What cc motorcycle cannot be licensed?
3 Answers
For motorcycle licensing, there is theoretically no displacement limit. Any domestically produced motorcycle with a certificate of conformity can be licensed. However, in practice, the maximum displacement allowed for motorcycles is 250cc. Below is an introduction to motorcycle displacement categories: Ultra-light displacement: Below 100cc, including 50, 70, 80, and 90cc. Light displacement: Small displacement 100-150cc, including 100, 110, 125, and 150cc. Medium-small displacement: 200-400cc, including 200, 250, 300, and 400cc. Large displacement: 500-900cc, including 500, 600, 750, and 900cc. Super-large displacement: Above 1000cc, including 1000, 1100, 1250, and 1300cc.
I remember when I first started riding motorcycles, I was particularly drawn to those with large displacements. Later, I realized that engines with too high a displacement could indeed affect registration. For example, in major cities like Guangzhou and Beijing, motorcycles above 250cc are often not allowed to be registered directly because their emission standards don't meet the new national requirements, and they might also be restricted due to noise pollution. Once, a friend of mine bought a new 300cc bike and excitedly went to the vehicle management office, only to be told that registration wasn't allowed in urban areas. He had to either return it or handle the registration in another region. Since then, I always remind people to check the specific regulations on the local traffic police website first or call the vehicle management office via a mobile app to confirm whether a model complies. Now, with the stricter China VI emission standards, even transferring the registration of a used motorcycle might be affected by displacement issues. Choosing models around 150cc generally avoids these problems.
Among the traffic policies I've followed, the main reason why motorcycles with certain displacements can't be licensed is due to regional differences. Many first-tier cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen set 250cc as the threshold, restricting licensing mainly to control vehicle safety and environmental issues, such as exceeding emission standards. However, in small towns or rural areas, even 500cc motorcycles might pass inspection easily. Last year, I heard that some areas tightened regulations due to air quality concerns, adding Euro V standards as a threshold, making it harder for large-displacement motorcycles to pass inspections. It's advisable to consult local regulations via the 12345 hotline before purchasing a motorcycle or directly check the compliance guidelines on the manufacturer's official website. Never rely solely on displacement; factors like the driver's license level, such as a Class D license only allowing small-displacement motorcycles, also play a role.
