Traffic rules for mopeds

Permitted age for driving

The Russian Traffic Regulations do not specify a minimum age for moped drivers. But it is worth considering that you must obtain a license for this transport.

IMPORTANT! For mopeds and scooters, you need to get a category “M” driver’s license, which is issued only to citizens at least 16 years of age. Therefore, only persons over sixteen years of age can drive a moped.

Many parents buy mopeds for their children aged 10-15 years. This is not only an unwise act, but also illegal, given that the child will be driving the scooter independently. If a child driving a moped is stopped by traffic police, the parents will have to pay a considerable fine.

No sidewalk rights

All bicycles, scooters and other personal vehicles equipped with electric motors are considered mopeds. An exception is proposed only for “personal mobility aids.”

This is how it is proposed to designate a vehicle “having one or more wheels (rollers), driven by the muscular energy of the person sitting on it, or having a gyroscopic stabilization system.” Simply put, we are talking about roller skates, scooters, skateboards, etc.

They will have to, as now, move exclusively on sidewalks. Electric vehicles will be required to move along the edge of the roadway or on the side of the road.

At the same time, they want to introduce an age limit for driving such vehicles - no younger than 16 years.

In addition, the Public Chamber commission proposes to prohibit the driving of the listed vehicles by drunk people and people under the influence of medications that impair reaction and attention. And also for those who feel so unwell or so tired that they can threaten traffic safety.

They want to ban people who are drunk, tired and have taken certain medications from driving new means of transportation, such as electric scooters.

Social activists planned to discuss the proposed amendments at a round table on April 19. “Based on the results of this event, we will form a document that will be open to wide public discussion.

This is a very bold and new concept that requires public opinion and citizen feedback,” TASS quotes Deputy Chairman of the Public Chamber Commission Alexander Kholodov.

“If a person is riding a scooter that cannot accelerate very much, then let him ride as he wants, he must get behind him,” says Pyotr Shkumatov, head of the working group of the All-Russian Popular Front “Defense of the Rights of Motorists.” — And if we talk about electric scooters, which have an engine with a power that does not allow them to accelerate more than 20-25 kilometers per hour, I do not see the need for additional restrictions in the traffic rules. These electric scooters shouldn’t be expected to ride on roads.”

“But if this electric scooter is powerful and can accelerate to speeds of more than 30-40 kilometers per hour, then it should be subject to all the rules that apply to mopeds and scooters, including the requirement to have a driver’s license,” says the auto expert.

In December 2021, the Scientific Center for Road Safety of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported an increase in the number of accidents involving electric scooters, Segways, unicycles and other individual vehicles by 166 percent. This is data for 9 months of last year. In total, 266 of them occurred. In such accidents, 4 people were killed and 279 were injured.

At the end of last year, it was reported that rules for the use of electric scooters, hoverboards and other personal mobility devices are planned to be prepared. Deputy head of the Russian State Traffic Safety Inspectorate Vladimir Kuzin spoke about this

“This problem will be resolved, perhaps even by the season I’m talking about, when it will be possible to use these active means of transportation.

We provide a common understanding of the so-called means of individual mobility, how to allow their movement on public roads, who to allow, how to allow and, perhaps, even how to control,” explained Kuzin.

He noted that the State Traffic Inspectorate cannot deviate from the general trend for the development of this type of transport.

It is worth recalling that last year the Ministry of Transport prepared a large-scale draft amendment to the traffic rules, which was supposed to introduce the very concept of “personal mobility means.” It was proposed to extend it to electric scooters and other modern means of transportation.

But the working group on the regulatory guillotine in December 2021 returned the bill to the authors for revision.

What are the main restrictions for drivers?

A moped and a motorcycle are different vehicles, despite the same number of wheels. The category of mopeds includes:

• M - engine capacity no more than 50 cubic meters. cm.;
• A1 - engine capacity no more than 125 cubic meters. cm.

