Legal definition
Four-wheeled moped: a vehicle with unladen mass up to 350 kg, excluding batteries on electric vehicles, a design speed up to 45 km/h and a spark-ignition engine up to 50 cc, or net power up to 4 kW for other combustion engines, or continuous rated power up to 4 kW for electric motors. This definition concerns four-wheeled mopeds, not all quadricycles.
RDL 6/2015, Annex I, point 9.c (translation)Definition
A quadricycle is a four-wheeled vehicle that can belong to the light or non-light category depending on its technical characteristics. Annex I of Spain’s Traffic Act includes certain four-wheeled vehicles in the moped definition; quads do not all have the same classification.
Light and non-light quadricycles compared
| Light quadricycle | Non-light quadricycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Unladen mass | Up to 350 kg, batteries excluded if electric | Up to 400 kg; up to 550 kg for goods |
| Engine | Up to 50 cc with spark ignition; other motors up to 4 kW | Maximum net power up to 15 kW |
| Top speed | 45 km/h by construction | 70 km/h |
| Licence | AM (a category B also covers it) | B |
Official sources
Key facts
- Four-wheeled moped: up to 350 kg unladen and 45 km/h by construction, with the engine limits in Annex I.
- The AM licence covers mopeds and light quadricycles, but not motor quadricycles.
- Non-light quadricycle: maximum limit of 70 km/h and a category B licence.
- Where seat belts are fitted, driver and passenger must use them on all roads.
- First ITV inspection four years after registration, then every two years.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a light quadricycle in Spain?
- Annex I includes a four-wheeled vehicle as a moped when it has up to 350 kg unladen mass excluding electric batteries and a design speed up to 45 km/h. The engine is up to 50 cc for spark ignition or up to 4 kW in other cases, under the power conditions of point 9.c.
- What licence do you need for a quadricycle?
- A light quadricycle needs an AM licence; a motor (non-light) quadricycle needs a category B, which the AM does not cover.
- How fast can a quadricycle go?
- The maximum limit for non-light quadricycles is 70 km/h on roads where they are allowed. Observe any lower applicable limit.
Practice real questions on this topic
Free DGT 2026 test with exam-style questions and explanations. No signup. Or explore the free DGT test in English hub for everything in one place.
In the DGT exam
- Outside a built-up area, when does the general rule allow a passenger to ride in a moped’s trailer?
- On a two-wheeled moped less than 1 metre wide, how far may the load extend sideways, measured from its longitudinal centreline?
- On a two-wheeled moped authorised to carry a passenger and tow a trailer, with the legal conditions met, where must the passenger sit?