Obtaining a license to drive a motorcycle: age restrictions, category, training and passing exams

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Published: 12/31/2018

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According to Russian laws, any driver driving on the roads must have an appropriate license. And it doesn’t matter how many wheels your vehicle has - four or just two. Relatively recently, the requirements for motorcycle and scooter drivers were more flexible. Since 2013, the situation has changed radically and even a scooter driver is required to undergo training at a motorcycle school.

• Motorcycle license: is it possible to do without them?
• At what age can you drive a motorcycle?
• What categories of motorcycle rights are allocated in 2021? Rights for a motorcycle with a sidecar
• Moped and scooter licenses

Motorcycle license: is it possible to do without them?

The law is adamant. If you are not going to sit behind the wheel of a bicycle forever, but plan to at least occasionally get behind the wheel of at least a moped, a license is required. And this is not a whim of traffic police inspectors and motorcycle schools who want to “extract” more money from you.

A qualified driver who has undergone training clearly knows how to behave in a given traffic situation. While the “disenfranchised” driver only guesses about the correctness of his behavior on the road. And it’s good if such driving only ends with a fine and confiscation of the two-wheeled horse.

Don’t even hope that the weak engine of your scooter will be a mitigating circumstance when meeting with traffic police officers. No one has canceled age restrictions either.

But owners of motocross motorcycles can breathe easy. They do not face fines or confiscation of the vehicle for driving without a license. But as long as they remain on the territory of sports tracks.

The reason for the “indulgence” is simple: a motocross motorcycle belongs to the category of sports equipment. And as long as its owner races on dirt tracks, he does not break any rules.

What can you drive at 14 years old?

Boys are always drawn to technology. While they are little, they play with cars; when they grow up, they ride a bicycle or ride a scooter. In adolescence, you want something more serious. And if earlier in small towns or villages you could often meet a boy driving a motorcycle, then in our time everything is strict with this. We already said above that you can get a motorcycle license from at least 16 years of age. Therefore, at the age of 14 you can drive:

• cycling, including electric bicycles. A license for this type of transport is not yet required.
• rollerblades, scooters. These vehicles do not have a motor; they are driven by human motor skills.
• electrical engineering: hoverboards and electric scooters. These devices have a motor, but you don't need a license for them yet. Drivers of this transport are not treated like pedestrians, but are considered owners of an electric vehicle.

By the way, you can ride an enduro or motocross motorcycle. But it’s not at all easy to ride them without training. The pit bike deserves special attention; it is considered sports equipment, and you do not need a license for it. But you can drive it only on specially designated routes. Therefore, if a boy has a great desire to master a motorcycle, his parents can enroll him in a motorcycle section (enduro or motocross). By the age of 16, in this section, a novice biker will gain excellent riding experience and learn to understand many of the intricacies of motorcycle technology.

At what age can you drive a motorcycle?

This parameter is directly related to the type of two-wheeled vehicle that the driver plans to drive. There are motorcycles that you can drive no earlier than 18 years old. But there are categories of vehicles available for driving from the age of 16.

More on the topic: How to get a certificate from a drug treatment center?

You are allowed to start learning how to operate a motorcycle long before your 18th birthday. But be patient, you will be allowed to take the exams only when you reach this age.

What does category A1 mean on a driver's license in 2021?

Category A1 license gives you the opportunity to drive light motorcycles. The vehicle must meet the following characteristics:

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• the volume of the internal combustion engine does not exceed 125 cubic centimeters;
• the maximum power cannot be more than 11 kW.

The above rules are outlined in Article 25 of Federal Law No. 196 of December 10, 1995 “On Road Safety”.

What categories of motorcycle licenses are there in 2018?

The motor market is ready to offer a huge selection of motorcycles. How not to get confused in this diversity and understand which category is needed to control a particular two-wheeled horse? The classification decided everything.

Since motorcycles are different, it was decided to distinguish three categories: “M”, “A”, “A1”. Each of them makes it possible to control motorcycles with different weights and engine sizes.

If the future driver has already crossed the 18-year mark, it makes sense to study for category “A”. In this case, “M” and “A1” will be given to him as bonuses. The significant date is far away, but you really want to drive, choose “M” or “A1” - depending on your vehicle.

License for a motorcycle with a sidecar

Are you planning to buy a motorcycle with a sidecar? Hurry up to get your category “A” license. For your own safety, do not be lazy to take a couple of lessons on riding such a motorcycle.

This type of transport is fundamentally different from its two-wheeled counterpart. Because of the stroller on one side, it takes up much more space on the road. And this requires a special habit.

Moped and scooter licenses

The emergence of the “M” category has made life easier for owners of scooters and mopeds. Having reached 16 years of age, complete training at a motorcycle school and freely ride lightweight vehicles.

