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Due to constant changes in the legislation of the Russian Federation, most minor drivers have a question about whether they are required to have a driver’s license with them while driving a vehicle in 2021.
Since the fall of 2013, the conditions for drivers whose vehicles have low-power power plants have become much more serious. So, to drive a moped, you must have a category M license. Starting from 2014, the driver can undergo appropriate training at a driving school, and then receive a license to drive a scooter.
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.
Technical features of scooters
Why did the new law upset so many teenagers? Previously, in Russia, mopeds, scooters or ATVs with an internal combustion engine with a chamber volume of 50 cubic meters or less did not require a license and, in fact, they were equal to bicycles, but starting in November 2013, a new law was issued in accordance with with which it has become necessary to obtain a category M license to drive mopeds, that is, recently documents for a scooter have been required.
The traffic rules state that a moped is nothing more than a mechanical vehicle that has an internal combustion engine with a chamber volume of up to 50 cubic meters or an electric motor with a power of up to 4 kW, and the speed should be limited to 50 km/h.
In accordance with this, we can say that motorcycles, scooters, bicycles with engines, ATVs and other vehicles that meet these technical characteristics can be considered a moped. Anything that has a more powerful engine in its design belongs rather to the category of motorcycles. Then what documents are needed for a scooter to ride legally?
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.
Changes in traffic rules
On the roads within the city today you can find a plentiful flow of these small vehicles. Due to the fact that scooters began to increasingly attract underage drivers, and cases where young people on them openly interfered with the movement of other vehicles became more frequent, appropriate changes were introduced to the traffic rules. Thus, a new category of driver’s license has appeared - M. It gives the right to drive mopeds, light ATVs and, accordingly, scooters whose engine power is more than 0.26 kW or 50 cubic meters. For a clear understanding of this requirement, the traffic rules also contain a footnote explaining what is considered an engine. It is a mechanical device that converts fuel or electronic energy into mechanical energy. It is the motor that powers the vehicle itself.
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation and traffic rules, all vehicles with the following characteristics are included in the new category M:
- internal combustion engine with a volume of more than fifty cubic meters;
- an electric motor that develops power from 0.26 to 4 kW;
- Vehicles whose maximum speed does not exceed 60 km/h.
Even bicycles equipped with an engine can fall under this category, but, of course, only if the power of such a vehicle and other characteristics are close to those of a scooter.
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.
Are documents needed at all?
Until 2013, according to Russian laws, a license was not required to drive a vehicle whose engine has a cylinder capacity of less than 50 cm3. However, in 2013, changes were made to the traffic rules. According to the new rules, the driver of any vehicle (from a moped to a car) is required to obtain a license. But even today, not everyone (especially teenage drivers) knows what documents for a scooter look like.
To drive mopeds and scooters with an engine capacity of 50 cm3, a license of category “M” or any other driving category (for example, “B”, “C” or others) is sufficient. But vehicles with a large volume of “heart” must be officially registered and registered by filling out a vehicle passport (
). In addition, they require an A1 license.
Thus, first of all, you need to know the model of the scooter you own. The easiest way to find out the model and engine size is to look at the purchase and sale agreement issued by the dealership or title of the scooter.
You can find out more information about what documents are needed to register a motorcycle from this article.
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.
Where can I get a passport for a scooter?
PTS is a document required for registration and registration of a scooter, so it is very important to make sure that you receive this document upon purchase. Anyone wishing to purchase a scooter should know the list of documents that accompanies this purchase. It depends on where the scooter is purchased:
- When purchasing a scooter at a car dealership or store, a sales contract is drawn up. The Civil Code (in Chapter 9) describes the procedure for the transaction for the purchase of a vehicle. According to this code, the purchase of a scooter is accompanied by the drawing up of a sales contract. This agreement lists the brand of scooter, its characteristics and cost. Besides. The car dealership must issue a receipt and warranty card for the scooter. Upon purchase, a PTS is issued.
- When buying from hand, you cannot count on a complete set of documents. But it is better to draw up a purchase and sale agreement with the seller in order to have proof of your ownership of the vehicle. The previous owner must also transfer the scooter's title to the buyer. If the owner does not have the title, the buyer must be prepared for the difficulties of registering the scooter with the traffic police and know what to do to restore the documents. This is not an easy procedure, so it is worth re-evaluating the feasibility of such a purchase.
In the PTS you can find out the engine size of the scooter. If the engine capacity is more than 50 cm3, in order to drive it legally you will have to register it with the traffic police.
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.
How to pass exams to obtain a license for a scooter at the traffic police?
If you need documents for a scooter, you will have to go through some testing:
- Training in a driving school for a specific required category, the cost and duration of training depend directly on both the chosen category and the driving school itself, but it is worth noting that most often for category M training is shortened and takes no more than 2 weeks.
