What type of vehicle is a light-duty flatbed truck?
3 Answers
According to the regulations on permissible driving license categories, light-duty flatbed trucks fall under the category of small vehicles and can be driven with C1, C2, C3, or C4 driver's licenses. A light-duty truck is defined as a cargo vehicle with a length less than 6000mm and a total mass less than 4500kg, excluding mini cargo vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, and low-speed trucks. Additional information: 1. Light-duty cargo vehicles are a type of truck. According to China's motor vehicle specifications, 'light-duty' is defined as having a total mass of 6000kg or less. Additionally, trucks are categorized into four types based on load capacity: heavy-duty, medium-duty, light-duty, and mini. 2. With changes in the market demand structure and product adjustments for cargo vehicles, competition in the cargo vehicle market has evolved from 'medium trucks' to a diverse competitive landscape encompassing heavy-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, and mini trucks. As a result, competition in China's cargo vehicle market has shifted from being broad to more segmented, with each segment showcasing distinct competitive dynamics.
My neighbor just bought this type of vehicle for his renovation business and we talked about its classification. Light-duty flatbed trucks are essentially light general-purpose trucks, with a total mass not exceeding 4.5 tons as per national regulations. The cab and cargo compartment are separated, with only low side panels and no roof on the cargo box, making it ideal for transporting construction materials and tools. When purchasing, the vehicle registration will directly state 'light-duty flatbed truck'. The operational nature is divided into non-commercial and commercial use, and a regular household Class C license is sufficient to drive it. However, be cautious not to exceed the legal height modification limit of 0.5 meters—I saw news about someone being fined for adding taller side panels. This type of vehicle is particularly common in urban-rural fringe areas, offering more cargo capacity than mini trucks without requiring a Class B license.
My family runs a wholesale fruit business, and we use three flatbed trucks in the store every day. This type of truck is a kind of light-duty truck, but it's different from a van. The key is to look at the vehicle type and total mass marked on the vehicle registration certificate. Its most distinctive feature is the open cargo box with removable side panels, and the overall vehicle size usually does not exceed 6 meters. The unladen weight is around 2 tons, with a rated load capacity of 1-2 tons. It can be driven with a blue license plate and a Category C driver's license, but business owners should note: transporting goods requires a road transport permit, and the vehicle must undergo two inspections annually. The insurance premium rate is higher than that of ordinary passenger cars, as it falls under the category of commercial vehicles.
