Do you need a license for a scooter in Russia in 2021: category, fines, lawyer’s recommendations

Scooters have become a very popular mode of transport for those who prefer riding to walking. Scooters became most widespread among teenagers, because previously they were the only motorized form of transport that did not require a license. And the cost of a scooter is not that high.

Unfortunately, the sad statistics of accidents involving scooters are growing every year. To reduce the number of accidents, amendments were made to the traffic rules, and licenses became necessary to drive small-capacity equipment.

What is an electric motorcycle according to traffic regulations in 2021?

So, the Road Traffic Regulations do not provide a clear definition of motorcycles with electric motors.
But they regulate different types of vehicles depending on engine power (including electric) and maximum speed. And to answer all of the above questions, you must first find out what an electric motorcycle is according to traffic regulations.

Is this a vehicle?

Yes. And here the Rules give a fairly general definition. A vehicle is a device that is designed to transport people and/or goods.

Moreover, an electric motorcycle is not just a vehicle, but a mechanical vehicle, since it is driven by an engine.

Moped?

Now let's move on to the categorization of this vehicle. As we mentioned above, traffic rules divide such categories depending on the engine power and the maximum technically developed speed.

And the first thing we will look at is mopeds. They have 2 criteria in our question:

  • its maximum speed is structurally no more than 50 km/h,
  • internal combustion engine volume – 3not more than 50 cm3 (not inclusive),
  • or electric motor power from 250 to 4,000 W.

Thus, we find that an electric motorcycle can be classified as a moped if 2 main conditions are met:

  1. he cannot drive faster than 50 km/h,
  2. The power of its electric motor is no more than 4 kW.

Motorbike?

But your electric vehicle will become a full-fledged motorcycle when it goes beyond the above technical specifications:

  • if an electric motorcycle can go faster than 50 km/h,
  • if the power of its motor exceeds 4 kW.

Please note that if at least one of these conditions is met, then it is formally a motorcycle, not a moped.

Thus, according to traffic regulations in 2021, an electric motorcycle can be either a motorcycle or a moped, depending on its power and maximum speed.

Based on this, you should already find out where you can ride an electric motorcycle, what category of license is needed for it or whether a driver’s license is not required at all, and whether it needs to be registered with the traffic police.

Actually, let's look at these main questions!

Main purpose of the document

So, the basis for the introduction of a driver’s license was the difficult current situation associated with a high proportion of road accidents. Moreover, accidents occurred solely due to drivers driving mopeds and scooters.

It was to minimize such situations that specialized driving licenses were introduced.

Here are the main advantageous innovations that were automatically derived from the new legal provisions:

  1. The legislator has established a minimum age for drivers under 16 years of age. Previously, younger people were often seen driving mopeds.
  2. Mopeds and scooters have become full-fledged vehicles; accordingly, they are subject to standard registration with automatic assignment of a state number.
  3. Modern moped drivers receive the right to drive only if they have a special driver's license, which in turn is issued only after passing an exam.

Previously, mopeds, as means of transportation, were “impersonal”; they did not have numbers, and therefore they could not be identified in emergency situations.

This led to quite serious problems, and also to the fact that traffic violators, who often caused accidents, could simply escape from the traffic police with impunity.

Modern moped drivers have the right to drive vehicles on regular public roads . They meet all the important requirements that automatically apply to other road users.

Technical information on scooters and mopeds

In the rules, the concept of a scooter does not exist at all. But a moped is defined as a vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm3 and a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

These features make it possible to combine into one group a whole class of machines that differ in the following technical characteristics:

  • Lightweight frame.
  • Small wheel diameter.
  • Small engine volume.
  • No more than two passes.
  • Low fuel consumption.
  • Difficulties in moving long distances.

The concept of a scooter is understood as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that is not capable of reaching a speed of more than fifty kilometers per hour on the road.

Its engine capacity usually ranges from 50 to 230 cm3, and it can be gasoline or electric (power from 0.25 to 4 kW).

A distinctive feature is the seat, which has a design popularly called a “stool”. Mopeds and scooters belong to the “M” category, which in addition to this equipment also includes ATVs.

Mopeds and scooters are used most often within a populated area. This technique is also popular because of its low cost, and also because it allows you to avoid standing in traffic jams for several hours, thanks to its maneuverability.

Foreign driver's license when driving a moped (scooter)

Licenses issued in other states make it possible to drive transport on Russian territory. True, with many reservations. All of them can be found in the same Article 25 of Law No. 196 in paragraphs 12 to 17.

