Can an F License Be Used to Ride a Scooter Motorcycle?
1 Answers
According to Appendix 1 of China's "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," which outlines the permitted vehicle types and corresponding codes, an F license allows the holder to operate fuel-powered scooter motorcycles with an engine displacement not exceeding 50ml or electric scooters with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50km/h. Otherwise, operation is not permitted. When driving a scooter motorcycle with an F license, it is necessary to check the motorcycle's displacement and speed. The F license is a light motorcycle driving license, with an application age range of 18-70 years. It only permits the operation of light motorcycles with an engine displacement below 50CC (50ml) and a maximum speed not exceeding 50km/h. Additionally, light motorcycles are not allowed to carry passengers. Motorcycles exceeding 50CC require an E or D license to operate. A light motorcycle is defined as any vehicle, regardless of its driving method, with a maximum design speed below 50km/h. If powered by an internal combustion engine, the displacement must not exceed 50ml. If electrically powered, the motor's rated output power must not exceed 4KW. Materials required for applying for an F license: four identical one-inch white-background color photos, a valid ID card or temporary ID card (non-local applicants must submit a residence permit valid for one year). When taking the F license test, after completing traffic law studies and driving skill training, motorcycle license applicants can take the written test (Subject 1), skills test (Subject 2), and road test (Subject 3) on the same day. To operate a light motorcycle, the driver must be at least 1.45 meters tall, have a visual acuity of at least 0.7 (corrected or uncorrected), no red-green color blindness, normal hearing, and no physical defects or diseases that hinder safe driving. After passing a medical examination and the traffic rules and driving skills tests administered by the public security authorities, a light motorcycle driving license will be issued. For licensed light motorcycles, a medical examination is required every two years, and those who fail are not allowed to continue driving. Depending on the motorcycle's displacement, different license types are required for scooter motorcycles, as follows: D (regular three-wheeled motorcycle): Permitted vehicles include three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement exceeding 50ml or a maximum design speed exceeding 50km/h. Other permitted vehicle types: E, F. E (regular two-wheeled motorcycle): Permitted vehicles include two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement exceeding 50ml or a maximum design speed exceeding 50km/h. According to Article 19 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Driving a motor vehicle requires a legally obtained motor vehicle driving license. Applicants must meet the driving license conditions set by the public security department under the State Council. After passing the tests, the traffic management department of the public security authorities will issue the corresponding category of motor vehicle driving license. Drivers must operate motor vehicles within the scope of their license and carry the license while driving. Therefore, it is clear that both driving without a license and driving a vehicle not covered by the license are illegal. According to the first provision of the reply from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council regarding the interpretation and application of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and its implementing regulations: Driving a vehicle not covered by the license is considered unlicensed driving in nature. In terms of penalties, based on the principle of proportionality, it can be treated as driving without a license but with a lighter penalty. Therefore, both unlicensed driving and driving a vehicle not covered by the license are subject to Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Driving without a motor vehicle driving license, driving with a revoked license, or driving during a license suspension period will result in fines imposed by the public traffic management department and may also include detention for up to 15 days.
