2.

MANUFACTURER'S PLATE 2.1. A manufacturer's plate, modelled on that shown in the appendix hereto, must be firmly attached in a conspicuous and readily accessible position on a part not subject to replacement in use. It must show clearly and indelibly the following information in the order listed: 2.1.1. Name of the manufacturer. 2.1.2. EEC type-approval number [1]. This number is composed of a small letter "e" followed, in the order given, by the distinguishing number or letters of the country which granted the EEC type-approval (1 for Germany, 2 for France, 3 for Italy, 4 for the Netherlands, 6 for Belgium, 11 for the United Kingdom, 12 for Luxembourg, DK for Denmark, IRL for Ireland) and by the type-approval number corresponding to the number on the type-approval certificate for the type of vehicle. An asterisk shall be placed between the letter "e" and the distinguishing number or letters of the country which granted the EEC type-approval, and between the distinguishing number or letters and the type-approval number. 2.1.3. Vehicle identification number. 2.1.4. Maximum permitted laden weight of the vehicle. 2.1.5. Maximum permitted laden weight for the combination, where the vehicle is used for towing. 2.1.6. Maximum permitted road weight for each axle, listed in order from front to rear. 2.1.7. In the case of a semi-trailer, the maximum permitted weight on the fifth wheel king pin. 2.1.8. The requirements of 2.1.4 to 2.1.7 shall not enter into force until 12 months have elapsed from the date of adoption of the Council Directive on weights and dimensions of motor vehicles and their trailers. In the meantime, however, a Member State may require that the maximum permitted weights prescribed in its national legislation be shown on the plate of any vehicle which has entered into service in its territory. If the technically permissible weight is higher than the maximum permitted weight, the Member State in question may request that the technically permissible weight also be stated. The weight would be set out in two columns: the maximum permitted weight on the left and the technically permissible weight on the right. 2.2 The manufacturer may give additional information below or to the side of the prescribed inscriptions, outside a clearly marked rectangle which shall enclose only the information prescribed in 2.1.1 to 2.1.8 (see the Appendix to this Annex). VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER The vehicle identification number is a fixed combination of characters assigned to each vehicle by the manufacturer. Its purpose is to ensure that every vehicle can be clearly identified over a period of 30 years through the intermediary of the manufacturer, without there being a need for reference to further data. The vehicle identification number must conform to the following requirements: 3.1. It must be marked on the manufacturer's plate, and also on the chassis, frame, or other similar structure. 3.1.1. It must consist of two sections: the first, composed of not more than six characters (letters or figures), identifying the general characteristics of the vehicle, in particular the type and model; the second, composed of eight characters of which the first four may be letters or figures and the other four figures only, providing, in conjunction with the first section, clear identification of a particular vehicle. 3.1.2. It must wherever possible be marked on a single line. As an exception, for technical reasons, it may also be marked on two lines. However, in this case there must be no gaps within either of the two sections. There must be no spaces between the characters. In the second section, any unused position must be filled by a zero in order to obtain the required total of eight characters. The beginning and end of each line must be marked by a symbol which is neither an arabic numeral nor a roman capital letter and which cannot be confused with either. It is also permissible to place such a symbol between the two sections on one line (3.1.1). 3.2. The identification number must, moreover: 3.2.1. be marked on the chassis, frame or other similar structure, on the right-hand side of the vehicle; 3.2.2. be placed in a clearly visible and accessible position by a method such as hammering or stamping, in such a way that it cannot be obliterated or deteriorate.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-10 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.