Do auxiliary motorcycles require license plates?
3 Answers
Auxiliary motorcycles require license plates. Legal Basis: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, non-motorized vehicles that are required by law to be registered can only be driven on the road after being registered by the traffic management department of the public security organ. Displacement must not exceed 30cc: The displacement of gasoline-powered auxiliary bicycles must not exceed 30cc, and the maximum designed speed must not exceed 20km/h. Displacement exceeding 30cc but less than or equal to 50cc: These are classified as light motorcycles and require blue license plates. A driver's license of type F or higher (E and D) is needed. Displacement exceeding 50cc: These are classified as regular two-wheeled motorcycles and require yellow license plates. A driver's license of type E or higher (D) is needed.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I must say that licensing assisted motorcycles really depends on the specific situation. There are various types of power-assisted vehicles on the market today, such as small-displacement gasoline models or electric versions. In some cities, if the engine power is small, below 50cc, licensing isn't mandatory, and they're managed as non-motor vehicles. But for safety's sake, I think it's best to get them licensed—there are many benefits. In case of accidents or theft, the license plate can be a big help. The process is also simple: just bring your ID and purchase invoice to the vehicle management office for registration, costing about a hundred yuan. I've seen many news stories where young people riding unlicensed power-assisted vehicles often get fined or even have their vehicles confiscated for illegal riding, which hurts both their wallets and peace of mind. So personally, I recommend getting a license plate regardless of changing regulations—it's more secure and saves future trouble.
I work with all kinds of vehicles every day, and electric mopeds are quite interesting—the key is whether they're classified as motor vehicles or non-motor vehicles. Generally, low-powered electric mopeds without pedals mostly require registration, so check local traffic regulations. Take Beijing as an example: if the power exceeds 400W, it must be registered and licensed. The process isn’t complicated: first, go to the DMV to fill out forms and submit documents, then an inspector checks the vehicle, and it’s done in minutes. Skipping registration carries big risks—you could get fined for speeding or face issues with insurance claims. I’ve seen plenty of customers skip the paperwork for convenience, only to suffer big losses in accidents. That’s why I recommend getting the license plate when buying a new moped—it makes daily maintenance easier too.