The category indicated on the driver's license must correspond to the engine power of the vehicle. The maximum speed of a moped should not exceed 50 km/h, otherwise it can be classified as a motorcycle.

If we briefly talk about the requirements for the vehicle and its driver, then it is worth highlighting the following points:

1. You can drive a moped from the age of 16 and only if you have a license with the appropriate category.
2. The maximum speed of a moped, declared in the PTS, should be no more than 50 km/h. If an ATV has similar characteristics, then it is equated to mopeds.
3. You can carry passengers on a moped only if there are special places designated for this.
4. The vehicle must be equipped with headlights and turn signals. According to clause 19.5 of the traffic rules, all vehicles must have running lights or low beam headlights on during the daytime. At night it is forbidden to move without headlights.
5. If the vehicle's maximum speed is 40 km/h or less, entry on the highway is prohibited.
6. The driver and passengers must wear a fastened helmet.
7. A moped cannot be towed (under any circumstances). This transport is only allowed to be transported with partial or full loading on a transport vehicle. Only motor vehicles with a side trailer (sidecar) can be towed.
8. It is prohibited to transport large items on a scooter. The load must not interfere with vehicle control, block the view, or exceed the norm of 0.5 m in length or width of the motor vehicle.
9. It is prohibited to make a U-turn across tram tracks or make a left turn on the roadway (route).
10. You cannot cross the path of pedestrians while moving along a zebra crossing.
11. Drivers are required to hold the steering wheel with at least one hand while driving. Driving without hands is prohibited.

REFERENCE: If the category ML is indicated in the “special notes” column on the driver’s license, then the person will not be able to drive a moped, since this designation implies that the driver has health problems that prevent driving.

Basic traffic rules for mopeds and scooters

Since mopeds are also participants in road traffic, like other types of vehicles, they are subject to general traffic rules with some exceptions provided specifically for such lightweight motor vehicles:

Turning on the low-beam headlights allows other road users to recognize that a moped is driving ahead. The rule in paragraph 19.5 is written precisely so that participants can turn on the lights to signal that their car is somehow special, different from others.

For example, when transporting children during the day, bus drivers always turn on daytime running lights. The rule has been in force in Russia since 2010.

Otherwise, traffic police officers will have the right not only to punish mopedists financially, but also to seize the vehicle.

Where can you drive a vehicle?

The basic rule for driving on the roadway is that drivers of mopeds and scooters must move on the far right side of the lane in a single file. Thus, you can ride a moped on the same roads as a car. Besides:

• Riding a moped on the side of the road is allowed if this does not interfere with pedestrians;
• Single-file traffic is allowed in the lane for cyclists (marked with special markings).

If there are several mopeds on the lane, then they must move one after another.

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/ Legal articles on the topic of automobile law / Miscellaneous / Are mopeds and scooters vehicles and do they need a license?

Are mopeds and scooters vehicles and do they require a license?

With the beginning of each warm season, the number of mopeds and scooters on the roads of our country increases sharply, which often irritate car drivers by driving wherever they please and creating emergency situations.

Considering that in recent years the number of people wishing to purchase such a two-wheeled vehicle has increased greatly, people often ask whether mopeds and scooters are vehicles from the point of view of the law?

We will talk about this in our article today.

Let's start right away by answering the main question. Yes, of course, mopeds and scooters are classified as vehicles. All scooters and mopeds, in accordance with Article 25 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On Road Safety”, are classified as category “M” vehicles.

Formally speaking, in Russian legislation there is no such thing as a “scooter” in principle. All vehicles belonging to class “M”, and these are mopeds, scooters, scooters, quadricycles, etc., fall under the definition of “moped”, enshrined in clause 1.2 of the Russian Traffic Regulations.

Thus, in accordance with the specified traffic rules, a moped is understood as a two- or three-wheeled mechanical vehicle, the maximum design speed of which does not exceed 50 km/h, having an internal combustion engine with a displacement not exceeding 50 cubic meters. cm, or an electric motor with a rated maximum power in continuous load mode of more than 0.25 kW and less than 4 kW. Quadricycles with similar technical characteristics are considered equal to mopeds.

