Can you drive a goods quadricycle with a B1 licence?

Yes. B1 may cover L7e quadricycles intended to carry goods with unladen mass up to 550 kg and maximum net power of 15 kW. For other L7e vehicles, the mass limit is 400 kg. Check intended use, class and approved figures.

Mass depends on the vehicle’s intended use

For B1, the Italian Road Code sets an unladen-mass limit of 400 kg for non-light L7e quadricycles, increased to 550 kg for vehicles intended to carry goods. In both cases, maximum net motor power cannot exceed 15 kW. This is not the maximum authorised laden mass: the rule uses unladen mass as legally defined.

The goods-carrying purpose must be part of the vehicle’s approved configuration; a driver cannot relabel a vehicle to exceed the limit. For electric vehicles, the legal definition excludes battery mass from the stated calculation. That is why actual scale weight, goods carried and unladen mass are different figures. Do not substitute one for another.

What to check in the documents

Check the L7e class, intended use, unladen mass and maximum net power in the registration and approval documents. If the vehicle is registered for goods and falls within 550 kg and 15 kW, the special mass limit may apply. If it is intended for passengers or its classification is unclear, do not assume the higher limit is available.

For example, a documented L7e goods quadricycle with an unladen mass of 520 kg and power of 12 kW is within both stated limits, subject to checking its class and licence. A 560 kg vehicle exceeds the mass limit even if its power is low. For an electric model, use the approved definition; do not improvise by subtracting a battery weight from an unrelated figure.

Use Quiz Patente Ufficiale to review quadricycle categories and licence limits through theory quizzes.