A vehicle can be converted from category M (passenger transport) into a category N vehicle (goods transport), with the agreement of the manufacturer. This conversion is of course only possible if the criteria corresponding to category N are met.
A vehicle that does not meet these criteria is automatically classified as category M:
- It must be possible to load goods through a back door, tailboard or side door designed and constructed for that purpose
- The loading opening of a back door or tailboard must comply with the following requirements:
- if the vehicle has only one row of seats or only one driver's seat, the minimum height of the loading opening must be at least 600 mm;
- if the vehicle has two or more rows of seats, the minimum height of the loading opening must be at least 800 mm and the opening must have a surface area of at least 12,800 cm²;
- The load compartment (part of the vehicle behind the row(s) of seat(s)) must meet the following requirements:
- the surface of the loading compartment must be roughly flat;
- if the vehicle has only one row of seats or only one seat, the minimum length of the loading surface must correspond to at least 50% of the wheelbase to obtain the taxation for category N;
- if the vehicle has two or more rows of seats, the minimum length of the loading compartment must be at least 50% of the wheelbase to obtain the taxation for category N. If the seats in the last row can be easily removed from the vehicle without the use of special tools, the load compartment length requirements must be met when all seats are installed in the vehicle;
- the load compartment length requirements must be met with the seats in the first or last row, as applicable, in the normal upright position for use by occupants and as far back as possible;
- the load compartment has no seats or anchor points to secure them, or they have been removed or rendered unusable:
- Either by welding
- Or by installing a plate welded, riveted or glued to the floor of the load compartment
- Maximum number of passenger seats, excluding driver:
- N1: 6 seats
- N2 and N3: 8 seats
- The seat belts must not be removed in the load compartment
- The front of the load compartment must have a vertical partition at least 20 cm high. This partition is permanently fixed across the entire width. All these criteria apply in a vehicle in which the driver's cabin and the loading area are in the same unit. The presence of a separation or a complete or partial partition between a row of seats and the load compartment has no influence on this point
- In principle, the compartment(s) where the seats are located must be completely separate from the loading area. However, persons and goods may be transported in the same compartment if the loading space is equipped with securing devices to protect the persons transported from sliding loads while driving. (Sections 3 and 4 of ISO 27956:2009 Road vehicles - Securing of cargo in delivery vans - Requirements)