To drive a vehicle, you must obtain a license. They are divided into several categories. Standard A, B, C and D are familiar to most car owners. However, in 2013 it was decided to introduce category M.
Category M on a driver's license gives the right to drive a moped and ATV. The limit is set by engine volume (less than 50 cubic meters). However, the innovation raised a number of questions. In particular, motorists do not understand when it is necessary to obtain such a certificate.
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Category M rights - what is it?
The list of categories of rights in force in the Russian Federation is enshrined in Article 25 of Federal Law No. 196 of December 10, 1995 “On Road Safety”. Previously, moped owners could drive without a license. However, the constant violation of traffic rules and numerous accidents that occurred due to the fault of persons who did not receive permission to drive demonstrated the need to tighten the legislation.
Budget motorcycles are inexpensive. The lack of requirement to obtain a driver's license has led to a large number of inexperienced people driving mopeds and scooters. By driving along the highway, vehicle owners endangered their lives and the safety of other road users.
Innovations have led to stricter control over traffic safety. As a result of adding category M to the driver's license, the lives and health of a large number of people were saved. Today, owners of even small mopeds must obtain a driver's license with category M. A representative of the State Traffic Inspectorate has the right to stop a citizen and check the license.
A category M license allows you to legally drive motor vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 50 cubic meters. However, if a person has a different category of certificate, he will not have to undergo separate training. In this situation, category M is considered open by default.
What vehicles can be driven with category M?
Having received a category M license, a person becomes a full-fledged participant in traffic. All norms of current legislation apply in its respect. However, there is no need to apply for compulsory motor liability insurance for category M vehicles. Article 4 of Federal Law No. 40 states that the obligation to insurance does not apply to vehicles to which the legislation on the admission of vehicles to participation in road traffic does not apply.
It follows from Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Road Traffic Safety” that if a car does not require registration, the rules on admission do not apply to it. Paragraph 1 of Order N399 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia states that it is not necessary to carry out the above procedure in relation to vehicles with an engine capacity of less than 50 cubic meters. It turns out that you do not need to purchase compulsory motor insurance.
Category M license in accordance with Article 25 of Federal Law N196 allows you to drive the following vehicles:
- light quadricycles;
- mopeds;
- scooters.
Engine volume should not exceed 50 cubic centimeters. If the indicator is higher, you will need to obtain a category A license.
If the vehicle owned by a citizen fits the above description, you will need to acquire a category M license to drive.
At what age can you learn theory?
There are no restrictions on the study of theory. Quite the contrary, learning the rules of the road at an early age is strongly encouraged.
So if you want to get a license in the future, start by studying the rules. Start even if you are only 7-8 years old. The rules will come in handy in any case, and competent behavior on the road will protect you from possible troubles.
If the question arises of how to learn the rules of the road, then there are no difficulties. You can buy a rule book at almost every bookstore or newsstand. The issue price is approximately 30 rubles. As an alternative, I suggest one from pddmaster.ru. It's completely free.
Traffic regulations 2022
You can also start studying the traffic rules exam papers 2021 and 2022. However, there is little point in rushing to buy tickets, because... Traffic police tasks are updated quite often, sometimes several times a year, and you can study them quite quickly. Literally in 3-4 days. So it will always be done in time.
Category M rights with category B
In accordance with Article 25 of Federal Law No. 196, a person who has received category B has the right to drive cars whose weight reaches 3.5 tons. In this case, there cannot be more than 8 passenger seats in the car. If a person has received the above category, he has the right to drive a scooter without additionally opening category M. This rule is reflected in paragraph 7 of Article 25 of Federal Law No. 196 of December 10, 1995.
Category M does not always automatically open if you have category B and higher. Individuals may have contraindications to driving vehicles of this type. In this case, during the medical examination, a corresponding mark is made.
The difference between category M and A
In addition to category M, you can get A and A1 rights. The difference between category M and A; A1 follows from the provisions of Articles 25-26 of Federal Law No. 196. The main difference is the engine size. The person will be required to obtain a driver's license of the following category:
- M. If you will be driving light quadricycles and mopeds whose engine capacity does not exceed 50 cubic meters. Persons over 16 years of age can obtain a license.
