[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR523.5]

[Page 86-87]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 523_VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  523.5  Light truck.

    (a) A light truck is an automobile other than a passenger automobile 
which is either designed for off-highway operation, as described in 
paragraph (b) of this section, or designed to perform at least one of 
the following functions:
    (1) Transport more than 10 persons;
    (2) Provide temporary living quarters;
    (3) Transport property on an open bed;
    (4) Provide greater cargo-carrying than passenger-carrying volume; 
or
    (5) Permit expanded use of the automobile for cargo-carrying 
purposes or other nonpassenger-carrying purposes through:
    (i) For light trucks manufactured prior to model year 2012, the 
removal of seats by means installed for that purpose by the automobile's 
manufacturer or with simple tools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, so 
as to create a flat, floor level, surface extending from the forwardmost 
point of installation of those seats to the rear of the automobile's 
interior; or

[[Page 87]]

    (ii) For light trucks manufactured in model year 2008 and beyond, 
for vehicles equipped with at least 3 rows of designated seating 
positions as standard equipment, permit expanded use of the automobile 
for cargo-carrying purposes or other nonpassenger-carrying purposes 
through the removal or stowing of foldable or pivoting seats so as to 
create a flat, leveled cargo surface extending from the forwardmost 
point of installation of those seats to the rear of the automobile's 
interior.
    (b) An automobile capable of off-highway operation is an 
automobile--
    (1)(i) That has 4-wheel drive; or
    (ii) Is rated at more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; and
    (2) That has at least four of the following characteristics (see 
Figure 1) calculated when the automobile is at curb weight, on a level 
surface, with the front wheels parallel to the automobile's longitudinal 
centerline, and the tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended 
pressure--
    (i) Approach angle of not less than 28 degrees.
    (ii) Breakover angle of not less than 14 degrees.
    (iii) Departure angle of not less than 20 degrees.
    (iv) Running clearance of not less than 20 centimeters.
    (v) Front and rear axle clearances of not less than 18 centimeters 
each.

(Sec. 9, Pub. L. 89-670, 80 Stat. 981 (49 U.S.C. 1657); sec. 301, Pub. 
L. 94-163, 89 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2002); delegation of authority at 41 
FR 25015, June 22, 1976)

[42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 12013, Mar. 23, 1978; 
58 FR 18029, Apr. 7, 1993; 71 FR 17676, Apr. 6, 2006; 71 FR 19450, Apr. 
14, 2006]