Categories of license to drive motorcycles
Currently, the main category for driving two-wheeled motor vehicles is A. This includes motorcycles, scooters and other similar vehicles. At first glance, everything is simple. However, if previously it was possible to obtain the appropriate license at 16, now the law requires that the driver be at least 18 years old. For those who can’t wait to get behind the wheel, category A1 is provided. It allows you to pass your license at 16, but you can only drive motorcycles with an engine capacity of no more than 125 cubic centimeters and a power of less than 11 kW.
Also, do not forget about subcategory B1 - these are tricycles and quadricycles, and category M - mopeds and light quadricycles. It is worthwhile to dwell on each individual case in more detail in order to determine what category of rights is needed for a motorcycle of one type or another.
Tips for obtaining a motorcycle driver's license
In our country, you need a license to drive a motorcycle.
To open category A you must go through three stages:
- theory,
- demonstration of your driving skills at a specialized site,
- obtaining a driver's license.
If you follow the following recommendations, you can easily pass your license:
- If you are under 16 years of age, you can start learning to ride a motorcycle with an instructor at the age of 14,
- To obtain a license you need to successfully pass the theoretical and practical part,
- Bring the required set of documents to the exam.
Scooters and mopeds
The traffic rules of the Russian Federation define a moped as a vehicle with two or three wheels, the engine capacity of which cannot be more than 50 cubic meters, and the maximum speed is 50 km/h. In this case, the location of the wheels does not matter.
A scooter (aka motor scooter) is easy to distinguish from other two-wheeled vehicles: the design includes a recess with a platform for the feet, thanks to which the driver does not sit astride, just like on a chair. As a rule, models with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm3 are supplied to the European market.
Such mopeds and scooters fall under category M. They are allowed to be driven from 16 years of age, and not from 14, as before. The category is automatically assigned upon receipt of any driver's license. For example, you can take an A1 or B license and immediately get an M.
But not all scooter models fall under the definition of a moped. There are scooters that can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. In such cases, focusing on the engine size, you can understand what category of license is needed. A motorcycle up to 125 cubic centimeters requires category A1, with more power - A.
Is a driver's license required for scooters with an engine up to 50cc
Thinking about the need for a driver's license for motorcyclists, many Russians wonder whether they are necessary for those who ride scooters with an engine up to 50 cc. According to federal law, this type of transport requires the driver to have a category “M” license. This means that a minor can obtain a license to drive a scooter.
Until 2013, young people could safely ride this type of motor vehicle. At that time, there were many traffic accidents, which became the main reason for the ban on driving a scooter or moped without obtaining an “M” category driver’s license.
By law, a teenager is required not only to present documents if stopped by a traffic police officer, but also to wear a motorcycle helmet. If he does not even have a passport, the vehicle will be temporarily confiscated from the young man until he pays a fine for violating traffic rules.
Some schoolchildren equip their bicycles with engines, which results in a homemade moped, which is done in order to deceive the law and move freely on this vehicle on any roads.
It is worth noting that this technique also requires a category “M” driver’s license. In order to be able to legally use motorcycles, you must take courses and pass an exam for category “A” or “A1”. The first license applies to classic and sports motorcycles, and the second license applies to light motorcycles up to 125 cc.
Light motorcycles
Motorcycles up to 125cc have a number of advantages over both mopeds and more powerful equipment. They reach speeds of up to 130 km/h and weigh little, so even beginners can handle them. In addition, the variety of models allows you to choose a convenient option for the city or for driving over rough terrain.
Which motorcycles do not require a license? Unfortunately, to operate equipment up to 125 cubic meters you will have to obtain category A1. The disadvantage of this option is that if you want to change the iron horse to something more serious, with a higher cubic capacity, you will need to attend a driving school again. Category A1 does not give the right to drive a motorcycle with a power higher than 11 kilowatts.
Is it allowed to drive sports equipment on the road?
Based on recent Supreme Court rulings, a sports motorcycle or similar sports equipment can be used as a form of transport. Moreover, when it complies with the definition of the law and technical parameters. Therefore, it is allowed to ride a motocross motorcycle on public roads. But this is only theoretical and does not mean that there is no violation.