- A1. Provides access to control light motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc. Persons aged 16 years are allowed to drive.
- A. Applies to classic motorcycles. They can be equipped with a side stroller. Vehicles are available for driving after reaching 18 years of age.
The new category M driver's license has filled an empty niche that was previously not regulated in any way. The need to carry out the process arose due to technological progress and the improvement of modern motor vehicles. Now, when going out on the road, moped owners are required to comply with all required norms of current legislation.
Requirements for obtaining category M
The requirements that persons wishing to obtain category M licenses must meet are reflected in Article 26 of Federal Law No. 196 of December 10, 1995 “On Road Safety”. The regulatory legal act states that persons who have reached the age of sixteen and have received an appropriate medical certificate stating that there are no contraindications to driving motor vehicles are allowed to take the exams.
Additionally, you need to undergo vocational training. The program is available in driving schools. A person will be allowed to take exams in 1-2.5 months - this is how long training for category M lasts.
Possible fines
When riding a moped without a category M license, the violator will face a fine under Art. 12.7 of the Code of Traffic Violations. The fine ranges from 5 to 15 thousand rubles. If this is a repeated violation, the fine will increase to 30 thousand. In addition, the driver may be subject to correctional labor.
You need to be responsible when choosing an educational institution
Normative base
The need to obtain a license to drive a moped and scooter arose in the Russian Federation on November 5, 2013. On this day, amendments were made to Federal Law No. 196. It is recommended to pay special attention to the following articles:
- Article 25. Basic provisions regarding admission to driving vehicles.
- Article 26. Defines the basic conditions for obtaining rights.
- Article 28. Grounds for termination or suspension of the right to drive a car.
The new category was designated by the letter M. If a person does not comply with the order and drives a moped or scooter without a license, he will be held accountable. Punishment for driving without a driver's license is imposed in accordance with Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The person will have to pay a fine to the traffic police.
Cost of training for license category M
Tuition fees can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. The price includes theory and practice, as well as subsequent support at the traffic police. A person has the right to receive additional hours of training. Three main price categories:
- 7000-10000 rub. Allows the driver to receive only theoretical training. The duration of the course varies from 1 to 2 months. All additional services are paid separately.
- 16000-26000 rub. The student will be able to receive theoretical and practical training. Additional services are not included in the price. The duration of the course is 1.5-3 months.
- 24000-30000 rub. This is the price for extended training for category M. Practical and theoretical courses are provided. The school has its own exam. They help a person prepare for certification in the traffic police. They accompany you until you get your license. The need to pay state fees and a medical commission disappears.
Cost may vary depending on region. You can find out the exact price by contacting the educational institution directly.
How much will the training cost?
It is difficult for us to give exact numbers. Since each school sets its own prices, and they can vary greatly within different regions. And driving schools themselves, which separately teach category M, are actually not as common as we would like. So first you have to find out if there is such a thing in your home city/area.
The costs of state duty and medical examination should be taken into account separately!
On average, prices can range from 7 to 34 thousand rubles. It is worth noting that:
- The theoretical course will cost the least. It will cost around 7 to 12 thousand rubles
- Theory + practice, of course, will cost more. This is already from 13 to more than 20 thousand rubles
- Theory + practice + additional services. Some schools offer preparation for passing an exam, etc. But this can already cost 25-34 thousand rubles
In general, you should not choose driving schools that offer too high or low prices. As practice shows, neither one nor the other is of very good quality. It is better to choose the middle option, which is more reliable. It’s even better to collect as much information as possible about the driving school you are interested in in advance.
Required documents to obtain category M
Article 26 of the Road Safety Law states that only students who:
- have reached a certain age;
- completed vocational training;
- have no contraindications for health reasons.
All the above facts must be confirmed. Therefore, a person is obliged to provide documentation at the stage of admission to a driving school. Citizens who have reached the age of 16 can obtain a license to drive light motorcycles. To enroll in a driving school you will need:
- completed application;
- copy of TIN;
- copy of ID;
- medical certificate;
- photos.