  • The first of them is that you cannot work as a driver. You can drive and carry for yourself, but not for others.

Note. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan and other countries in which Russian is one of the official languages ​​can.

  • Second. Foreigners and those without citizenship can drive in Russia with an international license, but only with them must they have a national one.
  • Third. If the country in which the license was issued does not participate together with Russia in international agreements on traffic safety, the owner of the license must present it with a notarized translation into Russian. But you can do without this if everything in it is written or duplicated in Cyrillic or Latin letters.
  • Fourth. The driver's age meets Russian requirements for admission to certain categories of vehicles.
  • Fifth. If the vehicle participates in international road traffic, i.e., travels from another country to Russia or from the Russian Federation abroad, passes through Russian territory in transit, all clarifications are canceled.

At what age can you drive a motorcycle?

The answer to the question of whether a license for a moped is needed is “yes”, because they are necessary to confirm knowledge of traffic rules, as well as the ability to drive a vehicle in heavy traffic.

The driver of such equipment is a full participant in the traffic and without skills and knowledge poses a danger not only to himself, but also to other people.

It is important to know! It is possible to obtain a license for a moped from the age of 16, despite the fact that the legislator has not determined the minimum age.

Issues a traffic police license after successful exams and receipt of a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications to driving. The main diseases that prevent you from driving a motorcycle are:

  • Any psychological abnormalities requiring treatment with psychotropic medications.
  • Reduced vision from 0.6 and below, blindness.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Absence of limbs or their different lengths, impairing coordination.
  • Violation of the vestibular apparatus.
  • Having undergone serious operations that impair consciousness, coordination, perception of the surrounding space, etc.

In other cases, you can obtain a license for a scooter in the general manner. This is an important document that must be provided with the general package of papers. Usually, without it, a person is not even allowed to take the exam.

How is the training going?

As noted above, persons who do not have serious health problems may be allowed to study for a license.

If your eyesight is poor, then the readings should not be more than minus/plus eight diopters . Otherwise, the seeker is not allowed to study. Serious astigmatism is also unacceptable, that is, the difference between the right and left eyes is more than three diopters.

People who are registered at a drug treatment or psychological dispensary also cannot be allowed to study.

To confirm these rules, courses will require you to provide an appropriate medical certificate. A passport and military ID are also provided if available.

You will first need to take three matte photographs, measuring 3 by 4 cm. They will be required for a medical certificate. For the ID itself, the photo will be taken at the traffic police department.

Training is carried out according to officially approved programs:

  • theory 72 hour;
  • practice 30 hours;
  • from practice, about 18 hours will be devoted to driving.

As a theory, the future driver will study such issues as the rules of the road themselves, the design and maintenance of equipment, the basics of providing medical care, as well as a little about the psychology of driving and pedestrians.

The theory is passed according to the usual scheme - those who have completed the training sit down at a PC and answer 20 questions on all main categories of knowledge.

Here are the most basic of them:

  1. Traffic rules - traffic lights, signs and intersections.
  2. Providing first aid - cardiac massage, calling an ambulance, rules for performing artificial respiration.
  3. Legislation – knowledge of the main articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses, possible fines.

Upon completion of the training, the person will be allowed to take the exam . In this case, you will not need to take city driving tests; it will be enough to simply perform a few maneuvers on a specialized track.

Particular attention is paid here to the snake, figure eight and driving along a broken path.

The learning process itself involves a standard and complete completion of the necessary material, but in a shorter time period.

The only exception will be a somewhat simplified exam process.

Training aimed at obtaining a driver's license to operate a moped lasts on average 2-3 weeks. This is relatively short; for example, training for category B will take 4 months.

The theory includes all the rules that are relevant for drivers of the described vehicles.

If everything is passed correctly, if no more than two errors are made in theory and when performing figures on the track, you will be issued a license valid for 10 years, in which category M will be marked.

If you are interested in the question of how much it costs to pass a moped license, you can note that the average cost of training is 15 thousand rubles.

What licenses are needed for an electric motorcycle?

Absolutely any. To drive an electric motorcycle or electric moped, an electric scooter, category M is enough, and it is issued automatically when passing for any other category.

If you want to get an M license, look for a driving school that teaches motorcyclists - exactly the same platform is used for scooters.

Please note that there is a penalty for riding a powerful electric motorcycle without a license: a fine of up to 15,000 rubles. In this case, your vehicle will be sent to an impound lot, from where it will not be picked up without a license.

