Can a motor tricycle use a motorway?

For a vehicle officially classified as a tricycle, Article 175(2)(b) excepts it from the specific restriction applying to other motor vehicles with an unladen mass up to 400 kg or gross mass up to 1,300 kg. Other Article 175 exclusions, licence rules, approval and signs still need checking.

Identify the vehicle before applying a threshold

Paragraph 2(b) concerns other passenger motor vehicles in the stated mass ranges, with at least 250 cc for combustion engines or 15 kW, and no more than one passenger besides the driver; the text expressly excepts tricycles from that specific exclusion. The official category still matters: everyday use of “tricycle” can describe different vehicles, while a motorcycle with sidecar is a separate L4e category under Article 116.

Article 175(2-bis) names motorcycles and sets their exception at 120 cc combustion or 6 kW electric, with an adult rider; do not automatically transfer that condition to a tricycle. Article 116 distinguishes tricycles: A1 covers those up to 15 kW and A those above 15 kW, subject to other requirements. Check the recorded category and technical data.

Check the route and any restrictions

Article 175 covers motorways and main extra-urban roads, as well as any other roads officially designated and signed. A ring-road name does not establish its class. Read entrance signs and check restrictions set by the road operator. Keep vehicle access separate from the licence needed to ride it.

For example, a vehicle registered as an L5e tricycle is outside the specific class barred by paragraph 2(b); that alone does not prove access if another Article 175 exclusion applies. An L4e sidecar outfit is assessed under the distinct paragraph 2(a), barred below 250 cc combustion. Check category, licence and signs. Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps review common rules, without a dedicated A-category course.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you practise exam quizzes and review mistakes on common traffic rules, without a dedicated A-category course.