If a minor wants to undergo training, he must provide permission from his parents. A copy of the ID must contain pages one and two, as well as a registration sheet. Color photographs are required. The corners in the image are not needed. It is recommended to take matte photographs. The application is completed manually. It is provided directly at the institution.
After completing the training, you will have to submit papers to pass the exam at the traffic police. You will need:
- a document confirming payment of the state duty;
- completed application;
- medical certificate;
- driving school certificate.
What documents will be required for admission to the exam?
To pass the driver's license exam and receive the appropriate certificate, the interested person will need to prepare the following papers:
- Application for a driver's license.
- A document that allows you to confirm the identity of the applicant (in general, this is a civil passport).
- A certificate obtained from a doctor (for this you will first need to undergo a medical examination).
- A document indicating that the citizen has completed a training course at a driving school.
- A driver's license to drive a vehicle of a different category - if available.
At what age you get a motorcycle license depends on its category. If a person who has attended a driving school is already 16 years old, but has not yet reached the age of majority, he may be issued a license to drive a vehicle of subcategory A1. But in this case, written consent from the parents or other legal representatives of the minor will be required to take the exam.
In accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, minors aged 16-18 years can be prematurely recognized as fully capable in the following cases:
- If they started working under an employment contract or engaged in entrepreneurial activity.
- Upon marriage.
At what age do minors who have been granted full legal capacity ahead of schedule receive a motorcycle license? There are no special provisions regarding this in the legislation. The legal age to drive a vehicle remains the same as in the general case. However, in such a situation, a minor can obtain a driver’s license for a category A1 vehicle, regardless of the consent of the legal representative.
Future motorcyclists must undergo a special medical examination and obtain doctor's opinions on the absence of contraindications
A medical certificate presented by the applicant must indicate that he has no contraindications to driving a motorcycle.
It is not necessary to obtain a medical certificate or a document confirming completion of a training course at a driving school in the territory served by the traffic police department. But a request will be sent to the institution that issued them, the purpose of which is to verify the authenticity of the submitted document. Then passing the exam and obtaining a driver's license is postponed to a later date. If within six months there is no response to the request, you will not receive a driver’s license for the same application.
It is not necessary to present a receipt confirming that you have paid the state duty. The relevant document can only be submitted at your own request. You will also need to attach your photographs. The exception is situations when automated production of driver’s licenses takes place in bodies included in the state technical supervision system.
An application for a driver's license can be submitted electronically. To do this, you should use the State Services portal. The remaining documents can later be transferred to the traffic police.
To obtain a license you will need a certificate of completion of a driving school.
How to get category M?
Having decided to obtain a category M license, a citizen must make sure that he meets the requirements. If the applicant satisfies them, you can proceed directly to the implementation of your plans. To do this you need:
- Select a driving school that offers the appropriate program and submit an application.
- Wait for enrollment in the course, pay for tuition and complete theoretical and practical classes.
- Pass the internal exam and provide the necessary documentation package to the traffic police. You will need to undergo a medical examination.
- A representative of the authorized body will set the day of the exam. It is necessary to visit the venue without delay and complete the assigned tasks. Usually the exam consists of theory and practice.
- Find out the final result. If it is positive, the citizen will be granted rights.
Theoretical exam in the traffic police
Applicants for category M licenses must pass a theoretical and practical exam. They are carried out only if there is a medical certificate confirming the presence of permission to operate a high-risk vehicle. During the theoretical exam at the traffic police the following is checked:
- knowledge of traffic rules;
- mastering the provisions relating to the admission of a vehicle to operation;
- understanding of possible liability for non-compliance with traffic rules;
- knowledge of first aid.
The theoretical exam is conducted in the form of testing. You have 20 minutes to answer. One ticket contains 20 questions. The examinee is given several answer options. He must choose the right one. When the specified period of time is completed, the exam ends. When the submission is completed, the result will be displayed on the computer screen. If the correct answers are given to at least 18 questions, the person is considered to have passed the exam.
Practical exam for category M
Then a practical exam is conducted at the traffic police to obtain category M. During it, the ability to move away, maneuver, and use rear-view mirrors is assessed. Other knowledge that a person must have to use a vehicle is also checked. The whole set of exercises consists of 3 parts. If a person has completed all of them, he is considered to have passed the exam. Persons who have not completed the exercises are sent to retake.