If the driver has been trained for category “A”, then “M” is entered automatically. What gives you the right to drive a light scooter.

Imposition of fines

In case of violation of transportation rules, the current legislation provides for the following penalties:

• the presence of mechanical or regulatory damage entails a fine of 500 rubles and subsequent seizure of the vehicle;
• transporting children and the driver without a helmet is punishable by a fine of 1,000 rubles;
• traveling in transport with a child without a driver’s license is subject to a fine of 2,500 rubles or deprivation of the right to drive within a specified period of time;
• driving a vehicle without a license involves paying a fine of 5,000 rubles, arrest for 15 days and deregistration of the vehicle;
• Transporting children who are not secured with seat belts is subject to a fine of 500–1000 rubles.

Children under the age of 12 must be secured with seat belts to prevent any unforeseen situations from occurring while the vehicle is moving.

Read what happens for driving without a license after deprivation.

And here is the link to the article “Fine for violating the rules for transporting passengers on a motorcycle and scooter.”

Driver requirements

• The future driver must be healthy; the appropriate certificate is obtained before the start of the training course. It would be a shame to take a course at a motorcycle school and find yourself unfit for health.

When undergoing a medical examination, warn the medical commission about your desire to open the “M” category. If you do not do this, the category will not appear in your rights. You will not be able to drive a moped.

• Reaching a certain age – each category has age parameters;
• Completion of training at a motorcycle school corresponding to the required category.

Obtaining rights: specifics

To obtain a motorcycle license, you do not have to take the traditional city exam for obtaining any other license. In the case of a motorcycle, traffic police inspectors are limited to checking theoretical knowledge of traffic rules. Testing of practical skills takes place in special training grounds and sites.

Until the newly minted motorcyclist passes the theoretical course, he will not be allowed to take practical tests. In case of failure, retaking the theory is allowed after 2 weeks.

Some schools refuse to enroll in motorcycle riding courses in the winter. This is due to the complexity of road conditions. It is difficult to teach an inexperienced driver all the subtleties of driving on slippery roads.

Documents of the future driver

Until the applicant submits a full package of documents, he simply will not be allowed to study.

• Copy of the passport.
• Certificate with a conclusion from the medical board.
• 2 photos 3x4.
• Statement.
• A document confirming the fact of successful training in a motorcycle school.
• Payment for payment of state duty.
• Consent from parents - if the future motorcyclist is under 18 years of age.

Procedure for obtaining a driver's license

This procedure also has its own course of events.

• Checking the authenticity of each piece of paper - rest assured, the chance with false documents will definitely not work here;
• The applicant for a license receives access to testing;
• The first stage of exams is theory;
• The second stage is practice at a special training ground;
• Obtaining a driver's license.

Passing exams: step by step

The exam is divided into two independent blocks: theoretical and practical. The first involves testing the theoretical framework and rules. The second is aimed at identifying practical skills and abilities.

The theoretical part is taken entirely computer-based. During the test for knowledge of traffic rules, the test taker answers 20 questions. Ideally, the number of errors is zero.

20 minutes of time are allotted for the test - one minute per question. If one mistake is made, another 5 minutes are added to the time. During these minutes you need to answer an additional 5 questions from the block where the mistake was made.

If you make mistakes on 2 questions, 10 minutes and 10 questions are added to the time. If you miss 3 questions, the examinee is sent to retake.

The practical side of the exam takes place in the fresh air - at the training ground. Here everything is like at school, for a mistake - a minus to the final mark. It is enough to score 4 penalty points to be considered for a retake.

Minus 1 point for:

• a warning signal not given by hand about planned braking;
• late braking before the stop line;
• low beam lights not turned on.

Minus 3 points for:

• stalled engine at the beginning of the exam;
• untimely switching from upshift to downshift, and vice versa;
• ignoring neutral gear when the motorcycle stops for a long time;
• untimely warning of turns.

Minus 5 points for:

• arrival and crossing of the stop line;
• touching the ground with your foot;
• hitting a barrier sign;
• ignoring the left turn signal;
• significant shortfall to the stop line.

Upon successful completion of all tests, the student moves to the “driver” category. Now all that remains is to obtain the long-awaited license of the appropriate category.

The validity period for a motorcycle license is the same as for a car license – 10 years.

Practical part of the exam

It is necessary that the motorcycle on which the candidate for a license will demonstrate driving skills to the instructor meets safety requirements. Otherwise, the vehicle will not be allowed to take the exam.

To adapt to the vehicle, the driver is allowed to drive around the site for 2 minutes before the exam, which is not counted in the overall assessment system.

