{{Short description|EU vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars}} {{About|the European motorized vehicle category|four-wheeled vehicles with pedals|Quadracycle|other uses|Quadricycle (disambiguation){{!}}Quadricycle}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Use British English|date=November 2022}} [[File:Renault Twizy P6180123 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Renault Twizy is available in configurations that meet both Light and Heavy Quadricycle specifications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/quadricycles-what-are-they|title=Quadricycles: What are they?|first1=Vivek|last1=Shah|publisher=CarExpert|date=26 June 2022|accessdate=5 July 2024}}</ref>]] The '''quadricycle''' is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, which allows these vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars. Quadricycles are defined by limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.

There are two categories of quadricycles: light quadricycles (L6e) and heavy quadricycles (L7e).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/files/cit-sum-com-542_en.pdf|title=Automotive - Enterprise and Industry|work=europa.eu|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-date=23 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223014127/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/files/cit-sum-com-542_en.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History== The quadricycle classification was officially created in 1992, when the European Union published Directive 92/61/EEC which decreed that quadricycles fell into the same category as mopeds. In 2002, Framework Directive 2002/24/EC then refined this definition by distinguishing between light and heavy quadricycles (L6e and L7e categories).<ref name="lex">{{cite web |title=Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 18 March 2002 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 92/61/EEC |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2002L0024:20050517:EN:PDF |access-date=2009-02-18 |publisher=Lex EUROPA Website}}</ref>

The framework for drivers licences of light quadricycles in the EU was released in 2006, with Directive 2006/126 (the third Driving Licence directive). This directive applies the same requirements for light quadricycles as for mopeds. This directive includes a recommendation to specify a minimum driving age of 16 years, although the age limit actually varies between 14 and 18 years between countries.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

==Categories== ===Light quadricycles (L6e)=== [[File:2020 Citroën Ami (rear).jpg|thumb|Citroën Ami, a popular light quadricycle, which sold over {{val|30000}} units<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/citroen-to-build-another-1000-ami-buggies-after-original-50-sold-in-18-minutes/|title=Citroën To Build Another 1,000 Ami Buggies After Original 50 Sold In 18 Minutes|first1=Chris|last1=Chilton|publisher=Carscoops|date=22 December 2022|accessdate=5 July 2024}}</ref>]] {{anchor|Light quadricycle}}Light quadricycles (L6e) are defined by Framework Directive 2002/24/EC as: "motor vehicles with four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than {{cvt|425|kg|lbs}},<ref name="europa.eu">[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:060:0052:0128:EN:PDF REGULATION (EU) No 168/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL] dated 15 January 2013</ref> not including the mass of the batteries in case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is not more than {{cvt|45|km/h|mph}}, and:{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} # whose engine cylinder capacity does not exceed {{cvt|50|cm3|in3}} for spark (positive) ignition engines, or # whose maximum net power output does not exceed {{cvt|6|kW|hp}} in the case of other (e.g. diesel fuelled) internal combustion engines, or # whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 6&nbsp;kW in the case of an electric motor.

{{anchor|Heavy quadricycle}}

===Heavy quadricycles (L7e)=== [[File:Mobilize,_Auto_2024,_Zurich_(PANA0748).jpg|thumb|Mobilize Duo, a vehicle available in L7e configuration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuster |first=Stijn |date=2024-11-13 |title=Nieuw Frans merk toont plots een van de goedkoopste elektrische auto's |url=https://www.autovisie.nl/nieuws/nieuw-frans-merk-toont-plots-een-van-de-goedkoopste-elektrische-autos/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Autovisie |language=nl-NL}}</ref>]] Quadricycles (L7e), also referred to as Heavy quadricycles, are defined by Framework Directive 2002/24/EC as motor vehicles with four wheels other than those referred to as light quadricycles, whose unladen mass is not more than {{cvt|450|kg|lbs}} for passenger vehicles or {{cvt|600|kg|lbs}} for vehicles intended for carrying goods not including the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum net engine power does not exceed {{cvt|15|kW|hp}} and a maximum design vehicle speed of {{cvt|90|km/h|mph}}.<ref name="europa.eu" />

== Country-specific legislation == === Finland === The age limit for light quadricycles is 15, while it is 18 years for cars in general. Mopeds have been traditionally popular in Finland among youth, and light quadricycles have been introduced into the same niche. Light quadricycles are locally called "moped cars". There is a licence category called AM-121, introduced in 2013, separately for quadricycles, although M-class (moped) licenses issued before 2013 qualify as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mopokorttitesti.info/|title=Mopokortti &#124; Mopokortti|website=www.mopokorttitesti.info}}</ref> Higher categories of licences (A1, A and B) automatically qualify for quadricycles, but age limits of A1, A and B are 16, 18 and 18, respectively.

