EU allows 16-year-olds to drive quadricycles

January 22, 2013: European Union legislation that came into force on the weekend of 19 January means that 16-year olds can now drive four-wheeled quadricycles in the UK. This will require changes to driving license category P, which covers 50cc mopeds, and will now have added vehicles with four wheels that weigh less than 350kg and a have a top speed of no more than 28mph/45kph.

That includes vehicles such as the Aixam Coupé and the Qpod, while Renault may bring its lower-powered Twizy (pictured above), with a lower top speed, to the UK. Sixteen-year olds will have to pass Compulsory Basic Training to drive a quadricycle, although no other qualifications are required.

A quadricycle which is a vehicle positioned between a car and a three-wheeler can be used as a private vehicle as well as commercially. In the latter category, it could be positioned as a taxi and in the Indian context be seen as a better substitute for a three-wheeler.

It has been reported that manufacturers of inexpensive entry-level cars are somewhat vary of a product like the quadricycle. The norms that are awaited will be closely watched with regard to aspects like crash tests, emissions and top-speeds. Once the norms come through, a vehicle like the quadricycle could change the driving dynamics in various parts of the country.

For instance, like a three-wheeler passenger vehicle, the quadricycle has no doors and the maximum speed is 70 kilometres per hour, as per European regulations. While the European market is small, the numbers will likely be huge in India.