Top Page＞English＞Rules regarding "motor tricycles" have been revised

Rules regarding "motor tricycles" have been revised

(Road Traffic Law Regulations amendment) Effective September 1, 2009

Some currently available motor tricycles have a different structure to previously available motor tricycles, allowing them to turn with their wheels or bodies inclined, for example. Since this kind of characteristic makes them similar to motorcycles (with two wheels), the Road Traffic Law Regulations were amended so that motor tricycles are now considered as motorcycles. Accordingly, a motor cycle license is now required to drive a motor tricycle.

* Major revisions

Before the revision (up to August 31, 2009)
  • To drive a motor tricycle an ordinary driver's license was required. (Motor tricycles were not considered like motorcycles under the law.)
After the revision (on and after September 1, 2009)
  • To drive a motor tricycle a motorcycle rider's license is required. (Motor tricycles are now considered like motorcycles under the law.)

Motor tricycles approved for use on public roadways must meet all the following requirements.

  • They should be equipped with three wheels.
  • The transverse wheel axle should be symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal line of the motorcycle body.
  • The distance between the centers of the two rear wheels where they touch the ground when symmetrically positioned should be not more than 460 mm.
  • They should have the structure necessary to enable partial or complete inclination of the wheels and body when turning.

* Please pay attention to the followings.

  • When the amendment to the regulations took effect (on September 1, 2009) it became necessary to carry a motorcycle license (instead of an ordinary driver's license) in order to drive a motor tricycle.

If you have been driving a motor tricycle before September 1, 2009 (the day the amendment took effect) you can take a special examination between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010, to obtain a special motorcycle license that will only permit you to drive a motor tricycle. Until the time this license is obtained you will be permitted to drive a motor tricycle using an ordinary driver's license (until the one year period is over).

  • Anyone who has less than 1 year of experience riding a motorcycle (or less than 3 years experience for driving on expressways) is not permitted to carry a passenger (Time spent driving motor tricycle can be counted as part of this experience).
  • When driving a motor tricycle it tis necessary to wear a crash helmet and to obey all traffic regulations applicable to motorcycles.
Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters Traffic Department TEL:075-451-9111(switchboard)

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