The question is that Federal Law 196-FZ in Article 15, paragraph 3 allows vehicles to travel on the road only if they are registered and documents are prepared at the traffic police department. However, they cannot be registered, since there is no PTS. But pit bikes and sports motorcycles are manufactured at the factory as equipment for sports and recreation, and no title is provided for them.
Therefore, the State Traffic Inspectorate will not register a motorcycle classified as sports equipment. Due to this, it cannot be driven on public roads. A pit bike can only be transported by loading it onto a special trailer.
What territories can you drive in?
The law does not define the exact rules where pit bikes can be driven. You can drive on them without violation only in those territories where traffic rules do not apply. These are fields (but not field roads), forests, mountains, sports tracks, and other places where there are no roads for ordinary cars and other vehicles.
This issue is controversial, since precise legal regulation has not been established, and the courts interpret the problem differently.
Sportbikes
A beautiful and powerful high-capacity sports bike, the dream of most motorcyclists, is also the worst nightmare of most people. While the former associate it with adrenaline and complete freedom, the others associate it with a wild roar and deadly maneuvers.
Sports motorcycles are difficult to control, have a rather uncomfortable riding position and are designed for riding on special high-speed routes. But, despite this, they are very popular in Russia, and most motorcyclists ride them on public roads.
Of course, to operate such equipment, you need to be an experienced driver. And, of course, it’s not difficult to understand what licenses are needed for a motorcycle of 250 cc and above. You can't do without a category A driver's license.
Caution is paramount
Getting behind the wheel of a motorcycle without a license is irresponsible and dangerous both for the driver himself and the road users around him. This is especially true in situations where the owner of the vehicle has no idea about the current Rules - in this case, he poses a mortal threat to everyone else. Therefore, before going on the road, you should take care of obtaining a driver’s license - the procedure takes only 1-4 months and does not require large expenses in comparison with purchasing a motorcycle. Of course, you can drive a motorcycle without documents outside the roads - on race tracks, off-road and on private property. However, it does not hurt to undergo training so as not to find yourself in extremely dangerous situations that threaten human life.
Classic motorcycles and cruisers
Despite the fascination with high-speed models, road motorcycles do not lose their relevance. Driving both a classic and a cruiser on asphalt is as comfortable as possible. Thanks to their design, they provide a comfortable straight fit.
Many people are interested in the size of a license for a motorcycle of this type. There are no exceptions for cruisers and classics; a driver's license is required for all vehicles. Up to 125 cubic meters - A1, above this value - category A.
What is the punishment for going on the road?
A motorcyclist riding a cross-bike will certainly attract the attention of traffic police officers. The consequences can be very different. If the driver drove carefully and according to the rules, then the inspector can let him go without any punishment. If the conversation between the offender and the policeman does not go well, then the motorcyclist can receive many fines: for driving an unregistered vehicle, for driving without a license, for various malfunctions of the motorcycle (for example, the inspector may interpret the absence of headlights as a malfunction) - and this is just a small list what awaits motorcyclists who take to the road on cross bikes.
However, there is some good news. All these responsibilities are imposed on vehicle drivers, and cross bikes, as already clarified above, do not apply to vehicles. That is, the motorcyclist will be able to challenge any of these fines. The first step is to submit an application to the head of the traffic police department within 10 days from the date of drawing up the protocol. If this action does not bring results, you will have to go to court.
In any case, you should not go on public roads on motorcycles that are not intended for this: firstly, it is dangerous, and secondly, a meeting with the police will definitely lead to problems, even if the fines can be appealed.
Motorcycles with sidecars
Previously, such equipment was very popular in the USSR; it was used as an inexpensive and accessible alternative to a passenger car. Throughout the 20th century, motorcycles with a cradle were widespread in the armies of different countries. But over time, they began to lose popularity and are currently produced in limited quantities.
At first glance, it seems obvious that riding a motorcycle with a sidecar is very different from riding a two-wheeler. This is a much less maneuverable, but also more stable technique that requires special skills. Therefore, it is not always immediately clear what license is needed for a motorcycle with a sidecar.
