public roadway intended for pedestrians to cross the street, properly marked and signposted.

Personal means of transportation

A small, non-electric means of transportation on wheels, either attached to the feet or equipped with a platform, with or without handlebars. This also includes all rolling devices intended for children, whether electric or not, as long as their maximum design speed does not exceed 6 km/h. Users of personal transportation devices are considered pedestrians.

Populated area

A cluster of houses marked by town signs at the entrances and exits.

Position / side marker lights

Lights that make the outline of a vehicle visible.

Public bus

A motor vehicle intended for carrying seated or standing passengers, equipped with more than nine seats, including the driver’s seat.

Public road

All ways, roads, and squares open to public traffic, including summer paths, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parking areas, and zones reserved for specific road users (e.g., pedestrian zone).

Quad bike, All-terrain vehicle, ATV

A four-wheeled motor vehicle with an unladen mass of no more than 400 kg (excluding battery weight for electric models) and a maximum engine power of 15 kW. Quads used for cargo transport can have an unladen mass of up to 550 kg.

Reaction distance

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the danger is perceived to the initiation of braking.

Rear fog light

A red light that increases the vehicle’s visibility in dense fog and may only be switched on when visibility is less than 50 meters.

Recommended bicycle lane

A designated section of the public road reserved for cyclists, separated from the rest of the roadway by physical structures and clearly marked. However, cyclists are not required to use this bike lane.

Recommended lane for cyclists

A designated section of the public roadway reserved for cyclists, separated from the rest of the road by broken longitudinal markings and clearly marked. However, cyclists are not required to use this lane.

Recommended path for cyclists and pedestrians

A specially designed or physically separated section of the public road, reserved exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists and marked as such. However, its use is not mandatory for cyclists and pedestrians.

Reflector

A device that reflects incoming light.

Registration certificate, Vehicle registration document

This document primarily contains the required technical details of the vehicle, such as the make, model, license plate number, weight, and number of seats. Upon initial registration, it consists of two parts: the gray part is added to the vehicle’s documents, while the yellow part is kept at home.

Regular road network

The ordinary road network refers to all roads, paths, and squares open to public traffic, excluding motorways and motor-vehicle-only roads.

Rental car

"Rental car with driver": a car with a driver, used for transporting passengers either for a fee or free of charge.

"Self-drive rental car": a motor vehicle rented by an individual who drives it themselves and takes full responsibility.

Reversing light, Backup light

A white light that automatically turns on when the reverse gear is engaged.

Road train

A set of coupled vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle and an attached trailer.

Road vehicle

A vehicle typically used for transporting people or goods, as well as for towing another vehicle that serves the same purpose on public roads. Work machines and specialized vehicles are also classified as road vehicles.

Safety distance, safe following distance

The minimum distance that must be maintained for safety reasons between a vehicle and the one in front of it.

Self-propelled work machine

A motorized vehicle designed for performing work, constructed in such a way that it cannot transport people (except the driver) or goods.

Semi-trailer

A trailer designed to be coupled to a motor vehicle, with part of it resting on the towing vehicle and a significant portion of its weight being supported by the tractor unit (semi-truck).

Semi-truck, Tractor unit, Articulated lorry

A motorized vehicle specifically designed to tow a semi-trailer.

Shoulder

A part of the public road that runs alongside the main roadway. It is usually unpaved and therefore not suitable for driving.

Stationary vehicle

A vehicle that remains stationary for a longer period than needed for passengers to get in or out or for loading and unloading goods.

Stopping distance

The stopping distance is the sum of the distance traveled during the reaction time and the distance required for the vehicle to come to a stop while braking.

Taxi

A passenger car used for public transportation of people for a fee.

Three-wheeled motor vehicle

A three-wheeled motorized vehicle with the following characteristics:

• - An engine with a displacement greater than 50 cm³,

• - An engine with a displacement of at most 50 cm³, but capable of exceeding 45 km/h,

• - An electric motor designed to reach speeds above 45 km/h.

Towed vehicle

A vehicle that is pulled by a car, van, truck, semi-trailer truck, tractor, or work machine but is not officially classified as a trailer. The speed limit for such coupled vehicles is either 25 km/h or 40 km/h, depending on the type of towing vehicle. The towed vehicle must be marked with an identification plate.

Tractor

A motorized vehicle on wheels or tracks with at least two axles, designed for towing, pushing, carrying, or operating various work equipment or trailers. A tractor can also be configured for transporting people or goods.

Traffic lane

A section of the roadway where vehicles move in the same direction.

Trailer

A vehicle specifically designed to be towed by another vehicle and officially registered as a trailer.

Truck, Lorry

A vehicle designed for transporting goods with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 3,500 kg.

Unladen/curb weight

The vehicle’s own weight plus the weight of the driver. The unladen weight is recorded in the registration certificate.

Utility vehicle

A motor vehicle with a maximum authorized mass of no more than 3,500 kg and up to nine seats (including the driver’s seat), whose interior is designed for carrying both goods and passengers. This commercial vehicle is classified as follows:

• - Station wagon / Estate (Kombiwagen) if its cargo area is at most 2.5 m²,

• - Delivery van if its cargo area exceeds 2.5 m².

Vehicle

A vehicle or device with wheels used for movement.

Wheelchair

A vehicle with at least two wheels, specifically designed to transport a person with reduced mobility and propelled solely by muscle power. A wheelchair user is legally considered equivalent to a pedestrian.