15 kW electric tricycle: which licence lets me ride it?

An electric tricycle approved at 15 kW can be ridden with A1 because the tricycle limit is “no more than 15 kW”. Above 15 kW, Article 116 requires category A and a minimum age of 21. The vehicle’s class must be shown in its documents.

The threshold includes exactly 15 kW

The MIT A1 page includes motor tricycles with power no greater than 15 kW. The Highway Code places more powerful tricycles in category A and sets a minimum riding age of 21. “No greater than” includes exactly 15 kW: a tricycle recorded at 15 kW is within the threshold, while one at 15.1 kW exceeds it. The distinction can be obscured by rounding or by different power figures in a sales sheet.

An electric motor has no engine displacement to compare. Identify the vehicle as a tricycle in its documents and check the power figure relevant to the licence under its approval and registered data. Do not use peak power if the documents show continuous rated power; the correct measure depends on the technical classification. If the documents do not show which value was approved or list conflicting figures, ask the Motorizzazione before riding.

For example, an electric tricycle approved with a relevant figure of 15 kW falls within the A1 tricycle limit; at 16 kW, the above-threshold rule applies, so category A and age 21 are required. Do not automatically apply A1 motorcycle limits of 125 cm³ and 11 kW to a tricycle: these are different vehicle categories and conditions.

Check category and power for the vehicle

Check the approval category, power value and any subtype in the registration document. Compare them with the certificate of conformity for the same vehicle and your licence. If you only have a brochure, request the CoC or registered vehicle document. For an import or modification, seek confirmation from the competent office. Names such as “electric tricycle” or “three-wheeled scooter” do not prove the legal category assigned to the vehicle.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you study common category rules through chapters, quizzes and error review. The vehicle’s official documents and applicable law determine which power figure counts; the app does not assess the vehicle.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale lets you review common theory through chapters, exam quizzes and error review.