And also keep in mind that in practice everything, as usual, is a little different. Firstly, traffic police inspectors simply ignore scooters - they are not interested in them. Secondly, it is difficult to determine engine power on the highway. So, if you move carefully and do not break the rules, the chance of getting your license checked tends to zero.

However, if it is possible to obtain the category M license required for an electric motorcycle, it is better to do so. You will feel calmer on the road and no problems with the traffic police will be guaranteed.

What awaits a scooterist for not having a license?

A driver who has a license for a scooter will be able to drive a vehicle that belongs to the “M” category. The absence of such rights implies liability in the form of:

  • A fine of 800 rubles. (if the license was left at home and this fact can be corrected within a short period of time, i.e., the license can be delivered to the place).
  • A fine of 5,000 rubles if the document is missing in principle
  • A fine of 15,000 rubles if there is no license for a scooter, and additional circumstances aggravating the offense will be identified.

In such situations, the inspector will be able to send the scooter to the impound area. The costs associated with the evacuation of the vehicle will fall on the shoulders of the driver - the offender.

Important:

The traffic police calculated that every sixth scooter rider was involved in an accident, and the consequences of this are often disastrous.

In a head-on collision between a car and a scooter, the driver is thrown forward, with the main impact falling on the head, and when hitting an obstacle, for example, a curb, the scooter driver most often falls on his back and injures his spine.

As a result, for drivers interested in the question of how to get a license for a scooter, we can draw the following conclusion. The scooter can only be driven by:

  1. Persons who have undergone medical examination
  2. Who is over 16 years old.
  3. Passed and successfully passed theoretical and practical tests.

If the speed of the scooter is no more than 50 kilometers per hour, then a license is obtained for a vehicle belonging to the “M” category.

If the driver has a license for other categories of vehicles, it is not necessary to obtain a license to ride a scooter.

Today, many young people are interested in the question of how to get a moped license and whether they are needed at all. If yes, then other questions arise, how much does it cost to pass the license, how long will you have to study, at what age can this be done, and others. Let's look at these points in more detail.

Do you need a license for an electric scooter in 2021?

Many owners of two-wheeled and three-axle vehicles with an electric motor are interested in whether they need a license to drive an electric scooter. Let's try to answer this question.


Do I need to have a license to drive an electric scooter?

Everyone has long been accustomed to gasoline scooters that have appeared on highways. Their operation was not regulated by legislation.

That is why small-capacity mopeds and scooters with a capacity of up to 50 cubic meters did not require a driver’s license to operate and, accordingly, were not of interest to road patrol inspectors.

Many drivers independently increased the power of scooters by installing engines with larger cubic capacity. Externally, it was difficult to distinguish a 50 cc moped from a similar device with a 150 cc engine.

In most cases, such vehicles were driven by persons without driver's licenses and were not checked by traffic police representatives.

In accordance with the requirements of legislation, drivers of scooters with an engine power above 50cc need to obtain a driver's license with category "A1".

Is it possible to drive a scooter with category “B”

If you have category “M”, the driver is allowed to ride light mopeds. But there is a small inaccuracy in the legislation of the Russian Federation that allows drivers of any category to use such mopeds.

Part 7 of Article 25 states that any driver’s document indicates the right to drive a scooter up to 50 cc/cm. If the vehicle owner has a certificate of categories “A”, “A1”, “B”, “B1”, “C”, “D”, “E”, then he can officially use his equipment. Let us remind you that this only applies to light mopeds. To drive a moped with 50 cc or more, you need a category “A” or “A1” license.

There are exceptions to the rules in which you cannot use a light moped even with a driver's license. The “ML” label in the document means that the owner of the license has medical contraindications to the use of any “M” category transport.

Procedure for obtaining rights

To get a license, you need to attend a driving school and pass an exam. The training consists of standard stages: a theoretical part (about 100 hours), more than 18 hours of practice and passing a test.

After completing the training, a driver's license is issued at the local traffic police departments. To do this, you will have to pass a theoretical and practical exam.

If all tests are successfully completed, all that remains is to provide a package of documents:

  • original passport;
  • application for a driver's license;
  • certificates of passing a medical examination;
  • certificates of completion of theoretical and practical training courses at a driving school;
  • receipt of payment of state duty (by 2021 this amount is 2000 rubles).

M rights are issued for a period of up to 10 years to persons over 16 years of age.

There are still few special driving schools in Russia that train category M drivers.

Therefore, it is more advisable to go to study for category A for motorcyclists or B. However, according to the law, these categories are allowed to be obtained upon reaching adulthood.