Some have been concerned about the danger that quadricycles' low speed poses to other traffic.<ref>[http://www.turunsanomat.fi/kotimaa/?ts=1,3:1002:0:0,4:2:0:1:2006-06-10,104:2:384459,1:0:0:0:0:0: Turun sanomat 10.6.2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182909/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/kotimaa/?ts=1,3:1002:0:0,4:2:0:1:2006-06-10,104:2:384459,1:0:0:0:0:0: |date=30 September 2007 }} Liikenneturvan aluepäällikkö Antero Aho pelkää, että 45 kilometrin vauhdilla kulkevat mopoautot saattavat aiheuttaa vaaratilanteita tieliikenteessä. [...] Syyskuun lopussa mopoautoihin on tulossa pakolliseksi hitaasta ajoneuvosta varoittava merkki. (in Finnish)</ref> Over the past decade, Finland has been considering replacing quadricycles with cars with speed limiters; this topic became controversial in February 2017 after the {{ill|Sastamala quadricycle accident|fi|Sastamalan mopoautoturma}} in Sastamala, Pirkanmaa, Finland.<ref>[https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000005234401.html IS: Murheelliset kuvat Sastamalan kolaripaikalta – murskautunut mopoauto raahautui tietä pitkin] (in Finnish)</ref>

=== France === [[File:2018 Aixam Crossline Premium GT CVT 600cc Front.jpg|thumb|Aixam Crossline, an example of French {{lang|fr|voiture sans permis}}]]

In France, some small cars are commonly referred to as {{lang|fr|voiture sans permis}} ('vehicle without licence'), which now corresponds to light quadricycle (L6e). They can still be driven without a driving licence by drivers born before 1988.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |title=The little car you can drive without a licence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35210572 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=17 December 2018 |date=4 January 2016}}</ref>

Otherwise, they can be driven on a "road safety certificate" category of drivers licence, which is available to people 14 years or older.<ref name=wired>{{cite magazine |title=France Is Letting 14-Year-Olds Drive This Tiny Electric Car |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/03/france-letting-14-year-olds-drive-tiny-electric-car/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=25 March 2015|last1=Golson |first1=Jordan }}</ref> The quadricycle must be speed limited to {{convert|28|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} and have a petrol motor up to {{convert|50|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}} or be electric or diesel powered up to {{convert|4|kW|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006074228&idArticle=LEGIARTI000006841575&dateTexte=&categorieLien=cid |title=Code de la route - Article R311-1 | publisher= Government of France | date= 1 December 2018 | access-date= 10 March 2019| language=FR}} Paragraph 4</ref><ref name=wired />

Quadricycles are prohibited on the highway in France. <ref>https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000006842313</ref>

=== Italy === Light quadricylces can be driven from 14 years of age; Heavy quadricycles can be driven from 16 years of age and they require a driving licence A. Quadricycles are prohibited on the Highway in Italy. <ref>https://aci.gov.it/codice-della-strada/art-175/</ref>

=== United Kingdom === In the UK before October 2000, a person who passed a motorcycle test was automatically granted a full sub-category B1 licence,{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} allowing them to drive a lightweight car (an unladen weight of {{cvt|550|kg|lb|-1}} or less), a motor quadricycle or a motor tricycle. Since 2000 these small cars have been split in two different classifications, light and heavy quadricycles.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

A Light quadricycle, a micro car with less than {{cvt|6|kW|hp|0}} of power, and an unladen mass no more than {{cvt|425|kg|-1}} can be driven on a full bike licence. Anything more powerful or heavier requires a full car licence to be legally driven as a vehicle on UK roads.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

== Manufacturers == {{Unreferenced section|date=July 2025}} * Aixam * Austin Motor Company * Casalini * Chatenet * Evetta * Grecav * Italcar * Jonway * Ligier * Melex * Micro * Piaggio * Renault (Renault Twizy) * Stellantis (Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, and Fiat Topolino) * {{ill|Tazzari|de}} * UGR

== See also == * Car classification * Vehicle category * {{Annotated link|Neighborhood Electric Vehicle}} * Motorized quadcycle – Quadricycle without steering wheel

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

Quadricycle Category:European Union transport law * Quadricycle Category:Quadricycles