Up until five years ago...I don't think you ever saw one.
So....a microcar (also called Mopedauto, Leichtkraftfahrzeug, or 45-km/h-Auto) in Germany is a very small, light four-wheeled vehicle.
EU-wise....it's classified as an EU L6e light quadricycle. It does appear like a small enclosed car but is legally closer to a moped than a regular passenger car (Pkw). Max? Two people.
Max speed? 45 km/h. Max weight: 425 kg empty (batteries excluded on electrics)
Seats? Only one to two.
Power? Normally....4 to 6 kW, or 5 to 8 HP.
Drive: Gas, diesel, or electric versions exist
For the driver's license/age? You need a Führerschein Klasse AM (moped license), which has been available nationwide from age 15 since 2021. Holders of a regular Class B car license can also drive them with no extra requirements. Until age 16, the AM license is generally valid only inside Germany.
Registration, insurance, and taxes? Well...no full vehicle registration or regular TÜV (Hauptuntersuchung) is required. Mandatory liability insurance, shown by a yearly-renewed Versicherungskennzeichen (insurance plate, similar to mopeds).
No vehicle tax (yet).
Where you can drive? Normal streets, state roads. NOT ALLOWED on autobahns.
Around Wiesbaden? I imagine there's at least 300 of them....mostly all used by 15-to-18 year old 'kids'.
On my danger-index? Within the city....no threat. If you said for me to drive it on some 2-lane road...outside of the city....with mixed 100 km/h vehicle traffic? It's not that safe.
What they remind me of? Flintstone's cars.
2 comments:
That’s interesting. I remember BWM & Messerschmitt analogs from my early 70s tour. I thought they were faster and lighter. Frankly, a bit scary. I do hope that the kids stay off K roads and above.
Fitness Center I go to in town....has probably 10-percent of membership....German teens (age 15/16/17). Probably 8 to 10 of them....have the mini-vehicles. Perfect vehicle for urban-use. I'd never drive it outside of town though.
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