But if you remember that the cradle, as a rule, can be unhooked, everything falls into place. Management will also require Category A, without any additional training. However, before you hit the road on a motorcycle with a side trailer, you need to thoroughly study the characteristics of its behavior on the road. An inexperienced driver can easily cause the vehicle to tip over when turning or lose control due to pulling to the side when accelerating and braking.
Pitbike - do you need a driver's license?
The legislation gives the driver the right to drive a vehicle on a public road. It is also allowed to move around the territory adjacent to it and other places where traffic rules are established. Therefore, a prerequisite is the ability to travel to these places.
If you carefully read the passport of a sports motorcycle, which is an equipment, and the manual for it, you can find out the following: it should be used for active recreation and sports competitions. A PTS is not issued for him, but he has a regular passport.
From this we can conclude that motorcycle sports equipment is not used on public roads. Therefore, a license for it is not required, regardless of the characteristics of the motor installed on it. This means that this motorcycle cannot be considered a vehicle. This fact was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Russia in its ruling dated February 13, 2015, number 13-AD 15-1. It turns out that at sporting events you can ride a motorcycle without a license?
If you carefully study the decisions of the Supreme Court, you will find conflicting information in them. For example, that according to the manufacturer’s documents, a motocross motorcycle or pit bike is used most often for recreation and sports. But it doesn’t say that you can’t drive on public roads. In addition, if its parameters are suitable for a vehicle, which may belong to categories M or A.
This conclusion of the Supreme Court gives the right to assert that a license for motorcycle sports equipment is required, but only for driving on public roads and other places where the Traffic Rules apply. If you ride a cross-country motorcycle through fields, mountains or forests, as well as sports tracks, then you don’t need a driver’s license.
But even in this case, you can look at the term “road” from the point of view of the Rules. Logically, it is “a strip of land adapted and used for movement.” In other words, the road in the forest, according to traffic rules, also corresponds to this name. But is it possible to ride a cross-country motorcycle, which is considered just equipment, on city highways?
Cross motorcycles
This class of vehicles is also called SUVs. They are designed for motocross racing. They lack headlights and other lighting, and the rubber does not provide the required level of grip on the road surface. According to the law of the Russian Federation, cross-bikes are sports equipment and do not require registration or registration.
In view of the above, the most obvious answer to the question of which motorcycles do not require a license is motocross bikes. But you need to take into account one important detail: driving on public roads is prohibited! According to the law, a motocross motorcycle must be delivered to the track only with the help of special equipment. In no case under your own power.
Responsibility and punishment for driving on public roads with sports equipment
If it is prohibited to ride pit bikes and cross-country bikes under traffic regulations, then what punishment awaits the unfortunate owner if he is stopped by traffic police inspectors? In fact, there is no specific punishment for driving sports equipment on public roads; there is no article in the rules in which these formulations are used. But riding around the city on a pit bike or any other motorcycle without a title, you are going against the basic provisions for allowing vehicles to be used for operation. Your motorcycle has no right to be on public roads; you are violating a number of points. Therefore, the choice of punishment depends entirely on the inspector.
If you do not have a license, then the punishment will be as severe as possible, a fine from 5 to 15 thousand rubles for driving without a license and a impound lot for a motorcycle.
If there are rights, then at the discretion of the inspector. The most unpleasant consequences are a fine, which in any case will hit your pocket.
The Harsh Reality of Driving on Public Roads
How to drive on road traffic conditions with sports equipment?
If, despite this, you want to ride on the roads on your motorcycle as a means of transport, then we are, to put it mildly, not your friends. We are against this and warn you in advance that this will not end well for you. If we speak in the words of the great GAV, then you automatically put yourself in the category of “dug beak” (watch YouTube “helmet”). Using sports equipment, you pose a danger to yourself and others. And the lack of documents will keep you in constant nervous tension associated with the danger of meeting with the traffic police. If an inspector tries to stop you, you will probably try to drive away and easily become an object of increased danger to others. A slight turn of the throttle can create an emergency situation; nervous tension will only aggravate the situation.
But what if driving on the road is a necessary measure when you need to drive a short distance to a forest, field or sports track?
Consider all your options; you may be able to use a trailer or other vehicle for transportation. If there are none, and this is unavoidable, try to find alternative routes off public roads. The main thing is that your route minimally interferes with pedestrians.
