The abbreviations PKW and KFZ are often used in everyday life. But few people know the difference between the passenger car and the motor vehicle. While the motor vehicle includes a large group of motor-driven vehicles, the passenger vehicle is mainly used for the transport of people.
definition motor vehicle
The abbreviation KFZ stands for motor vehicle. Under it all land vehicles are understood, which are equipped with an engine and are thus machine-driven. besides machine power, motor vehicles are also not bound to rails. While the term KFZ is mainly used in germany and austria, in switzerland the word motofahrzeug is used. MFZ used.
While motor vehicles mainly include cars and motorcycles, boats, trains, streetcars and airplanes are not considered motor vehicles. Although trailers for motor vehicles exist as well, they also do not fall under the category of. motorcycles are mainly understood as single-track motor vehicles like motorcycles. Two- and multi-track motor vehicles are again divided into nutzkraftwagen and. NKW or passenger car resp. Car subdivided.
The classification of motor vehicles can also be extended even further. Nkws resp. commercial motor vehicles include trucks resp. trucks, buses and coaches. COM as well as tractors. Thus, passenger cars belong to the group of motor vehicles along with commercial vehicles. In order to be allowed to drive a motor vehicle, appropriate proof in the form of a driver’s license or permit is always required.
definition of passenger car
Under passenger car or. cars are understood to be motor-driven vehicles that have at least four wheels. Colloquially they are called automobiles or. cars designated. In principle one takes with the designation PKW and/or. Car small vehicles. Nevertheless, strictly speaking, trucks also belong to the group of cars.
passenger cars are mainly used for the transport of persons as well as for the transport of goods and luggage. In addition, cars are allowed to pull trailers just like trucks. The law on the transportation of passengers defines motor vehicles as those which, due to their design and equipment, are intended and suitable for the transportation of a maximum of nine persons including the driver. If the vehicle can carry more than nine people, it is a different type of motor vehicle.
Difference to commercial vehicles
Commercial vehicles or. commercial vehicles are not only intended for transporting a maximum of nine people or a small quantity of goods. They are mainly used for transporting goods or people and for towing trailer vehicles. For example, small trucks, buses or short trains fall under the category of commercial vehicles, although they differ in size and load capacity.
Difference for insurance
motor vehicles must be registered and insured for use. However, the insurance as well as the insurance premium differs depending on the motor vehicle. cars can be insured against damage and accidents by means of liability insurance. This also applies to motorcycles. For the operation of commercial vehicles insurance premiums are also due. However, as a rule, cars are used by individuals and companies, and nkws only by companies, which means that there are different insurance options.