QuadricycleAustralia

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


87. Quadricycle

A quadricycle is a motor vehicle with four wheels that belongs to a vehicle category below or separate from an ordinary passenger car. Quadricycles may be designed for passenger transport, goods transport or recreational use and can be powered by a combustion engine or electric motor.

Traffic law commonly distinguishes between light quadricycles, which have relatively low power and maximum design speed, and heavier or more powerful quadricycles. Driving-licence, helmet, registration, insurance and road-access requirements depend on the vehicle's legal classification and the local traffic regulations.

Quadricycle
Quadricycle International Q-Cycle 6 at the Old Port of Montreal. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Ahunt • CC0
What is a quadricycle?

A quadricycle is a four-wheeled motor vehicle belonging to a specialised vehicle category distinct from an ordinary passenger car.

What is a light quadricycle?

A light quadricycle is a relatively low-powered four-wheel motor vehicle with a restricted maximum design speed. In European vehicle classification, light quadricycles belong to category L6e.

What is a heavy quadricycle?

A heavier or more powerful quadricycle that does not qualify as a light quadricycle can fall within category L7e under European vehicle-classification rules.

Is a quadricycle the same as a car?

No. Although some enclosed quadricycles resemble very small cars, they belong to a different technical and legal vehicle category and can have different licence, power, mass and road-access rules.

Is a quadricycle the same as a quad or ATV?

Not necessarily. The quadricycle category includes several types of four-wheel motor vehicles. Some are open recreational quads, while others are enclosed road-going microcars designed for passengers or goods.

Can a quadricycle be electric?

Yes. Quadricycles can use electric motors, combustion engines or other approved propulsion systems.

Do you need a driving licence for a quadricycle?

Usually yes, but the required licence depends on whether the vehicle is classified as a light or heavier quadricycle and on the country's licensing system.

Does a quadricycle need a licence plate?

Road-going quadricycles commonly require registration and a registration plate. Exact requirements vary between countries.

Must quadricycle occupants wear helmets?

This depends on the vehicle design and local law. Open quadricycles may require helmets, while enclosed vehicles with a passenger compartment and restraint systems can be subject to seat-belt rules instead.

Can a quadricycle carry passengers?

Yes, when it is designed and approved to do so. The number of passengers may not exceed the vehicle's approved seating capacity.

Can a quadricycle use a motorway?

This depends on its vehicle category, construction speed and local motorway-access rules. Low-speed light quadricycles are normally unsuitable for motorway traffic.

Does a quadricycle follow motorcycle or car traffic rules?

This depends on its legal classification. Some light quadricycles are treated similarly to mopeds, while heavier quadricycles may follow many of the ordinary rules applying to cars.

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...