The test does not involve driving in the city. The test is taken after a person has completed training at a licensed driving school. Self-preparation is unacceptable. A category M driver's license is issued only after a person has successfully passed all tests.
How to choose the right driving school
The choice of educational institution must be taken seriously. Otherwise, the driver risks wasting his time and money. The ideal option would be an already verified driving school that has a license to issue a category M license.
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the following factors:
- Tuition price. It should not be very high, but you should also not pay attention to very low prices. Running a driving school is not cheap, so if they offer training at a reduced price, then the quality of training will obviously be just as low.
- What is the condition of the school's car park and transport area? All necessary types of vehicles must be available and in proper condition. The training site must be equipped with the necessary equipment for training.
- Documentation. The driving school must have a license to train drivers of category M, which has not yet expired. The curriculum must fully comply with the requirements of the traffic police.
What do category M licenses look like?
Information on the rights is contained on 2 sides. The front page contains information about the driver. On the back is a decoding of the category of the new type of certificate. Here are the types of vehicles that can be driven.
The upper part of the front side of the document contains the name of the document, as well as information about the territory of which entity it was provided. On the left side there is a photograph. It must be colored. The shooting is carried out without a headdress or glasses. The photo size is 3 by 4. If the driver has vision problems, photographs may be taken with glasses. However, they must not have tinted windows. Photography with a headdress is permissible if the person wears it for religious reasons.
There is a painting under the photo. It must match the details in the passport. On the right is your full name and date of birth. Information is entered in Russian. Dubbed in English. On the right side there is information about the institution that issued the certificate. Then the series and number are recorded. Additionally, the region of residence is reflected. Below are the categories assigned to the driver; category M is also indicated here.
A barcode is recorded on the back side on the left side of the document. It encodes information about the citizen. The rest of the space is taken up by a table with categories. Additionally, the validity period of the category is specified. It is permissible to enter additional information below the table. Usually, the citizen’s driving experience is recorded in this place.
Payment of state duty
To obtain a driver's license, the applicant must pay a state fee. As of June 2021, its size is 2,000 rubles. (clause 43.1, part 1, article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation). If you want to get a new type of certificate, you will have to pay 3,000 rubles. If the application is submitted through the State Services portal, obtaining a driver’s license will cost a little less. In this case, a coefficient of 0.7 is applied to the established amount of the state duty.
The previous section discussed what a citizen needs to show in order to obtain a motorcycle license. There is no receipt for payment of the state duty in the list given there. The traffic police officer checks the relevant information independently, making the necessary request through the interdepartmental interaction system.
Persons who, by law, have a tax exemption have the right to take advantage of it. To do this, you will need to additionally provide a document on the basis of which a driver’s license can be obtained on preferential terms.
Payment of the state fee must be made before filing an application with the traffic police. If it is sent through the State Services portal, the required amount must be paid before the applicant presents the originals of the attached papers.
Nuances
It is necessary to undergo a medical examination before a person goes to study at a driving school for category M. The doctor has the right to restrict the person in certain actions or refuse to issue a license due to medical indications. As a result, there is a risk of wasting money. The average cost of an examination is about 2,000-2,500 rubles.
When going out on the road, a person must follow the rules of riding a moped. They are reflected in the traffic rules of the Russian Federation. It is strictly forbidden to drive while intoxicated. Moped drivers are required to move on the right edge of the roadway or bicycle path. It is necessary to avoid trolleybuses and trams.
It is strictly forbidden to hold the steering wheel with one hand, cross the road at pedestrian crossings, transport children without special devices, and also take part in towing. Transporting large protruding objects is also prohibited.
Age table for obtaining a license
| Category | Driving school training | Exam | Obtaining a certificate |
| M - mopeds A1 - motorcycles up to 125 cm3 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| A - motorcycles | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| B - passenger cars C - trucks | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| D - buses | 20 (18 for military drivers) | 21 (19 for military drivers) | 21 (19 for military drivers) |
| Tm - trams Tb - trolleybuses | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| BE, CE, DE - vehicle combinations | after 1 year of experience | after 1 year of experience | after 1 year of experience |
