Today, motor scooters or scooters have become full participants in the transport life of Russia. However, not all owners of such cars can answer what documents a scooter driver needs when contacting the traffic police. Since 2013, riding scooters without documents has been prohibited. We will try to figure out whether all scooters require documents, what documents are drawn up upon purchase, and how to complete all the necessary paperwork to operate and own this vehicle legally.
Why do scooters now require a license?
Moped drivers can ride on the roadway, shoulder and bicycle lane. They are full participants in the road traffic. Unfortunately, many mopedists were not aware of their responsibility and did not even study the traffic rules before going out on public roads. This led to a large number of accidents, including those involving minors, since mopeds were often driven by teenagers.
To change this situation, in November 2013 the government made amendments to the Federal Law “On Road Safety”. From this moment on, auxiliaries became necessary even for driving mopeds with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm3. Now mopedists must undergo training at a driving school and pass an exam at the traffic police. The category of rights is designated by the symbol “M” and is issued to persons over 16 years of age.
Safety requirements in emergency situations:
1. If parts or assemblies of the vehicle fail, the Delivery Expert is obliged to move off the roadway (where permissible) and turn off the engine.
.2. In the event of a fuel fire, the delivery expert must take measures to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers, felt mats, tarpaulins, sand and other available means. If it is impossible to extinguish the fire independently, the forwarding driver must call the fire department in the prescribed manner and inform his supervisor.
3. In the event of a road traffic accident, the Delivery Specialist involved in it is obliged to:
- Immediately stop and do not move the vehicle.
- Turn on the hazard lights, wear a safety vest (if equipped), and display a warning triangle.
- Do not move or secure objects related to the accident (shards of glass, soil falling off tires, etc.).
- Call the immediate shift manager, in his absence, his replacement (deputy director of the restaurant (any category), shift manager (any category)) and the head of the transport department.
- Take measures to provide first aid to the victims, call an ambulance by calling 112 (toll-free, it is possible to make a call without a SIM card), and in emergency cases, send the victims by passing transport, while recording their details (full name, address, contact number phone). Upon arrival of the ambulance team, specify the substation number and the place of delivery of the victim.
- Report the incident to the traffic police by calling 112 (toll-free, you can make a call without a SIM card), write down the names and addresses of eyewitnesses.
- NECESSARILY!!! Take photographs of the accident site and the damage to all participants with general plans from all sides (location on the road in relation to traffic lanes, markings, signs, traffic lights and intersections) and close-ups.
- Find out and write down the names of all participants in the incident.
- Wait for the arrival of traffic police officers or emergency medical services.
Who doesn't need to open a category?
The peculiarity of the “M” category is that it is included in any other existing category and subcategory of driver’s licenses. In other words, if a citizen has a license “B” (for cars), “A” (for motorcycles) or any other category, then he automatically receives permission to drive mopeds.
But there is an exception when the driver cannot operate a scooter, although he has a license of a different category. It is due to medical restrictions: some drivers can drive cars, but cannot cope with two-wheeled vehicles.
Nuances
After the introduction of category M, inspectors are required to check the availability of rights to a scooter. If there is a suspicion that the engine size does not correspond to an open category, the vehicle can be checked against the database via the Vin number.
In practice, illegal imposition of punishment may occur. When the engine capacity is calculated incorrectly, or the inspector imposes a fine by making other errors, a person can challenge the ruling. The procedure is carried out in accordance with the norms of Article 30.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
What documents do mopedists need?
A scooter is recognized as a vehicle belonging to the “M” license category only if its engine capacity is no more than 50 cm3 and its maximum speed is 50 km/h. In other cases, this vehicle is legally considered a motorcycle or light motorcycle. The list of required documents depends on the type of vehicle you belong to.
If the scooter engine capacity is up to 50 cc
To drive mopeds with an engine capacity of less than 50 cm3, only a driver's license is required. Such vehicles are not registered with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, nor are they issued with an MTPL policy, so the license plate is the only document that State Traffic Inspectorate employees can require from the driver.
Experienced mopedists are also advised to have copies of 2 more documents with them: the first is confirmation of ownership (a receipt from the store or a sales contract), the second is any technical books from the manufacturer containing the characteristics of the moped. The law does not provide for the obligation to have these documents, but their presence will avoid some conflicts with traffic police inspectors.
A receipt or certificate of insurance is needed to prove ownership, since STS and compulsory motor liability insurance are not issued for a moped. However, if such a scooter is not wanted, then there should be no reason to check ownership. And if he is still wanted, the check will be carried out in court, and not on the road. That is, according to the law, the driver is not required to carry these documents with him. Unfortunately, even traffic police officers do not always act according to the law, so it will be easier to show a copy of the document than to start a showdown.
The situation is the same with technical books confirming engine size and maximum possible speed. There is not a single standard that would require a mopedist to confirm the technical characteristics of his moped. However, it will be easier to show the technical book to the inspector on the road than to receive fines for driving without license plates, STS and OSAGO, and then appeal them in court.
Important! It is better to keep the originals of these documents at home, and only take photocopies with you, which you won’t mind losing or damaging.
If the scooter engine capacity is over 50 cc
If the engine capacity is more than 50 cm3 or its power is more than 4 kW, then this vehicle is recognized not as a moped, but as a motorcycle. They require a license of a different category: “A1” for motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cm3 or “A”, suitable for motorcycles of any power. In addition, the scooter will have to be registered with the traffic police: undergo maintenance, receive a title, register, set license plates, issue an STS, buy an MTPL insurance policy.
Consequently, mopeds belonging to categories “A1” and “A” are subject to all the document requirements that are established for other vehicles. Their driver is required to carry with him not only his license, but also STS and OSAGO. But in addition to their responsibilities, such drivers also have rights: they can drive across the entire width of the roadway and can move along with cars.
