Motor vehicle wheel guards

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 1009/2010 — type-approval requirements for wheel guards of certain motor vehicles

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

• It lays down rules relating to wheel guards.
• It aims to adapt current requirements to developments in scientific and technical knowledge.

KEY POINTS

The regulation sets out type-approval requirements for motor vehicle wheel guards. It forms part of the implementation of Regulation (EC) 661/2009 on safe motor vehicles and trailers.

Type of vehicle concerned

This regulation applies to vehicles of category M1, i.e. vehicles designed and built to carry passengers with not more than 8 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat.

Requirements for wheel guards

• Manufacturers must equip vehicles with a guard for each wheel.
• The wheel guards may consist of parts of the bodywork or separate mudguards, which will protect road users against thrown-up stones, mud, ice, snow and water.
• The regulation also defines specific requirements concerning, in particular:
  • the vehicle’s mass;
  • the overall width of the wheel guard;
  • the contour and location of the wheel guards.
• Manufacturers must also design the vehicle in order that users may use snow traction devices*.

Rules for EU type-approval

The vehicle manufacturer must submit an application for EU type-approval to the competent authority. The application must include:

• the make and type of vehicle;
• the number of axles and wheels;
• detailed drawings of the wheel guards.

If the competent authority considers that the vehicle satisfies all of the requirements for wheel guards, it must grant EU type-approval and issue a type-approval number in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC on the EU type-approval of vehicles.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 30 November 2010.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Directives and regulations on motor vehicles, their trailers, systems and components (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1009/2010 of 9 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for wheel guards of certain motor vehicles and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 292, 10.11.2010, pp. 21-29)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, pp. 1-24)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, pp. 1-160)

See consolidated version.

last update 30.04.2019