Moped Drivers Will Need Driver’s License in Georgia

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia plans to regulate mopeds according to which drivers of this vehicle will need a driver's license.

The information was released by the deputy Interior Minister, Nino Javakhadze.

According to the deputy minister, despite the fact that today mopeds are not active participants of the traffic movement, they are not involved in the legal framework of any regulation, which creates quite a lot of problems.

Javakhadze explained that although mopeds do not have large capacity motors, they still are the participants of the traffic and need to be registered.

“In fact, up to a certain amount of engine, a moped is not a mechanical motor vehicle. But, this legal space allows us to do some changes and regulate this field because some similar but larger engine motor vehicles move in the city at a high speed,” she explained.

Javakhadze also said that as at present moped drivers do not need a driver’s license, quite often underage persons are driving it, which is also a problem.

According to the deputy minister of internal affairs, mopeds usually move in a section of the road, which is not for them.

"This is another part that we want to regulate,” she added.

The moped is legally defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with an engine displacement of no more than 50 ccs (3.1 cu in) and a maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h (31 mph). Such vehicles require a license in some countries, like Australia, Austria, Ireland, the EU, and Canada.

Mopeds typically travel only a bit faster than bicycles on public roads and possess both a motorcycle engine and pedals for propulsion. Mopeds are distinguished from scooters in that latter tends to be more powerful and subject to more regulation.

Mopeds are often illegally tuned for higher speeds, powers or engine displacements than allowed. For this to be legal, in many countries, such vehicles should be re-registered as motorcycles, and their driver's license requirements, taxes, insurance costs, and minimum driver age would be higher. A tuned vehicle, not designed for higher speeds, is not as safe as a purpose-designed motorcycle.