And although, from a technical point of view, mopeds and scooters have some differences in a number of aspects, from a legal point of view this makes absolutely no difference. In a legal sense, a scooter is a moped.

Until relatively recently, in order to ride a scooter with an engine capacity of less than 50cc, no driver's license was required. I bought it, sat down and drove off. This state of affairs led to the fact that even children aged 12-15 years old rode cheap Chinese scooters on city roads and highways, and very often became participants in serious accidents. Now the free time is over. And we think that's right. After all, a scooter is a full-fledged vehicle, essentially the same motorcycle, but with a less powerful engine. However, despite the low engine power, mopeds are able to reach very decent speeds.

Do I need a license to drive a scooter and moped?

Yes, we do. This requirement is expressly stated in the same Article 25 of the Federal Law “On Road Safety”, which states that in order to obtain the right to drive vehicles belonging to the “M” category, it is necessary to pass the appropriate exams and, upon successful completion, receive a category driver’s license "M".

In accordance with Art. 26 of the Federal Law “On Road Traffic Safety” you can take the exam from the age of 16 and from the same age you are allowed to drive a scooter.

This is important: if you already have a driver’s license of another category, for example, “A”, “B” or “C”, etc., then you do not need to take exams and obtain a separate driver’s license to drive a moped or open a separate category “M” . Holders of more “serious” licenses are allowed by law to freely ride mopeds and scooters with a basic driver’s license.

But for riding a scooter without a license, the law provides for liability, which occurs on a general basis under Part 1 of Art. 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (fine from 5 to 15 thousand rubles).

Another question that lovers of two-wheeled vehicles often ask is whether mopeds or electric bikes require a license?

We answer - they are needed, but only if such a vehicle is equipped with an electric motor with a power of more than 0.25 kW. Thus, even if you attach a mounted engine with such characteristics to a regular bicycle, it will immediately automatically fall into the category of “mopeds” and you can only ride it with a license.

Is it necessary to register a scooter with an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic meters with the traffic police?

Despite the fact that a scooter with an engine up to 50 cc. see - this is a vehicle and you need a license to drive it; you do not need to register it with the traffic police at the moment.

That's all, good luck on the roads!

Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - deprivation or fine?

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Where should vehicles be located on the roadway?

You can ride a scooter on the roadway, but only in the outermost row of the right lane. In populated areas it is also permissible to occupy the left lane. Motorcycles without a side trailer can travel in a row, occupying the right edge of the roadway.

If there is a lane for cyclists next to the roadway, then you need to move along it.

According to paragraph 24.4 of the traffic rules, a moped driver must give way to all vehicles if he is in a situation where he is moving on a bicycle path that intersects with an uncontrolled intersection.

Is there any liability for lack of rights?

Clause 2.1.1 of the Traffic Regulations establishes that having a license to drive a moped and scooter of category M is a prerequisite for legal driving in Russia.

Riding a moped or scooter without a license, if it is not carried out as part of a driving training program, is punishable by issuing a fine ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles (Clause 1 of Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation ). Punishment for committing this offense, if a person is deprived of a driver's license, is provided in the form of a fine in the amount of 30,000 rubles, or arrest for up to 15 days, or compulsory work for a period of 100 to 200 hours ( Clause 2 of Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation ).

Is it possible to transport children

Places for transporting passengers must be indicated in the registration certificate. If the availability of special seats is not documented, then passengers cannot be carried.

If there is no special seat for children (child seat) that meets the safety requirements for transporting children under 7 years of age, then they cannot be transported. Children over seven years old can be transported if there is a passenger seat provided for by the design of the vehicle. It is important to remember that all passengers, regardless of age, must have a helmet that is adjusted to fit.

IMPORTANT! You can carry children on a moped only if you have category M or A1, which is valid for at least two years (that is, the mopedist already has driving experience).

