Moped the most important rules for moped moped and co

If the bicycle is too slow for you, the motorcycle too dangerous and the car too expensive, you might be interested in another means of transportation: the moped. This is not a specific type of vehicle, but a whole class of vehicles, to which u. a. Mopeds, S-pedelecs and scooters count. The following guide reveals what regulations you need to be aware of when you take to the road on a moped.

FAQ: Motorcycle

As a rule, yes. If you want to drive a moped, you must have a driver's license class AM. If you already have a class B, A1, A2, A or T driver's license, class AM is already included in it. For a moped, only a certificate of inspection is required, but even this is not necessary if you already have a driver's license (any class). And were you informed before the 1. Born on April 1965, you don't even need a test certificate or a driver's license to drive a moped.

Yes, you are obliged to take out a liability insurance for your moped and to provide it with an insurance license plate. Without insurance, you may face a fine or even imprisonment.

Yes, you are allowed to carry a trailer behind your moped.

The definition of "small motorcycle

Strictly speaking, the term "moped" covers two vehicle classes defined in Appendix XXIX Annex 2 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO):

L1e = two-wheeled mopeds with ..

• a maximum design speed of max. 45 km/h
• a cubic capacity of max. 50 cm³ (only for combustion engine)
• a maximum continuous rated power of up to 4 kW (only for electric motors)

L2e = three-wheeled mopeds with ..

• a design-conditioned maximum speed of max. 45 km/h
• a cubic capacity of max. 50 cm³ (only with gasoline engine)
• a maximum useful power of up to 4 kW (for other internal combustion engines)
• a maximum continuous rated power of up to 4 kW (only for electric motors)

On the basis of these characteristics, it is relatively easy to distinguish the moped from the light motorcycle (cubic capacity between 50 cm³ and 125 cm³ and max. 15 hp) and to be distinguished from the "real" motorcycle (no restrictions on engine capacity and power).

Mopeds, light mopeds, mopeds, S-pedelecs and scooters belong to the category of mopeds.

Which regulations apply to the moped?

The above definition helps to clarify whether a particular vehicle model is a moped or not. This is important because the vehicle class determines which regulations have to be observed with that vehicle.

In the following we would like to explain to you the most important rules, which you must consider with a small motorcycle.

The right driving license class and the minimum age

To be allowed to drive a moped in public areas, you need the driving license class AM. This is stipulated in § 6 para. 1 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV) states. You can acquire this class either by a corresponding driving school training with subsequent examination or you possess it already for a long time, because you are already in the possession of a driving license of the classes A, A1, A2, B or T. Because these classes automatically include the class AM. You may also drive a moped with your car license and do not have to attend driving school again.

If you want to acquire the driving license class AM in the driving school, you must fulfill the prescribed minimum age. This was according to § 10 Abs. 1 FEV usually 16 years, but since April 2020, each state is free to lower the minimum age to 15 years. Many countries have already done this like z. B. Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. However, this regulation is subject to the requirement that license holders, as long as they do not exceed the 16. If you have not yet reached the age of 16, you are only allowed to drive within the corresponding federal state.

There is also an exemption for mopeds with a maximum design speed of no more than 25 km/h (§ 4 Para. 1 no. 1b FEV). You may drive these without a driving license. These are usually mopeds. For this you do not need a driver's license, but only a test certificate. You can also acquire this class at the age of 15.

By the way: If you want to take a child under the age of 7 on your moped, you must be at least 16 years old (§ 10 para. 4 FeV). This applies in every federal state and also on the moped. If you disregard this regulation, you will be fined 10 euros.

Registration and insurance for mopeds

According to § 3 Abs. 2 no. 1d of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV), you do not need a registration for your moped, which is why it does not need to have a license plate. Likewise, there is no obligation to take your moped to the TuV regularly.

However, you must purchase liability insurance for your moped and display an appropriate insurance license plate on your vehicle. If this license plate is missing from your moped, you could be fined 40 euros. And if you have failed to take out the mandatory liability insurance, you are even committing a criminal offense. This can cause you according to § 6 Abs. 1 of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) can result in a fine or even imprisonment of up to one year.

The moped in the StVZO

Finally, we want to list some regulations of the StVZO in relation to the moped. These specify the requirements that must be met in order for your moped to be driven on public roads. Thus, u. a. The following:

• Two-wheeled mopeds must be equipped with measures against unauthorized interference (d. h. against unauthorized changes that may affect the environment or safety) have.
• The width of two-wheeled mopeds must not exceed 1 m.
• A tread depth of at least 1 mm is prescribed for the tires of mopeds.
• There is no obligation to equip a moped with a safety device against unauthorized use.
• Three-wheeled mopeds must be equipped with windshields, windshield wipers, windshield washers, defrosters and dryers.
• A moped does not need a turn signal.

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