Guides · Driving licence & registration
LOF, T3b or L7e: what's the difference? Which registration types are there for quads and ATVs?
LOF, T3b or L7e? We explain the main types of registration for quads and ATVs and show what to look out for when buying a vehicle.
Which registration types are there for quads and ATVs?
When you buy a quad or ATV, it is not just the vehicle itself that matters. The registration type is important too, because among other things it determines how the vehicle is type-approved for use on public roads.
T3b registration
Many current ATVs are offered as agricultural or forestry tractors in the European vehicle class T3b. On classic T3b vehicles, the maximum design speed is often 60 km/h. There are now also T3b vehicles with ABS, however, which can reach considerably higher speeds depending on their type approval.
LOF registration
LOF stands for “land- oder forstwirtschaftliche Zugmaschine” (agricultural or forestry tractor). For many years this registration type was especially common in Germany for powerful quads and ATVs. Since the end of 2024, the former national LOF registration has generally no longer been the usual registration route for new vehicles. Vehicles already registered as LOF are still relevant on the used market, though.
L7e registration
L7e is a European vehicle class for heavy four-wheeled motor vehicles (heavy quadricycles). It is found mainly on certain quads and differs considerably from a T3b registration in its technical requirements.
Which registration is the right one?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. What counts is the specific vehicle, its type approval and how you plan to use it. When buying a vehicle, always check which registration the specific model actually has and which technical data are entered in the vehicle documents.