Transporting a child on a motorcycle

According to clause 22.8 of the traffic rules, it is prohibited to transport passengers on a motorcycle:

• in places not provided for by the design of the motorcycle for seating;
• in the back of a cargo motorcycle.

Based on the general requirements of traffic rules, it is allowed to transport passengers in a stroller equipped with a seat, as well as on the back seat of a motorcycle. There are no age restrictions for passengers traveling in a stroller, therefore, according to traffic regulations, a child can be transported in it at any age, provided that his safety is ensured.

According to clause 2.1.2 of the traffic rules, passengers traveling on a motorcycle must wear fastened helmets.

The rules for transporting children on a motorcycle without a stroller prohibit transporting children under 12 years of age in the back seat in accordance with clause 22.9 of the Traffic Regulations.

It is prohibited to transport children under 12 years of age on the back seat of a motorcycle.

clause 22.9 of the traffic rules

Thus, it should be taken into account that children over 12 years old are allowed to be transported in the back seat, but only with a helmet. There should only be one passenger in the back seat.

As for transporting children on scooters, traffic regulations prohibit transporting children under 7 years of age on mopeds unless there is a specially equipped place for them. Transporting children over 7 years old on a scooter is permitted if the design of the moped provides space for a passenger.

However, you should know exactly what a moped is. P1 Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation says:

“Moped” is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle driven by an engine with a displacement of not more than 50 cubic meters. cm and having a maximum design speed of no more than 50 km/h. Bicycles with a suspended engine, mopeds and other vehicles with similar characteristics are considered mopeds.

Next, look at clause 24.8 of the traffic rules

Cyclists and moped drivers are prohibited from: - transporting passengers if this is not provided for by the design of the vehicle; - transport children under 7 years of age in the absence of specially equipped places for them.

clause 24.8 of the traffic rules

In March 2021, changes were made to the traffic rules that establish requirements for drivers of motorcycles and mopeds carrying passengers. According to the new rules for the carriage of passengers:

• On a motorcycle - the driver must have more than 2 years of experience in categories A or A1;
• On a moped/scooter - more than 2 years of experience in driving a vehicle of any category.

Transportation of people on a motorcycle must be carried out by a driver who has a driver’s license for the right to drive vehicles of category “A” or subcategory “A1” for 2 or more years; transportation of people on a moped must be carried out by a driver who has a driver’s license for the right to drive vehicles of any category or subcategories for 2 or more years.

Fines for incorrectly transporting children

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Stipulated fines for violations

Like all road users, mopedists are fined for violating the rules.

• for driving a moped without a license: a fine of 500 rubles if the driver simply forgot to take a license, but has category M; from 5 to 15 thousand rubles for those who do not have rights or are expired; 30 thousand for those who were deprived of a license;
• driving on someone else's license is falsification of documents and for this you can be arrested for up to 6 months, or assigned correctional labor;
• for the absence of an MTPL insurance policy or registration - 800 rubles;
• driving while intoxicated entails a fine of 30 thousand, as well as deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of 1.5 to 2 years;
• for the absence of a helmet (or if it is not fastened, including for the passenger) - a fine of 1000 rubles. A helmet on a moped is like a seat belt on a car;
• for exceeding the speed limit, violating maneuvering rules, etc. Moped drivers face the same fines as motorists.

A moped is a full-fledged vehicle, albeit with some operational features. Mopedists have both privileges (for example, in the form of permitted movement on the sidewalk) and restrictions. You should take scooter driving seriously and follow all traffic rules.

Minimum age to ride a scooter

It may seem that the answer is clear - from the age of sixteen. In reality, everything is not so simple. Domestic traffic rules provide for no minimum age restrictions. In order to fully drive a vehicle on public roads, you must have a valid license, and the category can be any. Naturally, you can only get a driving license from the age of sixteen. Based on this, the solution to this issue will be as follows: getting behind the wheel and driving is allowed only after obtaining a license.