in France and in Europe
Legislation
European leader in the "no licence" car market, AIXAM makes it a point of honour to comply with French and European legislation concerning the manufacture and official approval of light quadricycles, as well as driving regulations.
MANUFACTURE AND OFFICIAL APPROVAL
A majority member of the European association for the promotion of quadricycles, EQUAL (European Quadricycle League, http://www.afquad.com), AIXAM applies European directive 2002/24/EC - governing the manufacture and European approval of quadricycles (4-wheeled motor vehicles) - to the letter. This directive, which defines three fundamental criteria concerning speed, unladen weight and maximum power, applies to "QLEM" (light motorised quadricycles). and "QLOM" (heavy motorised quadricycles).
> Light quadricycles.
According to the legislation in force, a light motorised quadricycle must have a weight not exceeding 350 kg, a maximum speed of 45 kph and a maximum power of 4 kW (5.6 hp). Light quadricycles are assimilated with mopeds and may or not be driven without a licence, depending on the legislation applicable in the different European countries.
> Heavy motorised quadricycles.
These quadricycles have an unladen weight limited by the regulations to 400 kg for vehicles designed to carry passengers, or 550 kg for the transport of goods. The engine develops a maximum power of 15 Kw (about 20 hp). They are related to tricycles and motorcycles.
All vehicles designed and manufactured by the AIXAM group meet these criteria.
DRIVING AND LICENCE CONDITIONS
European legislation on driving and licence conditions is based on directive 91/439, which defines driving licence requirements for different categories of motor vehicles, from two-wheelers upwards.
This directive defines a licence B1 for heavy motorised quadricycles, but does not include any particular provision for light motorised quadricycles. Each European country is therefore free to allow - or not - driving without a licence.
In France, to drive a light quadricycle, legislation imposes a minimum age of 16:
- anyone born before 1st January 1988 can still drive one without a licence.
- those born after 1st January 1988 must hold a road safety certificate ("brevet de sécurité routière" - BSR) with the light quadricycle option, or a car or motorcycle licence. The BSR light quadricycle option includes a short theory test and practical training of three hours without a test.
For heavy quadricycles, driving is allowed from the age of 16 for drivers holding minimum A1, A4, AT, AL, B1 or the "licence de circulation" issued before 01/04/1958. By equivalence all category A, B, C and D licences are recognised.
