Vehicles that don't require licenses?

Serephucus

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place, so apologies to the mods in advance if it's not.

To cut a potentially long story short, I'm visually impaired (legally blind) so it's an automatic fail for me getting a driver's license. My sight is good enough that I can walk and cycle with no problems, and can generally get around fine.

My financial situation has improved slightly recently, and that got me thinking about easier ways to get around (at the moment it's walking or bussing). So my question is this:

What's the fastest powered vehicle I can get that doesn't require a license?


I've looked at electrically assisted bikes, the best of which get around the 25 MPH mark, with a range of around 30 miles. Segways do a bit better, but they're one giant grey area legally speaking. Anyone know of anything better?

Thanks in advance!

punisher5112

Serephucus wrote: »

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place, so apologies to the mods in advance if it's not.

To cut a potentially long story short, I'm visually impaired (legally blind) so it's an automatic fail for me getting a driver's license. My sight is good enough that I can walk and cycle with no problems, and can generally get around fine.

My financial situation has improved slightly recently, and that got me thinking about easier ways to get around (at the moment it's walking or bussing). So my question is this:

What's the fastest powered vehicle I can get that doesn't require a license?


I've looked at electrically assisted bikes, the best of which get around the 25 MPH mark, with a range of around 30 miles. Segways do a bit better, but they're one giant grey area legally speaking. Anyone know of anything better?

Thanks in advance!

45cc moped?

seems anything under 49cc is game unless thats changed.

Serephucus

Do you have a link to any documentation on that? I'm finding quite a few 49cc mopeds and the like online, but I'm not sure if the law is 45cc inclusive or not.

Mikros

Serephucus wrote: »

Do you have a link to any documentation on that? I'm finding quite a few 49cc mopeds and the like online, but I'm not sure if the law is 45cc inclusive or not.

The previous poster is misinformed. Any vehicle that can be propelled alone (i.e. is not a pedal assist type bike) with the exception of wheelchairs etc. is classified as a mechanically propelled vehicle under the Road Traffic Acts and would require a driving licence.

A moped is defined for the purpose of M driving licence category as a 2 wheel MPV with an engine capacity not exceeding 49cc and maximum speed of 45kph. But there is no exemption for a driving licence or any other Road Traffic Act requirements.

Serephucus

Yeah, had a poke around the RSA site and that seems to be the case. Pity. Looks like I'll probably pick up something like this then. Thanks all for the help.

Marhay70

What about a pedelec?

Serephucus

That's what I'm looking into currently. Found a place that has a showroom in Dublin. The only iffy bit is that they say Pedalecs (i.e. bikes that assist while pedalling) are fine - they don't require a license - but in ROI "twist and go" bikes (i.e. bikes with a "throttle" mode) do, as they're classed as light scooters.

If this is the case it would be a real shame, as most of the high-end offerings seem to offer both modes.

Carawaystick

A pushbike would be the fastest, ( have the highest peak speed) you could exceed 80 on a daycent hill