Are Trolleybuses Classified as Motor Vehicles?
2 Answers
Trolleybuses are classified as motor vehicles. Definition of Motor Vehicle: Motor vehicles, abbreviated as "motor vehicles," are wheeled "vehicles" driven or towed by their own power devices, operating without tracks and capable of traveling on land. In China, they generally refer to vehicles used on roads for passenger transport, goods delivery, or specialized operations, excluding any vehicles operating on tracks. Classification of Motor Vehicles: They are categorized by purpose into sedans, buses, trucks, specialized transport vehicles, tractors, and special-purpose vehicles, among others. Automobiles represent a fast, mobile, comfortable, and convenient mode of land transportation. Since the German inventor Benz produced the first gasoline-powered automobile in 1885, the global number of automobiles exceeded 500 million by 1988 and reached nearly 700 million by 2000, averaging one car for every nine people, with over 70% being sedans suitable for personal use. Currently, the global automobile production capacity exceeds 71 million vehicles annually, with yearly production surpassing 50 million units.
This issue should be examined from a legal definition perspective. According to China's 'Road Traffic Safety Law,' motor vehicles refer to vehicles driven by power devices, including various trucks, buses, and electric vehicles. Although trolleybuses have overhead wires and are powered by electricity, they are equipped with engines, can carry passengers, and must comply with traffic regulations—such as requiring license plates, compulsory traffic insurance, and regular annual inspections. Drivers must also hold an A1 license to operate them, just like regular buses. Therefore, from a regulatory standpoint, trolleybuses are entirely classified as motor vehicles. On the road, they must obey traffic lights like any other vehicle, and in the event of an accident, the liability determination process is no different from that for cars.
