MicrocarNew Zealand

A microcar is a very small enclosed motor vehicle generally intended for short journeys and urban transport.

Not necessarily. Many microcars are legally classified as light or heavy quadricycles rather than passenger cars and can therefore have different licence, speed and road-access rules.

Many microcars are light quadricycles, but the terms are not identical. Microcar describes the general vehicle design, while light quadricycle is a specific legal vehicle category.

Yes. Microcars may use electric motors, combustion engines or other approved propulsion systems.

This depends on its legal category and construction. Light quadricycles commonly have a substantially lower maximum design speed than ordinary passenger cars.

Usually yes. The required licence depends on whether the vehicle is classified as a light quadricycle, heavier quadricycle or ordinary passenger car.

Some countries allow light quadricycles to be driven at a younger age than ordinary cars, subject to the appropriate licence. Minimum ages vary between countries.

Road-going microcars generally require registration and a registration plate according to their vehicle category.

Normally yes. Motor vehicles used on public roads are generally subject to the motor-liability insurance requirements of the country in which they are registered or used.

This depends on the vehicle construction and local law. Enclosed quadricycles equipped with seat belts may be treated differently from open quadricycles, where helmet requirements are more common.

Low-speed microcars classified as light quadricycles are commonly prohibited from motorways. Faster vehicles may have different access rights according to their classification and construction speed.

A microcar belongs to a different vehicle category and may be subject to different construction and type-approval requirements from an ordinary passenger car. Drivers should not assume that the two vehicle types provide identical levels of crash protection.