If there is no alternative, you must understand that you take full responsibility upon yourself. Plan your route in advance so that the distance along the road is minimal, preferably on the least busy sections of the road.
First of all, when driving on the roads, be as reasonable and predictable as possible. The lack of headlights, lanterns, stoplights, turn signals and a loud exhaust are already annoying to surrounding road users. And if you add to this inadequate maneuvers, overtaking and changing lanes, know that everyone around you will quietly hate you.
Owners of hard enduro motorcycles are at the least risk, despite the lack of a title. These motorcycles come from the factory with headlights and lights, unless they have been removed subsequently. The muffler was originally made for driving under additional traffic conditions and sounds moderately loud. Visually, such a motorcyclist looks like a decent road user and does not attract unnecessary attention to himself. Provided, of course, that the rider is fully equipped.
We are not racists, but...
Tricycles and quadricycles
In an attempt to find out what types of motorcycles do not require a license, many people pay attention to tricycles and quadricycles. But with them everything is not so simple. To drive a light quadricycle whose weight does not exceed 350 kg and whose speed does not exceed 50 km/h, a category M driver’s license is sufficient.
For higher power equipment and tricycles, subcategory B1 will be required. Only citizens at least 18 years old can receive it. At the same time, if the equipment is equipped with a motorcycle-type steering wheel, then drivers with open category A also have the right to drive.
Is cross-bike considered transport?
In clause 1.2 of the traffic rules there is a clear definition of a vehicle. It is considered any device designed to transport people, goods or equipment. At first glance, it may seem that cross bikes fit this definition, since they can be used by motorcyclists. However, you need to pay special attention to the word “intended.” Cross-country motorcycles are not created to transport people, or especially cargo, from point A to point B. Cross-bikes are sports equipment, their purpose is to use them on special sports tracks. The absence of the need for a title when buying and selling a motorcycle also confirms that it is not a vehicle.
Punishment for riding a motorcycle without a license
The desire to know which motorcycles do not require a license is easily understandable, since daily use of two-wheeled vehicles in urban environments is not always convenient. And not everyone is willing to spend several months in a driving school for the occasional fun weekend trip. But at the moment in Russia, as in most developed countries, obtaining a driver’s license to drive a motorcycle is necessary. Category A is almost universal and allows you to ride almost any iron horse.
But those who dare to drive onto the road without the appropriate license should be aware of the punishment. According to part one of Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code, the fine for such an offense is from 5 to 15 thousand rubles. In addition, the vehicle is towed to the parking lot. If the equipment belongs to another person, he can also be fined 30 thousand rubles.
Possession
There is also the question of whether a motorcycle license is needed if its owner does not plan to go on a public road. The answer has already been given above - of course, they are not needed. However, it is worth clarifying that without a valid license, a person can purchase vehicles, donate them, resell them, or perform other transactions related to them. But it will no longer be possible to register a motorcycle, use it as bank collateral, or travel abroad with such a vehicle. Although to perform most of these actions, it is enough to simply issue a power of attorney to a person who has the rights of the corresponding category.
It is only prohibited to drive until you obtain a driver's license. Driving on the road without a license may also lead to the impossibility of obtaining a license. Data about the offense committed is included in the unified electronic database of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. Before taking the exam at the MREO, all candidates are carefully checked for the absence of such incidents. If a person has previously been repeatedly prosecuted for driving a motorcycle without a license, he may be denied a license until the administrative and criminal penalties are lifted.
How to register motorcycle sports equipment
No way! PTS is issued by customs, and most sports equipment does not need to be cleared through customs.
If the user is not dockless, it becomes more difficult to take it away. This doesn’t seem to be a PTS, but there’s nothing to complain about.
How to make documents for sports equipment
Form for obtaining a sports motorcycle passport. It says: “a sports motorcycle intended for use off public roads.”
To meet with inspectors, you need to prepare two documents. The user has the first one (if the sports equipment is not stolen), but the second, and most important, must be ordered separately.
- Sales contract or certificate-invoice from the store.
- Sports motorcycle passport.
In the first paragraph there must be a mention that this is sports equipment, and not an ordinary bike.