The practical part for motorcyclist candidates consists of several exercises, the order of which is determined by the examiner.

After completing one exercise, the examinee, without turning off the engine, informs the instructor with the light of the headlight that he is ready to perform the next one.

If you fail to complete one exercise, you are given the opportunity to repeat it. If you fail again when repeating, it is considered that the exam has not been passed.

If for some reason the examinee refuses to take the exam before it begins, the examiner will allow him to take the exam on another day.

If you have not passed the theoretical part of the exam, then a retake can be scheduled no earlier than seven days later. The law does not limit the number of theory retakes, but the practical exam can only be taken three times a week, and then a retake can only be scheduled after 30 days.

Please remember that if you fail the practical exam within 6 months, you will have to take the theoretical exam again.

When can you do without special training?

You can get out of compulsory training at a motorcycle school. But if the future driver does not plan to drive a vehicle over 50 cubic meters. The existing rights with any category will suffice.

If the driver has not managed to acquire a driver’s license, then training at a motorcycle school will not be possible. You just need to decide on the resulting category.

Don’t like to overpay, but want to have the “M” category in your arsenal? Save, “open” category “A” and higher, and “M” will be provided to you as a bonus. You will not need to take any additional exams.

Giving and receiving are different concepts

You need to understand the difference between the terms “pass exams for driving license” and “obtain a driver’s license” - in Russian legislation these are not the same thing. Even excellent knowledge of the theory of traffic rules and good skills in driving a vehicle in different conditions do not guarantee the possibility of obtaining a license on the same day.

The time gap may be even greater between learning to drive and passing your license. For example, Russian laws do not regulate in any way the age at which a guy or girl can begin to study the theory of traffic rules. Psychologists and teachers believe that such information is best remembered at 7-8 years old. This means that elementary school students can buy a pocket book with the traffic rules of the Russian Federation and study, and then only follow the changes and make adjustments to their knowledge. However, you can start studying at a driving school much later.

Read more: why you can’t pass your license without attending a driving school.

How to get a motorcycle license if you have category “B”?

Open category “B” does not give its owner the right to drive a motorcycle over 50cc. You'll have to sit down at your desk again and go through the DD rules again. Only after successfully passing the oral part of the exam will the driver be allowed to take the practical test.

Some people will be outraged by this approach - why learn the rules, all this has been covered. It's not about the traffic rules themselves, but about the specifics of driving a motorcycle. Driving a car is very different from riding a two-wheeler.

However, if you feel strong enough, you don’t have to attend a motorcycle school. Practice your motorcycle riding skills on your own. But where is the guarantee that you are performing all the elements correctly?

Still, it’s worth playing it safe and taking a lesson or two from an experienced driver-instructor. He will clearly explain the requirements for the exams.

How to properly transport children in a car

All vehicles are equipped with safety devices, but they are designed for the physical characteristics of an adult. This explains the requirement to carry children in cars only using special devices, in other words, car seats or infant carriers.

Until 2021, this rule applied to preschoolers and adolescents up to 12 years old; today the minimum age limit has been reduced to 7 years. For the age category from 7 to 12 years old, new, expanded transportation requirements have been introduced. The main thing remains unchanged: transporting young children while holding them in your arms is prohibited.

The main thing that was added to the rules:

• requirement that physical indicators (weight, height) correspond to the selected safety seats;
• permission to transport children in the cabin of trucks;
• a ban on motorcycle travel for citizens under 12 years of age;
• The rear seat is not suitable for teenagers.

We will analyze all the new rules by age category so that every parent can find the information they need here.

Infants up to one year old

Infant passengers are transported in a special device called an infant carrier. They should be purchased according to the weight and height of the baby; they are available for babies of 10, 15 and even 20 kg. The age markings on them are 0 or 0+.

Inside the cradle, the baby is lying down - this position is as safe as possible, as there is absolutely no load on the baby’s fragile skeleton and neck. In this position, it is protected from strong side impacts and sudden braking.

To ensure maximum safety for an infant, he is placed along the seat, behind the car. It is not prohibited to transport a baby in the seat next to the driver, but the baby should be placed with his back to the windshield.

This is how babies are transported until they are 6 months old; when the child learns to sit, he can be placed in a child car seat. In it he is secured with seat belts. The restraint seat itself, according to the instructions, is secured in the car.

Price issue

Everything here is individual. There are several factors that significantly influence the final tuition amount.

• Region – studying in a large city will cost an order of magnitude more than in a small provincial town.
• Educational institution - the more regalia a school has, the more expensive the services of its teachers.
• Medical institution where the certificate was received.

The only “fixed” figure is the state fee for obtaining a license. It is the same for all regions and does not depend on the skill of teachers.