The definition of the truck in the highway code

Table of Contents

When it comes to trucks, there is always some confusion due to the different possibilities of using the vehicle, so in order not to make a mistake, the first thing to do is to check on the vehicle registration book how the vehicle has been classified.

We preface that trucks are distinguished according to own use, i.e., private and/or business use and third-party use.

Before we delve deeper, let’s know the definition truck road code, so that we are clear about the type of motor vehicle.

The definition of truck road code is given inArt. 54 c.1 lett. D: “vehicles intended for the transport of things and the persons assigned to the use or transport of such things.”

On the registration card or logbook, two entries can be distinguished: N1 and K0:

N1: These are vehicles that have a total laden mass of up to and no more than 35 quintals.

K0: indicates the body code that identifies a vehicle with a box body (Pick-Up).

Own-use truck

The own-use truck can be used without any constraint or limitation to transport goods and people, provided four conditions are met:

  • Be registered as N1
  • Bodywork F0
  • At least 4 seats
  • Ratio of engine power (KW) to vehicle capacity (P) obtainable between difference between total mass (Mc) and tare (T) in tons, equal to or greater than 180.

If one or more of these four conditions are lacking, the truck is not used for transporting people, and therefore, according toArticle 82 of the Highway Code truck, you are subject to a fine and suspension of your registration certificate from 1 up to 6 months.

The own-use N1 truck can be registered to a private individual or to a VAT-registered company; in these cases it has no limitation of use because it does not turn out to be a means of transportation for commercial use.

In addition, the own-use N1 truck can be used any day of the week and in any eventuality, including for transporting family members, including children.

The transported objects are, therefore, classified as “things” and not as goods, since the transport takes place without consideration.

You can transport anything freely, whether it is a private or business need, without taking any risk. If the own-use truck is registered to a company, this is considered a deductible capital asset and has no limit just as for the private individual.

As a reminder, since 2000, for what concerns the Highway Code truck use, the wording “own use” has replaced “mixed-use vehicle.”

Contractor truck

The truck for hire or use by others is a vehicle limited in its use, as it is a commercial income vehicle, subject to business constraints and driven only by authorized personnel. It is not possible to transport people or goods outside the commercial ones commissioned by the company.

In fact, the Highway Code in Article 82 defines trucks for hire as follows: “Vehicles used for remuneration, in the interest of persons other than the holder of the registration certificate.”

In other words, they are means of transportation that are used to transport goods ordered by a shipper in exchange for a fee.

In order to engage in this activity, the hauler must have been in possession of a license for haulage for hire or reward, an authorization issued by the Ministry of Transportation, which is required, independent of the tonnage of the vehicle, type and title.

To obtain it, one must be registered in the national register of haulers and have a special permit issued by the provincial offices of the DMV. With the latter, third-party service can be carried out throughout the country. It is required to be issued for each vehicle in the
fleet
, it is also mandatory to keep the transport card in the truck at all times.

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