Age restrictions for obtaining a motorcycle driving license from 2021

A category “A” license gives the driver the right to drive a motorcycle. They are one of the easiest to obtain. Motorcycles with a small engine capacity, as well as mopeds, are available for riding from the age of 16, but only with open categories M or A1.

You can drive powerful motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars from the age of 18. Training is easier for those who know the rules of the road or already have an open category B.

Category A training includes the same as category B – a car, the only difference is control exercises during practical driving training and the cost of training. Learning to ride a motorcycle is significantly cheaper and costs around 10-15 thousand rubles. Of course, not counting the fact that you will then have to go broke paying for the medical examination (about 2,000 rubles) and the state fee for obtaining a license (still 2,000 rubles).

How to learn to ride a motorcycle

Learning to ride a motorcycle takes place in several stages. The first stage is common to all categories of driver's license: studying the rules of the road.

You can learn traffic rules for subsequent passing of the traffic police exam either at a driving school or on your own - manuals containing the rules are updated annually in bookstores. This is important - you should not try to learn the rules from outdated textbooks.

The second stage is learning to drive a motorcycle. For many novice drivers, the motorcycle itself looks scary, because it is known that falls or collisions at high speed often cause disability or death.

Therefore, it is better to approach the exam with practical experience. It is clear that riding around the city on the two-wheeled “horse” at your disposal is not the best option, where learning to ride a motorcycle is fraught with either an accident or an administrative penalty from the traffic police.

Motorcycle driving is taught only at the race track. Of course, just like in a car, no one will sit next to you. The instructor will explain the maneuvers, and you will practice them yourself on a training vehicle under his supervision.

Also read: How to choose a driving school

The myth of being able to drive while accompanied by an adult

This is a fake that is being spread by not entirely reliable sources. The reason for this is perhaps the gullibility of young men and women in various types of Internet news.

Proofs are quite easy to find here - it will be surprising for many, but the issue of age and the ability to drive cars in 2021 is not regulated by traffic rules. This is stated in 2 other legal acts:

• all in the same Federal Law No. 196 On Road Traffic Safety, admission to the right to drive is indicated from 16, 17, 18 or 21 years old for various categories,
• Government Decree No. 1097 On admission to driving also stipulates age gradations for driving and learning driving.

And in none of these regulations you will find any relaxation in the form of driving without a license at the age of 16, accompanied by an adult with a driver’s license.

How long does driving school last?

The full course of study is divided into theory and practice. According to the law, it takes 2.5 months to fully prepare for the exam.

• You will have to spend at least 108 hours on theoretical classes. The traffic rules are the same for everyone. Therefore, I will explain to you, as well as to future motorists, the categories of road signs and how to read each of them correctly. They will also talk about the operation of traffic lights and the rules of first aid on the roads. By the way, the “Medicine” section is often explained by a real doctor working in emergency ambulances. Usually, no more than 4 hours are allocated for such classes. In addition, together with the teacher, you decide on the tickets that will appear in the exam. As you study, they will explain to you in detail what kind of ticket it is and how it is solved. That is, from you, in an amicable way, all that is required is presence and normal memory.
• You will conduct practical training at the race track. On average, 18 hours are allotted for driving. It all depends on the driving school where you will study. The instructor will teach you how to perform the following exercises: “Overall corridor”, “Overall semicircle”, “Acceleration - braking”. In other words, you will need to start in first gear at the starting gate. Then drive in a straight line, reach the control post, signal for a left turn by extending your left hand up, and, having passed the counter, lower your hand. Similarly, you will need to make a semicircle, switch speeds from low to high and stop at the finish line by giving a signal.

Also used are the exercises “Snake” (drive like a snake, going around the marking cones), “Rut board” (drive straight along the rut board), “Move at low speed” (everything is clear here) and “Overall eight” (first drive in a straight line in the overall corridor, then along the figure eight trajectory and return to the finish). The same tasks will be completed in the exam.

Be careful. Since the instructor does not sit next to you, but watches your movement while standing on the road, he sees very well any slightest errors.

Also read: Duration and cost of training in a driving school

At what age can you carry a child in the back seat?

In accordance with Article 22 of Government Decree No. 1090, which establishes the Traffic Rules, the following persons can carry passengers on a motorcycle or moped:

• having a driver's license of the appropriate category
• having driving experience of more than 2 years

It should be taken into account that the transportation of minor passengers is carried out according to special rules that ensure the maximum level of safety. Article 22 of the traffic rules states that it is prohibited to transport children under 12 years of age on the back seat of a motorcycle.

How to get a motorcycle license through a driving school

Experienced bikers recommend courses at a driving school that teaches category A driving licenses. Motorcycle driving is taught in the vast majority of driving schools, and exam exercises are not always immediately given even to those who have already dealt with such vehicles.

In total, the practical exam in the traffic police includes five exercises:

• maneuvering in confined spaces;
• braking and stopping when driving at various speeds, including emergency stop;
• parking a vehicle and leaving a parking space;
• stopping for safe boarding or disembarking of passengers;
• driving through a controlled intersection.

