motor vehicle

The United States has one of the world's highest rates of vehicle ownership per capita in the world, with 850 vehicles in operation (VIO) per 1000 people in 2022. Electric bicycles parked in Yangzhou's main street, Wenchang Lu. They are a very common form of transport in this city, in some areas almost outnumbering regular bicycles. British motorcycle manufacturer A motor vehicle, also known as a motorized vehicle, automotive vehicle, automobile, or road vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on rails (such as trains or trams), does not fly (such as airplanes or helicopters), does not float on water (such as boats or ships), and is used for the transportation of people or cargo.

The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually a gasoline/diesel internal combustion engine or an electric traction motor, or some combination of the two as in hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. For legal purposes, motor vehicles are often identified within many vehicle classes, including cars, buses, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, light trucks, and regular trucks. These classifications vary according to the legal codes of each country. ISO 3833:1977 is the standard for road vehicle types, terms, and definitions. Typically, to avoid requiring people with disabilities from having to possess an operator's license to use one, or requiring tags and insurance, powered wheelchairs are specifically excluded by law from being considered motor vehicles.