- In parallel with the training or immediately after it, you must undergo a medical examination and receive a special certificate, in accordance with which you are allowed to drive a vehicle.
- The driving school's internal exams are passed for admission to the main ones.
- The traffic police exam itself consists of two parts: theory on a computer and practice on the site and in the city. After successful completion, you can officially obtain your license.
But don’t be upset if you failed to pass the exam, because the retake will take place in exactly a week. And if you fail to pass the second time, then in another month. In any case, every driver can pass the exam and obtain documents for a scooter on their own.
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.
Responsibility for driving a scooter without documents
First of all, it is worth emphasizing that the driver of a scooter with an engine capacity of 50 cm3, when checked by a traffic police officer, only needs to present an “M” category license. Inspectors have no right to demand either a sales contract or other documents. But driving such a scooter without a license is an offence. Responsibility for it is a fine of 5 to 15 thousand. If the moped driver is under 14 years of age, the fine is imposed on the parents or guardians. The scooter is confiscated and taken to the impound lot. Only a person who has a driver's license can pick it up.
The rules equate a scooter with an engine capacity of more than 50 cm3 to a motorcycle, and therefore greater responsibility is placed on the driver. The fine for driving such a scooter without a license is also 5-15 thousand. Instead of a fine, administrative arrest for 15 days may be applied. In case of repeated violation, the fine can reach 30 thousand. The owner of a scooter who entrusts control to a person who does not have a driver’s license may also be punished.
You can learn more about how to obtain documents for a scooter with an engine capacity of over 50cc from this video:
Documents for a scooter with a volume of over 50 cubic meters
If the vehicle engine exceeds 50 cubic meters, this type of transport should be officially registered. The corresponding PTS will be issued for this vehicle. That is, you will have to perform all the same actions that car owners go through: register the scooter with the traffic police, undergo maintenance and register insurance for it.
For scooters over 50 cubic meters, you need to undergo training at a driving school, pass an exam and receive category A1 at the traffic police department. This category involves driving a vehicle with an engine capacity from 50 to 150 cubic meters, that is, in addition to a scooter and moped, the driver will also have access to many motorcycles. This category can be opened at the age of 16 years. But a license of the corresponding type will be issued to a citizen of the Russian Federation only upon reaching the age of majority; before that, a temporary permit will be issued.
What has changed: new traffic rules for scooterists and mopedists
The history of equalizing the legal status for owners of scooters, mopeds, and mokies in Russian realities is worthy of a separate article. We will only say that innovations in the Russian Traffic Rules were initiated by Russian legislators back in 2010. From 2010 to 2013, many copies were broken in the debate on this topic. And in November 2013, innovations in Russian traffic rules nevertheless became law. From that moment on, every owner of a low-power vehicle (quadricycle, moped, scooter, motorcycle) was required to obtain an official license to drive it. Naturally, it was also necessary to register vehicles with the state traffic police department. However, the theory turned out to be far from practice, because motorcycle owners were able to obtain licenses and state registration plates only after 12 months, in late autumn of next year.
In November 2014, new rules for obtaining driving licenses for mopedists and scooter riders came into effect. It cannot be said that the next day this category of Russian drivers rushed en masse to obtain driver’s licenses and state license plates. Therefore, over the following years, traffic police officers carried out many raids in almost all regions of the country to identify violators of the new edition of Russian traffic regulations. In the end, did such activity of law enforcement officers produce results? and today the vast majority of scooters and mopeds on Russian roads already have state license plates, and their owners have acquired rights. If we talk about the Russian outback, then the situation there is much less colorful. In remote settlements, drivers of scooters and mopeds continue to massively ignore the requirements of the Road Traffic Rules. This statement is especially relevant for Siberia, the Far East and the southern regions of the country.
Earlier, two-wheeler manufacturers tried to use one trick. They underestimated the engine volume of produced two-wheeled vehicles by 0.1 cubic cm, which made it possible not to obtain licenses and not to carry out state registration of scooters or mopeds that had an engine capacity of 49.9 cubic meters. cm.
Confusion with scooter driver's license
Federal legislation regarding traffic rules has introduced a new category for scooter drivers. According to this law, a driver who wishes to use this type of vehicle must obtain the appropriate category from the traffic police. But it is worth noting that the procedure for obtaining rights to category M is still at the development stage and leaves a number of questions open. Every year, changes are made to the traffic rules concerning this type of vehicle, and then again next year, clauses related to scooters are modified or completely removed.
According to the traffic rules (clause 1.2), a scooter is not a mechanical vehicle. Then it turns out that you can fearlessly drive this type of vehicle without a license. But even here there is a trick in the traffic rules. In the fines section it is noted that the fine for driving a 50 cc scooter without a license is 800 rubles.
