Type Approval for Motorcycles L1 to L7
This page was last updated on 3rd March 2020A system of mandatory European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) has been in place for motorcycles for a number of years. The scheme is now defined in Framework Regulation EU 168/2013.
The Type Approval Framework covers 2, 3 and some light 4 wheeled vehicles (quadricycles).
EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) is based around a Whole Vehicle approval framework regulation (EU 168/2013) and provides for the approval of whole vehicles. It also includes a package of subordinate requirements for vehicle systems and separate components which are based around a mixture of EU Regulations and UN Regulations. This certification is accepted throughout the EU without the need for further testing until a standard is updated or the vehicle design changes.
A manufacturer holding a valid EU type approval can produce unlimited numbers of vehicles for distribution in the whole of the EU.
Low volume/Small Series Manufacturers
Full EC whole vehicle type approval won’t suit everyone, particularly those manufacturing vehicles in low numbers. There are no plans to introduce a Small Series scheme in the UK as there is already another route to approval in the UK, the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme.
Manufacturers making just a single vehicle or very small numbers of a vehicle type may wish to use the MSVA scheme in order to place on the market or register vehicles in the UK only. The MSVA scheme is the least onerous approval route in terms of compliance but involves an individual inspection of each vehicle.
Further information about the MSVA scheme is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/motorcycle-single-vehicle-approval.
