Everyday motoring
Moped or motorcycle: what is the difference for your licence?
Your licence depends on the approved class and technical limits: AM covers mopeds, while A1 requires three limits to be met together.
Under Italian rules, the licence depends on the vehicle’s approved class and technical limits. AM covers mopeds within the applicable parameters; A1 covers motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW and 0.1 kW/kg, with all three limits applying together.
The word “scooter” does not decide the class
People often use “scooter” for very different vehicles. For licensing, the class in the vehicle documents matters: a two-wheel moped falls under AM if it meets the 45 km/h maximum design speed and the displacement or power limits for its type of motor. A motorcycle instead requires the appropriate motorcycle category; being close to 125 cc is not enough for A1.
A1 covers motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 125 cc, maximum power of 11 kW and power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.1 kW/kg. These requirements apply together: exceeding even one takes the vehicle outside A1. A 125 cc motorcycle may therefore be unsuitable for A1 if its power or ratio is too high. Displacement is not the relevant measurement for an electric motor; check its approved figures and category instead.
Check before riding
Open the registration certificate or vehicle document and note the approved class, displacement where relevant, rated power and power-to-weight ratio where applicable. Compare every figure with the licence you hold. The AM speed limit refers to the vehicle’s design, not the speed you happen to reach on the road or a temporary mode. A label in an advertisement or the model name cannot replace type approval.
For example, two scooters that look alike may have different versions and power ratings: one may be an AM moped, while the other is an A1 motorcycle or a higher class. A restricted version also has to be assessed using its approved figures and a lawful configuration. If your licence does not cover the vehicle’s category, do not ride until the requirement is clear. A category B licence may carry specific national entitlements, but it does not change the vehicle’s technical classification.
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Frequently asked questions
Can every 125 cc motorcycle be ridden with A1?
No. Displacement, power and power-to-weight ratio must all be within the A1 limits. Check the approved data, not just the cubic capacity.
Is an electric scooter automatically an AM moped?
No. It needs approval in the correct class and must meet that class’s parameters. Check the vehicle document.