Light (under-125cc) motorcycles in the EU

10.7.2015

Question for written answer E-011160-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mady Delvaux (S&D)

Since 19 January 2013, under Directive 2006/126/EC holders of category-B driving licences (for cars) have been entitled also to ride light (under-125cc) motorcycles, for which a category-A1 licence is otherwise required, provided that they have held their category-B licence for at least two years and have undergone at least seven hours' theoretical and practical training at a driving school.

However, they may do so only inside their own Member States because there is no provision for mutual recognition of this ‘category equivalence’ between Member States. A holder of a Luxembourgish category-B licence would therefore be required also to have a category-A licence (for motorcycles over 125cc) in order to ride an under-125cc motorcycle in another Member State. The same applies to the holder of a category-B licence issued by another Member State wishing to ride an under-125cc motorcycle in Luxembourg.

1. Would the Commission agree that the current rules do not afford genuine freedom of movement within the EU to riders of light motorcycles?

2. Will it look into the possibility of introducing EU-wide rules on mutual recognition of the above category equivalences between neighbouring Member States?