The Estonian Ministry of Economy is working on a draft law, which stipulates that all moped car drivers will have to obtain a driver’s license in the future, and the age criterion will be abolished, writes ERR News.
The popularity of moped cars in Estonia began to decline after the requirement to undergo a technical inspection came into effect. Currently, there are 2,600 registered moped cars on Estonian roads. Kaido Veensalu, head of Camex Kaubandus, an importer of new transport vehicles, stated that Estonians mostly want to buy cheap used moped cars. He explained that few choose new cars in Estonia, tending more to buy used cars, imported from other European countries, which have often been damaged in accidents and are therefore so cheap.
In order to drive a moped car in Estonia, the speed of which does not exceed 45 kilometers per hour, a person must be at least 14 years old and need to obtain an AM category (moped and scooter) driver’s license. According to Veensalu, the moped car is popular among young people. The car dealer said that, in Tallinn’s case, it is often a matter of “buying” the parents’ time.
When buying a moped for their youngsters, parents don’t have to drive them to school, training, and the like.
However, the moped car is also a popular choice for persons born before 1993, and they do not need a driver’s license to drive it, which, according to the Ministry of Economy, means that people who do not have knowledge of traffic rules are driving on the roads.
The Ministry is working on a bill that will abolish the age criterion, and a driver’s license will be mandatory for every moped driver. It is expected to take effect next summer.
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