Moped driving – rules driving license & fines

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At what age can you ride a moped? Depending on the state, it's allowed from age 15 or 16

From 1951 Rex-Motorwerke built mopeds for the first time in Germany – motorized two-wheelers. Even today they are still very popular, especially among the very young generation who are not yet allowed to drive a car. Because in some states, teenagers are allowed to drive a moped as young as 15 – in all other states, it's possible from the age of 16. In this guide we summarize the most important rules for moped drivers.

FAQ: Riding a moped

No. Moped drivers need at least a class AM driver's license. But you can also drive a moped with your car license. On the other hand, anyone who embarks on the journey completely without a driver's license is committing a criminal offense.

Normally, moped drivers must be at least 16 years old. In some states, z. B. in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia you are already allowed to drive a moped when you are 15 years old. In all other states, 15-year-olds are not allowed to sit on this little bike, because otherwise they are liable to prosecution.

Moped riders must abide by essentially the same rules as car drivers. They also have a helmet requirement. Read more in this section.

Driving a moped at the age of 15 – in some federal states this is possible

Is it allowed to drive a moped with a car license?

If you want to drive a moped, you need a Class AM driver's license. This is the driving license class for mopeds with a cubic capacity of no more than 50 cc and a maximum design speed of 45 km/h.

Normally, only young people over the age of 16 are allowed to fly. At the age of two acquire this moped driver's license. But in some federal states, this is already possible at 15 years of age.

The basis for this innovation is the "Act Amending the Road Traffic Act and Other Road Traffic Regulations", which the Bundesrat passed on 19.11.2020 has approved. After this change in the law, the federal states can set the minimum age for the moped driver's license themselves.

Driving a moped from the age of 15 is currently possible in the following states (as of 12. March 2021):

  • Brandenburg
  • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Saxony
  • Saxony-Anhalt
  • Schleswig-Holstein
  • Thuringia

Attention! In all other states, 15-year-olds are not allowed to ride mopeds because they are driving without a license, which would make them liable to prosecution. However, juveniles are not threatened with adult punishment, but with educational measures or means of discipline, z. B. Community service.

Driving school for moped license: theory, practice and exam

You are not allowed to ride your moped on the sidewalk or park on it

Each driving school starts with theory lessons – 14 hours of 90 minutes each. The driving instructor teaches you the basics of public road traffic and moped theory.

Those who have passed the theory test can drive a moped for the first time in practical lessons. In contrast to the car driving license, there are no requirements how the practical training has to be done. Decisive for the duration of the driving school until the test is the ability of the learner driver and his learning successes.

As part of the practical classes, you will learn in particular:

Night and cross-country trips, on the other hand, are normally not provided for.

Car drivers, by the way, are allowed to drive with their B license with the moped. So you do not have to get another driver's license.

The most important traffic rules for moped drivers

Moped riders absolutely need an operating license and liability insurance. The latter is evidenced by an insurance license plate that must be attached to the moped. Keep the following in mind here:

Moped driving: This sign allows parking on sidewalks

  • You must apply for and replace a new license plate every year. Because each insurance year begins on 1. March.
  • If you forget this and drive moped without appropriate license plate, you make yourself liable to prosecution. You will then be driving without insurance cover and will be liable yourself if you cause damage to others in an accident.

Among the most important traffic rules for drivers of mopeds is the requirement to wear a helmet. If you ride a moped without wearing a helmet, you will have to pay a fine of 15 Euro.

Even though the fine seems very small, don't risk a ride without a helmet – for the sake of your health. The fact is that two-wheeler drivers are at a much higher risk of being involved in a serious accident than car drivers.

Full-face or flip-up helmets are best, even though they may look a bit clunkier on a moped. Jet helmets are not as safe in comparison, in part because they don't protect the sensitive chin area.

Park moped on the sidewalk?

Mopeds may only be parked on the sidewalk if ..

  • a parking space marking exists or
  • an appropriate sign that allows – the traffic sign 315 (blue sign with car on the sidewalk)

Otherwise, mopeds are absolutely prohibited from parking on sidewalks. Although policemen and law enforcement officers sometimes turn a blind eye, if the vehicle does not obstruct anyone. But this is not a guarantee.

Photo credits: Depositphotos.com/Olegkalina, Fotolia.com/antonloshchinin, Depositphotos.com/Eivaisla, own image