Who can be issued rights?

A driver's license, on the basis of which you can drive a scooter, is issued to citizens who have reached 16 years of age.

The following categories of drivers can apply for a license:

  1. Citizens of the Russian Federation.
  2. Persons who temporarily reside in Russia.

All categories of citizens, without exception, are able to obtain a driver’s license at the place of application. You can receive the document after successfully passing the qualifying exams.

To gain access to the exams, you will first need to provide a medical certificate obtained on the basis of a completed medical examination. This is an important point, since licenses will not be issued if there are certain contraindications.

One of the main features of this category of driver’s license is the fact that if you already have rights of other categories, you will not need to obtain a moped license as a separate document.

In other words, if a person is already a legal driver of a truck or car, he can safely change to a moped.

On this basis, we can conclude that it will be much more profitable for a future driver who is already 18 years old to undergo training for a category B license and ride his moped with it.

This will not constitute an offense, that is, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to drive a moped with a category B license is positive.

Separate training for category M is required only if the future driver is under 18 years old, but has already turned 16, that is, the answer to the question of what license is needed depends on the age and experience of the driver.

What are the dangers of driving without a license?

A traffic police officer has the right to stop the owner of a scooter on any part of the route and ask for documents. Penalties vary depending on the violation:

  • If the driving license has been issued, but you do not have it with you, then limit yourself to a fine of 500 rubles.
  • Riding a scooter without a license is punishable by a fine of up to 15,000 rubles. In this case, the electric transport itself will be sent to a parking lot. You can return it only upon presentation of your ID.
  • If you have your license with you, but its category does not correspond to the capacity of the vehicle, you will still have to pay a fine, as for driving without a license. We recommend that you always have with you the technical passport of the scooter, which indicates its exact characteristics. This will help you communicate with the inspector if there is any dissatisfaction on his part.

You cannot ride an electric scooter on sidewalks, lawns, bike paths or other pedestrian areas. This administrative violation is also subject to a fine of 2 thousand rubles, despite the presence of a driving license.

When going into the city on an electric scooter, the first thing to do is check whether you have your driver's license with you. On the roads in general traffic, be sure to follow traffic rules. This way you will prevent showdowns with inspectors and protect yourself from emergency situations.

Time and cost of training

Many driving schools have included practical training in driving mopeds and scooters. Each educational institution sets its own individual tuition fees. The average cost of training is:

  • 7,000 - 12,000 rubles theory. It includes sixteen classes spread over two months.
  • 16,000 - 26,000 rubles theory with practice. There are 16 hours of theory and up to 18 hours of practical driving. The average duration is two and a half months. To the indicated cost you need to add the price of fuel and oils. The beginning of practical training takes place in a closed area. When the skills become clearer, the driver can be released into the city.
  • 20,000 - 34,000 all inclusive system. Here the price includes the entire package of services, including payment of fees and medical commission. The maximum training period is two and a half months.

If a student has his own vehicle and equipment, he can significantly save on training and passing exams. Driving schools with weekend training can be much more expensive.

Do I need to register an electric scooter with the traffic police?

When purchasing a powerful portable electric vehicle, prepare to not only enjoy the power and maneuverability of the equipment, but also be responsible on the road, as well as comply with all rules and regulations.

One of the key points that needs to be addressed is the registration of the electric scooter.

For registration, you will need papers that can confirm the legality of your purchase of the vehicle, as well as an identification document of the owner.

In regional MREOs, the essence of the registration procedure is explained to new riders in detail. The set of documents for obtaining a license to drive an electric scooter is similar to the set that is collected when registering a new car.

You can get your license when you reach 16 years of age. To avoid problems and financial losses, take care of obtaining your license in advance if you plan to buy an electric scooter.

Driver health requirements

To obtain a license, regardless of its category, it is necessary to pass a medical commission.

It is she who gives a conclusion about whether a given person is capable of driving a vehicle intelligently and not endangering himself and others.

Art. 23 of the Law “On Road Safety” clearly defines situations when a driver is required to undergo a medical examination in order to be allowed to drive vehicles.

This applies to any driver category, since a vehicle is a source of increased danger.

So, a medical examination is carried out in the following cases:

  • initial receipt of a driver's license of any category;
  • when replacing the VA after its expiration date, that is, once every 10 years;
  • upon restoration after deprivation of driving rights.

It is also necessary to undergo a medical examination after a number of illnesses or injuries. The list of diseases is approved by regulation.

