Without prejudice to the application of the provisions of Article 7, this Directive shall not apply to:

1. (a)

   special purpose vehicles as defined in part A, point 5, of Annex II to Directive 70/156/EEC;

2. (b)

   multi-stage built vehicles belonging to category N₁, provided that the base vehicle complies with this Directive;

3. (c)

   vehicles produced in small series, referred to in Article 8(2)(a) of Directive 70/156/EEC.