What is a vehículo mixto adaptable?

A vehicle that can carry people, goods or both, by adding or removing seats, up to a maximum of nine seats including the driver.

Is a dual-purpose vehicle the same as a bus?

No. A bus has more than nine seats including the driver and is designed solely for collective passenger transport.

What is its top speed in Spain?

100 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, and 90 km/h on roads reserved for motor vehicles — lower than the 120 km/h allowed for a car.

Adaptable dual-purpose vehicle

Definition

An adaptable dual-purpose vehicle (vehículo mixto adaptable) is a vehicle that can be used to carry people, goods or both at once, because its seats can be added or removed to turn the load area into seating and back again. The ceiling is nine seats including the driver. Even when it is carrying passengers it is not a bus: a bus has more than nine seats including the driver and is built specifically for collective passenger transport. In practice these are vans with removable seats, normally under 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass.

Speed limits and the HOV lane

The generic speed limit for a dual-purpose vehicle is always lower than for a car: 100 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, against 120 km/h for a car, and 90 km/h on a road reserved for motor vehicles. It may use a high-occupancy (VAO) lane provided its maximum authorised mass is under 3,500 kg, it is not towing a trailer and it carries the minimum number of occupants set for that stretch; a driver displaying the V-15 reduced-mobility plate may use it alone.

Key facts

Carries people and/or goods, up to 9 seats including the driver.
Not a bus, even when carrying passengers.
100 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways; 90 km/h on roads for motor vehicles.
May use the VAO lane under 3,500 kg and without a trailer.
Must carry a reflective vest, and must pass the ITV inspection.

Keep studying

Frequently asked questions

What is a vehículo mixto adaptable?: A vehicle that can carry people, goods or both, by adding or removing seats, up to a maximum of nine seats including the driver.
Is a dual-purpose vehicle the same as a bus?: No. A bus has more than nine seats including the driver and is designed solely for collective passenger transport.
What is its top speed in Spain?: 100 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, and 90 km/h on roads reserved for motor vehicles — lower than the 120 km/h allowed for a car.

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