The law also clearly states that the cost of a medical examination falls on the shoulders of drivers or driver candidates. That is, the motorist, or in this case the moped driver, must pay for all the necessary examinations himself.

To obtain a medical certificate, you will need to undergo the following doctors to obtain a category M driver's license to drive mopeds and scooters:

  • therapist;
  • ophthalmologist;
  • neurologist;
  • otolaryngologist;
  • narcologist;
  • psychiatrist.

When passing through specialists, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the last two doctors must be visited in a specialized institution. Consumer rights? That is, in a drug treatment and psychiatric clinic.

In general, undergoing a medical examination for a person of average health is quite simple. But there are still a number of serious diseases, in the presence of which a person is not allowed to drive a vehicle.

You can’t drive a moped this way if:

  • a number of eye diseases associated with progressive deterioration of vision and limiting the movement of the eyeballs (glaucoma, strabismus, diplopia);
  • deafness;
  • a number of neurological diseases;
  • absence of upper or lower limbs or their deformation;
  • a number of chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The full list of diseases can be found in the Order No. 302n approved by the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia dated April 12, 2011, which approves the lists of dangerous factors for the identification of which medical examinations are carried out.

The law allows obtaining such a certificate both in a state medical institution and in a private clinic that has the appropriate license.

All specialists make notes on the bypass sheet, on the basis of which the therapist issues a certificate of admission.

Summing up

Perhaps this is all I wanted to tell you about electric scooters and electric scooters. And what you should remember more firmly is this:

  • For electric scooters, you need to get category “M” power supply, since their power is in the range of 350-5000 W.
  • An electric scooter will not need a power supply if its engine power does not exceed 250 kW. Mostly children's models are equipped with such motors.
  • 5000-15000 rub. – fine for driving an electric scooter without a license. Despite the fact that an inspector is unlikely to stop an electric scooter driver, there is also such a risk.
  • 7000-34000 rub. training for category “M” will cost;
  • 16 years old – from this age you can cover category “M”, which is convenient. You can only get a driver's license of category "A" or "B" if you turn 18.
  • Riding on sidewalks is almost always prohibited on almost any adult motorcycle-type vehicle, regardless of whether or not a license is required.

Sources

  • https://AutoTonkosti.ru/q/mozhno-li-ezdit-bez-prav-na-elektricheskom-motocikle-i-gde-nuzhno-li
  • https://pravodorog.ru/voditelskoe-udostoverenie/nuzhny-li-prava-na-skuter.html
  • https://Gevis.ru/nuzhny-li-prava-na-elektromotocikl/
  • https://AvPauto.ru/oformlenie/na-elektroskuter-nuzhny-prava.html
  • https://topkarting.ru/kak-poluchit-prava-kategorii-m-dlja-skutera-i-mopeda.html
  • https://AvtoIdei.ru/sovety/13526-nuzhny-li-prava-na-elektromotocikl.html
  • https://all-auto.org/20728-nuzhny-li-prava-na-elektroskuter-v-2020-godu.html
  • https://electrotransport.su/o-pravah-na-jelektroskuter/

Price and terms

On average, the price of training for category “M” is:

  • 24-34 thousand rubles for an entire course, which includes theoretical and practical training, passing exams, paying state fees, a medical commission, etc.;
  • 7-12 thousand only one theory of driving a moped (term from 30 to 60 days);
  • 16-25 thousand theory and driving course (without additional list of services). Such training lasts 1.5-2.5 months.

This information is provided strictly for informational purposes. You can find out the current price in your region when completing the training.

Three years ago new changes in legislation came into force. Now, owners of fifty cc mopeds and scooters can drive their vehicles only if they have a category “M” license. Some drivers can automatically enter this category into their license. Other citizens will first have to undergo training and pass exams.

Driver knowledge and skill requirements

Considering that vehicles falling under this category have every right to move on public roads, a number of skills are required from the driver.

The moped driver is obliged

  • know the rules of the road and follow them;
  • know the basics of legislation governing legal relations that arise while driving, including liability for violating the rules;
  • know and be able to competently use in practice the basics of moped control and be able to act firmly and confidently in any critical situation;
  • know the technical structure of the vehicle in order to sensibly assess the serviceability and technical condition;
  • have the skills to carry out minimal maintenance of your vehicles;
  • know and be able to apply in practice first aid measures to victims;
  • be able to avoid conflict situations that often arise on the road.

The driver candidate learns all this in special courses at a driving school, and confirms his skills by passing the driving license exam.

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