Heavy Vehicles: how to classify and differentiate the various types of road transport vehicles

In the world of logistics and road transport, correctly classifying vehicles is essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. In particular, distinguishing between heavy vehicles, light vehicles, and the various types of transport makes it possible to optimize operations and select the most suitable vehicle depending on the load, destination, and specific requirements.

What is meant by “heavy transport”?

The term heavy transport refers to the movement of goods or vehicles requiring the use of industrial vehicles or trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 3.5 tonnes. This type of transport is intended for moving large volumes, vehicles, construction materials, machinery, or goods in bulk. Heavy transport is subject to specific regulations, including weight and size limits, as well as special permits for circulation on certain road sections.

Which vehicles are considered heavy vehicles?

Heavy vehicles include all categories of freight transport vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 3.5 tonnes. The main types of heavy vehicles are:

Trucks (rigid trucks with open or closed body)
Articulated lorries (tractor unit + semi-trailer)
Road trains (tractor unit + full trailer)
Car carriers (specifically equipped for vehicle transport)
Construction vehicles (used in building sites, such as concrete mixers or tippers)
Tankers (for the transport of liquids or gases)

All these vehicles are designed to withstand heavy loads and are often equipped with reinforced safety systems, pneumatic brakes, and robust suspensions to handle the stresses of heavy-duty transport.

What are light vehicles?

Light vehicles are those with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 tonnes or less, used for urban or regional transport of small loads. The main types of light vehicles include:

Vans
Pick-ups
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)

These vehicles generally do not require a driving license above category B and provide greater agility and easier parking compared to heavy vehicles. They are ideal for express deliveries, last-mile logistics, and short-distance transport.

What are the different types of transport?

In the logistics sector, transport can be classified according to several criteria:

By mode of transport:
- Road transport
- Rail transport
- Maritime transport
- Air transport
- Intermodal transport (combination of two or more modes)
By type of goods transported:
- General cargo transport
- Refrigerated transport (for food products and pharmaceuticals)
- Waste transport
- Hazardous goods transport (ADR)
- Vehicle transport
By type of vehicle used:
- Vans
- Flatbed or box trucks
- Tankers
- Container carriers
- Car carriers

This classification allows logistics operators to better plan transport, optimize costs, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Transporting vans with a car carrier: how does it work?

Transporting vans with a car carrier is an efficient solution for moving multiple commercial or industrial vehicles at once. The car carriers used for this type of transport are specially designed with mobile ramps and adjustable decks to accommodate vehicles of different sizes.

The process generally involves the following stages:

Vehicle loading: vans are manually driven onto the car carrier via ramps and secured with special locking systems.
Technical inspection: each vehicle is checked for integrity, often with a photographic report.
Road transport: the car carrier follows the planned route, complying with speed limits and road transport regulations.
Unloading and delivery: the vans are safely unloaded at the destination yard, ready for further distribution or use.

Transport by car carrier is one of the safest and most efficient solutions for transferring company fleets or vehicles intended for sale.

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