To successfully overcome the final exam in a driving school, each cadet undergoes both theoretical and practical classes. During the training, the future motorcyclist rides for 10 hours - five practical lessons of two hours each, and also studies theory for 16 hours. This is not very much, but motorcycle training is intensive, which allows you to pass a difficult exam.

Also read: Is it possible to get a license without attending a driving school?

Required driving age

Before proceeding with the establishment of age restrictions, it is necessary to determine which vehicle is a motorcycle and which category motorcycles of various types belong to.

In accordance with Article 1 of Government Decree No. 1090, which defines the Rules of the Road, a motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle with or without a side trailer (sidecar) with an engine capacity of more than 50 cm³ (in the case of an internal combustion engine) or capable of reaching a speed of more than 50 km/h (regardless of engine type).

Motorcycles also include scooters with similar performance parameters, tricycles and ATVs with a motorcycle seating position and a handlebar of the appropriate type, if:

• the weight of the vehicle excluding the weight of the batteries is 400 kg (550 kg for vehicles intended for transporting goods)
• effective power up to 15 kW

A moped is a mechanical vehicle that has two or three wheels, the design speed of which cannot be more than 50 km/h, and the engine, depending on the type, has the following power:

• up to 50 cm³ (internal combustion engine)
• 0.25 kW – 4 kW (electric motor)

Mopeds also include:

• ATVs that meet the declared characteristics
• scooters with similar performance parameters

In accordance with Article 25 of Federal Law No. 196:

1. Motorcycles belong to category A, and there is an additional subcategory of vehicles of this type - A1 - which defines light motorcycles with an internal combustion engine up to 125 cm³ and a power of up to 11 kW.
2. Mopeds and scooters belong to the M category.

Motorcycle

Age restrictions when driving a particular type of vehicle are established by Article 26 of the Federal Law on Traffic Safety (Federal Law No. 196).

Ordinary

Persons over 16 years of age are allowed to drive motorcycles belonging to category A1, and 18 years of age to drive a motorcycle of category A.

Sports

Riding a motocross motorcycle (pit bike) is also permissible from the age of 16 or 18, depending on the power.

With stroller

To operate a motorcycle with a sidecar, category A is required. Therefore, the minimum driver age is 18 years.

Moped

Mopeds belong to the M category, which allows you to drive this type of vehicle from the age of 16.

Scooter

If the scooter belongs to categories A1 or M, then in accordance with the traffic rules the driver’s age is 16 years or older. If a more powerful scooter (category A) is used, then you can get a license only when you reach 18 years of age.

Age for obtaining rights of other categories

To obtain a driver's license category C , which allows you to drive trucks, the age is the same as for category B (18 years). The Category C exam can be taken from the age of 17.

In addition, at the age of 18 you can obtain a license of subcategory B1 (tricycles and quadricycles), subcategory C1 (light trucks).

But licenses of category D and subcategory D1 , which allow you to drive cars with more than 8 passenger seats (buses), can only be obtained at 21 years of age . The same applies to the license allowing you to drive trams (Tm) and trolleybuses (Tb).

Note. for category D and D1 . It applies to drivers undergoing military service. Such drivers can take exams and obtain a license to drive buses starting at the age of 19 . At the same time, from the age of 19 you can only drive military equipment; civilian buses can only be driven from the age of 21.

To obtain a license of category E ) 12 months of experience driving vehicles of categories B, C or D. In this case, you do not need to provide the traffic police with additional documents confirming your experience. All you need is a driver's license, which has been in the required category for a year.

As for subcategories C1E and D1E, they require one year of experience driving either cars of subcategories C1 and D1, or cars of higher categories C and D.

Which category is needed?

Subcategory M1 is divided into the following groups:

This also includes a passenger car with an engine capacity of no more than 50 cubic cm, capable of carrying passengers of no more than 8 people and a permissible unladen weight of up to 3.5 tons.

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Such cars are marked on the driver's license as follows:

• category M;
• subcategory – M1;
• group – L7.

For an ordinary city

City motorcycles for legal driving require a license with an open category A. This equipment operates in maximum mode within 150 cubic meters, it can support 1 or 2 passengers with medium and low weight.

Some models are equipped with a tow bar - a stroller, and can carry 2 passengers.

If there is no such device, and the possibility of a trailer is not provided for by the design, then only 1 passenger is allowed to be carried. Children cannot be transported.

For cross-country, sports

A cross-country motorcycle is designed for riding on dirt roads. They can participate in competitions and cross-country races. The default assumption is that they are often used exclusively outside of city roads.

Therefore, a driver’s license is not needed to drive this type of car in Russia.

A sports license is not issued when it is used exclusively as part of competitions, at any presentations, city motorcycle shows and other events where it is not required to be in the flow of citywide transport.

Category "A" for both options is assigned when they are used in urban traffic.

Important! Without a license, riding such motorcycles on a city road (or on a highway outside populated areas) is prohibited!

For moped

To drive such a vehicle, you will need to acquire a driver's license with an open category M. Among such cars, there are often those that have engine capacities no higher than 50 cc.