Stop and Parking
Stopping and parking of vehicles is permitted on the right side of the road on the side of the road, and in its absence - on the roadway at its edge and in the cases established by paragraph 12.2 of the Rules - on the sidewalk.
12.2. It is allowed to park a vehicle in one row parallel to the edge of the roadway, with the exception of those places where the configuration (local widening of the roadway) allows for a different arrangement of vehicles. Two-wheeled vehicles without a side trailer may be parked in two rows.
Parking on the edge of the sidewalk bordering the roadway is permitted only for cars, motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles in places marked with sign 6.4 with one of the signs 8.4.7, 8.6.2, 8.6.3, 8.6.6 8.6.9.
How do you process documents for a moped?
If a moped, or rather a light motorcycle, needs to be registered with the traffic police, then the driver will have to go through several simple procedures. First, you need to collect all the required documents: passport, sales contract or check, PTS or customs declaration.
If the scooter was bought secondhand, then you need to find out from the previous owner whether it was registered. Without a title, a registered vehicle cannot be re-registered in your name. If the seller says that he has lost the title, then before the sale he should restore this document to the traffic police. Refusal to issue a PTS will be an alarming signal that the moped may be stolen. If a scooter is purchased in a showroom or from a person who has not yet registered the vehicle with the State Traffic Inspectorate, then you should ask not only for a receipt confirming the purchase, but also for a cargo customs declaration (CCD).
The remaining registration procedures do not differ from those carried out with cars. The buyer needs to take out a compulsory motor liability insurance policy, register with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, and pay the state registration fee. duties, come with the necessary documents for registration and provide the vehicle for inspection. After all the procedures, the new owner of the motorcycle will be given an STS and license plates.
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle?
The amount of state fees for vehicle registration is the same throughout Russia. The total cost can reach 10 thousand rubles, including payment for tow truck services.
An approximate list of basic costs:
- new license plates – 1,500 rubles;
- issuance of a registration certificate – 500 rubles;
- adding a new owner to the PTS – 350 rubles;
- issuance of a vehicle passport – 800 rubles.
When paying the state fee on the State Services portal, a 30% discount is provided. You will be able to save almost a thousand rubles: instead of 3,150 rubles, you will spend 2,205 rubles.
On the appointed day, the vehicle must be delivered to the traffic police department for inspection by an inspector. Transportation is carried out independently in a trailer or with the help of a tow truck. The cost of tow truck services depends on the region of residence and the distance to the destination.
Follow the instructions indicated in the electronic coupon on the State Services portal to hand over the bike to an inspector for inspection.
When inspecting a vehicle, the inspector will check:
- VIN number and PTS details. If there is a discrepancy, registration will be denied.
- Technical condition (turning lights and brake system).
If the condition of the motorcycle does not raise any questions, the inspector will issue a certificate and issue numbers. You can get behind the wheel of a motorcycle immediately after installing them.
Also read: Is it worth buying a Russian used car?
What to do if you don’t have any documents for your moped?
If the documents for the moped were lost, then, in fact, there is nothing wrong with that. Problems can only arise if the previous owner of the moped files a report of theft. If he still has the receipts, and the new owner does not have a purchase and sale agreement, then the legal process may drag on for a long time until the buyer proves that the transaction was completed. In other cases, documents for a moped are not required. However, it is worth storing them in any case, since it is unknown what innovations will be introduced into legislation in the future.
Do I need to register a scooter and in what cases?
From the above text it can be understood that only scooters that meet certain characteristics can be registered: an internal combustion engine from 50 to 150 cubic centimeters and a speed of over 50 km/h. In theory, this is no longer even a scooter, but a real motorcycle, which is conventionally called that.
But is it necessary to do this? If you plan to use a vehicle, then this is a must! Because driving such a scooter without documents is illegal and risks a fine if such a driver is stopped by a traffic police officer.
Is there a fine for not having a moped driver's license?
The punishment for not having a driver's license for moped drivers is no less severe than for motorists. For driving a scooter without a license, a fine ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 rubles. If a disenfranchised driver drives a scooter that is not his own, then the owner of the vehicle who handed over control to him may also be punished. For the owner, the fine is even higher - 30,000 rubles. These punishments are imposed on the basis of Art. 12.7 Code of Administrative Offences.
If the mopedist passed the exam at the traffic police and has a license, but did not take the certificate with him, then the punishment will be much milder: a warning or a fine of 500 rubles. (Article 12.3 of the Administrative Code).
In accordance with Art. 32.2 of the Administrative Code, you can get a 50% discount on any of these fines if you pay it within 20 days after issuance. Thus, penalties for driving without a license will amount to 2,500-12,500 rubles, for transferring control to such a person - 15,000 rubles, and for a forgotten license - 250 rubles.
Documents for driving a scooter
To ride a scooter you need to obtain:
- a medical certificate allowing you to drive a category A vehicle;
- category AM rights;
- insurance;
- register with the traffic police;
- pass state inspection.
To obtain a medical certificate to drive a motorcycle, you need to undergo a special medical examination at the clinic at your place of residence or at a driving school, if there is a driver’s medical commission there. To the commission, take with you your passport and medical card or an extract from it, a military ID if you are registered with the military. Women must also undergo an examination by a gynecologist.
You will receive an AM category license after passing the traffic rules exam at the State Traffic Inspectorate. If you have rights of any other category, then category AM rights will be issued almost automatically, if you do not take into account their registration.
If your scooter has the same technical characteristics as a motorcycle, then there will be no problems with insurance, but with vehicles that have lower characteristics, difficulties may arise, since insurance companies do not really like to deal with such cars.