The second one is often recommended to do yourself. But in Russia there are two options for obtaining official paper. Contact the MFR (Motorcycle Federation of Russia - mfr.ru) or NRMF (National Russian Motorcycle Federation - nrmf.ru). You can try to obtain a document at a local motorcycle club, but the police are more inclined to believe documents from Moscow organizations.
On the website of the national federation there is a procedure for registering sports equipment, but with the simultaneous registration of membership. The international one seems to give it out to everyone.
Motorcycle sports equipment: vehicle or not?
This is a key question, the answer to which determines whether a motorcycle can be used on public roads. So let's start with him.
And we're not just talking about motorcycles. The traffic rules have general concepts for two-wheeled vehicles, such as:
- motocross motorcycle – whether issued as a vehicle or sports equipment,
- pit bike,
- scooter (electric or with internal combustion engine),
- various types of ATVs and tricycles.
The fact is that the traffic legislation of 2021, in principle, does not regulate such a thing as “sports equipment”; it only knows the definition of “vehicle”. This, according to the traffic rules, is a device intended for transporting people on roads.
Depending on the engine size, according to Art. 25 Federal Law No. 196, a motocross motorcycle or a pit bike can be equated to either a moped (up to 50 cm3) or a motorcycle (more than 503). Thus, sports motorcycles can be equated to vehicles of category A, A1 or M, and a special right to drive them is granted. The Code of Administrative Offenses has a similar approach.
The logic of the law is that only a device that requires a driver’s license to control it can be recognized as a vehicle. But do you need a driver's license for a sports motorcycle?
Sports equipment or vehicle? Inspector's opinion
The type of motorcycle is indicated by the developers during the presentation, and experienced riders will be able to determine the type at first glance. However, the inspector is not required to remember all the models by heart.
Motorists can easily name the second phrase (after the introduction) that the policeman who stopped them says: “License and registration certificate.”
Rights and registration certificate
For the situation with sports equipment, this has a special meaning . The representative of the authorities is guided by the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, issued back in 2008, “On the procedure for registering vehicles.” According to him, the division between sports equipment and other vehicles is simple.
There is a PTS - a vehicle, but no - sports equipment.
Lack of rights
When stopping a motorcyclist without a license and a PTS at an additional traffic stop, the inspector has the right to apply Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (Driving by a driver without a license). It has 3 parts. Lack of rights can be interpreted in any way.
This means detention of the vehicle and a fine of 5 to 30 thousand rubles.
But there is a decision of the Supreme Court:
“Taking into account this circumstance, and also due to the fact that the current legislation does not provide for the obligation to obtain the right to operate devices intended exclusively for sports competitions, Z.’s actions in driving a motorcycle in the absence of the right to drive vehicles do not form the objective side of an administrative offense, provided for in Part 1 of Article 12.7 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences,” the Supreme Court said in its decision.
The case was dismissed and the fine was waived. But this decision will not allow us to evade responsibility in the case described below.
Lack of PTS
Without this document, it is impossible to register the bike, therefore, it is also impossible to obtain license plates, and obtaining a compulsory motor liability insurance policy is also impossible.
When meeting with the inspector, he can file a violation under Article 12.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses , Part 1 . (Driving an unregistered vehicle). The fine will be up to 800 rubles . But the article has a note. A repeat meeting will cost 5,000 rubles . But you will need to prove that you have a PTS, you just forgot it at home.
Most inspectors know and successfully identify “sports equipment” on the road. In this case, they have the right to send the motorcycle to a parking lot , from where it will be difficult to pick it up. Plus, paying for a tow truck will cost a lot of money.
Loophole
The photo shows the editor's homemade product. It has a number on the body. If you knock off the 72 cc marking on a moped, then it is quite possible to ride it on special road conditions as if it were a 50 cc one.
It should be remembered that there is a category up to 50 cubes. Some people resort to trickery and confuse the cubic capacity indication on the engine.
If you manage to prove that your bike is exactly like this, then it does not need a PTS or MTPL . In this case, it is enough to show only the purchase and sale agreement and category “M” in the new rights, or category “B” in the old ones (where there are no other subcategories). But the likelihood that it will work is negligible.