If the power of 125 cubic meters is already developing, then it is necessary to open A1, not M. For mopeds whose motor power does not reach 50 cubic meters. see, no permissions needed.

What is the price

The price of training depends on the region where the service is provided. Let's look at a few examples in table form:

The price of training in different regions is excellent. However, the amount of the state fee for obtaining a license is the same for everyone and amounts to two thousand rubles . In addition, you will have to pay for a certificate of completion of a medical examination.

Punishment for violations of driving motor vehicles

What is the penalty for driving a motorcycle without a license? In accordance with Article 12.3 of the Administrative Code (CAO), the absence of documents on a motorcyclist, provided they are available in the database, is punishable by a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles.

If riding a motorcycle is carried out by a person who does not have an appropriate driver’s license, the fine will be increased to 5,000 - 15,000 rubles (Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code).

If a motorcycle is driven by a person deprived of such a right, then the punishment will be (Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code, Part 2):

• administrative fine of 30,000 rubles
• compulsory work for 100-200 hours
• administrative arrest for up to 15 days

Special punishment is provided for not wearing a helmet while driving. According to Article 12.6 of the Administrative Code, the punishment is a fine of 1,000 rubles.

Price

The cost of training for categories A and A1 depends on the region of Russia. The price of the issue in various cities is presented in the table:

Obtaining a license with categories A and A1 is necessary to drive motorcycles. To open categories you need to complete training and pass exams.

The cost of training varies depending on the region of Russia, and the fee for registration and issuance of a document in all regions is the same and amounts to 2,000 rubles

The main condition for completing training and obtaining a license is the conclusion of a medical commission, which must be completed at the first stage.

The list of documents for replacing a driver's license in 2021 is in the article: documents for replacing a driver's license in 2019.

Find out where to get a free medical examination for your driver's license on the page.

Find out about the online traffic police database of those deprived of a driver's license from the information.

Practice

The practical part of testing driving skills must be completed in two stages: in the courtyard and in the city. The inspector must evaluate the acquired skills and decide on the possibility of allowing the examinee to drive this type of vehicle:

1. Proof of ability to move in a straight line while shifting gears.
2. Demonstration of driving on a “rut road”: driving in a straight line at low speed, without lowering your feet from the footrest.
3. The ability to make a turn, turn at small radii, move in a “snake”, “figure of eight”, “overall semicircle”.
4. Skills in performing high-speed maneuvers. This type of practical task was introduced on October 14, 2017.

The practical part and, accordingly, the exam will not be counted by the inspector if, during the exam, the examinee:

• falls off the motorcycle;
• will not be able to complete one of the required practical tasks;
• when the engine is running, it will not be able to switch off the gear;
• the motorcycle will stall as soon as it starts moving.

But there is no need to be upset if such a situation occurs. You can retake the driving practice after one week at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (provided that it is accepted at a driving school). In this case, the applicant for category A1 will be asked to go through all the necessary (above) maneuvers again. If the second attempt is successful and all practical tasks are completed, the driving record will be accepted and the documents will be sent to obtain a license.

Statement

The basis for obtaining a driving license with the required category is the submitted application. All of the above documents are attached to it. The application form can be obtained from the State Traffic Inspectorate office or downloaded from its website.

The application shall indicate the following information:

• name of the State Traffic Inspectorate department;
• information about the applicant who wishes to become the owner of a driver’s license (full name, information about the place of registration of the recipient of the license, date of birth and place, series and passport number);
• The reason for filing an application is to obtain a license or the required category.

When receiving a certificate for the first time, you need to write in the appropriate line “in connection with the completion of training.” Fatal? If you need to replace your driver's license, you will need to indicate the reason why you need to replace it.

Next, the application must list all the documents attached to it, indicating their numbers, if any were assigned to them.

Video about obtaining rights

After entering all the necessary data into the form, you need to sign and date the application. To ensure that drivers fill out this document correctly, at the stands in the traffic police department you can see samples of any applications submitted to this structure, including for obtaining a license of any category.

From what age

Training for categories A and A1 is possible from the age of sixteen. You can only get a driver's license for category A at the age of eighteen, and for category A1 at the age of sixteen.

If a category is opened for the first time, the driver must undergo mandatory training and certification. Training is conducted in an institution that has a special license. The driver will be able to obtain a license only after successfully passing all exams.

Age for obtaining a driving license category B (passenger cars)

Let's take a step-by-step look at the stages of preparation related to driving a car.

1. You can take training at a driving school to drive a car whose maximum permitted weight does not exceed 3500 kilograms and the number of seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, does not exceed 8, from the age of 16 .

In this case, the car in which the training takes place must be specially equipped (additional pedals and a rear-view mirror for the instructor). Naturally, the instructor himself must have documents confirming his right to study.

2. You can take the driving test after reaching 17 years of age.

3. Regardless of the age at which the qualifying exam was taken, the age for obtaining a category B driving license in hand remains the same - 18 years .

4. You can drive a car independently from the age of 18 , or accompanied by an instructor from the age of 16 (during training).