No-license vehicles?

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!

bear1

I'm not sure about Ireland, but in Italy 14 year olds can have these strange car/scooter things which don't require a licence.
They can go max 50km/h and they don't need a licence.
You'd need to import one if you wanted it and even then I'd be sure the Government would make you take some form of test.
Have you thought about laser treatment?

CiniO

AFAIK in Ireland every motorised vehicle needs licence.

Plenty of countries in EU, where you can ride 50cc moped without a licence. But unfortunately not in Ireland.

visual

If your legally blind then I think you should avoid even cycling. Sorry for being blunt but the road is not a safe place at the best of times.

bear1

Excuse my ignorance, but what is legally blind?

Serephucus

Legally blind is basically where one's eyesight is bad enough that, legally speaking, they're classed as blind. Admittedly, I'm right on the border, but I still fall into the category.

@visual: I understand where you're coming from, but, with respect, you have no idea what my sight is like, and given what I'm posting about, I'd rather not be simply told "stay off the roads all together".

bear1

Serephucus wrote: »

Legally blind is basically where one's eyesight is bad enough that, legally speaking, they're classed as blind. Admittedly, I'm right on the border, but I still fall into the category.

@visual: I understand where you're coming from, but, with respect, you have no idea what my sight is like, and given what I'm posting about, I'd rather not be simply told "stay off the roads all together".

Ok thanks for the explanation. Would laser treatment be an answer?
it could push you into the allowed to drive bracket

Serephucus

Sadly not. Were I born today, apparently it's a relatively simple fix, but twenty-five years ago, not so much. I'm well outside the upper-limit for laser, and even then, I've heard far too many horror stories to go near it yet. At this point my best bet is stem cell something-or-other, or bionics.

bear1

Well that would depend on your financial situation.
Unfortunately I think a bike is your only bet

jayok

@OP, there are license exemptions I believe in Ireland, for example some of the Electric Asssisted Pedal Bikes, also the Mobility Chairs and Golf Carts - so they do exist. I just don't think these are the kind of things you're after.

For something that can drive on the legally on the public road, it must be licensed, I'm afraid.

aujopimur

Only electrically assisted not powered cycles are exempt from a driving licence.

the_syco

Serephucus wrote: »

I've looked at electrically assisted bikes, the best of which get around the 25 MPH mark, with a range of around 30 miles.

Seemingly, speed is very important in determining if they assist you or not. I'm thinking you may need a license for something that goes at 40KM/H, as the "electrically assisted pedal cycles" are generally a lot slower than that. Maybe look for one that you can switch the battery, so you could carry a spare or two?

As for the eyes, if you ever do need to have your cataracts taken out (eg; if they get cloudy", you can have lenses inserted to help with your sight.

bear1

aujopimur wrote: »

Only electrically assisted not powered cycles are exempt from a driving licence.

I think for them to be exempt it needs to be able to move under power generated from a human, i.e. if the motor runs out then it can still be pedaled.
If it can't then it needs to be licenced.

Serephucus

After a wander around RSA.ie, it seems an electrically assisted bike is the best I can do (which is fine). Thanks all for the help.