Moped Cars in Holland
Moped cars (micro cars), or ‘brommobielen’ as they are known in the Netherlands, are small, enclosed 4-wheeled vehicles that travel at a maximum speed of 45 kph. A Dutch AM driving license is required to operate this type of vehicle in Holland and the driver must be at least 16 years of age.
There are different types of moped cars (brommobielen) on the market in the Netherlands. The MicroCar and Ligier vehicles are made in France while the Biro vehicles are from Italy. The Canta is a similar looking and performing ‘mobility aid’ made here in the Netherlands. All are equipped with efficient engines that are graded ‘A’ for CO2 emissions.
MOPED CAR DRIVER LICENSE
New drivers that have never held a Dutch (or European) Class B or C license must take the AM driver license exam administered by the CBR to drive a moped car (brommobiel).
Drivers who already have a Class B or C license are automatically qualified to drive a moped car and do not need to be licensed further.
A driver whose Class B or C license has expired and is not renewable can usually request the required Class AM4 license to drive a moped car without having to take the CBR exam. Such an application should be made at the local municipal office (gemeente).
MOPED CAR LICENSE (AM4) EXAM
The Dutch moped car driver license is Class AM4. ‘AM’ signifies moped and ‘4’ signifies 4 wheels. The license exam consists of two separate tests – a theoretical and a practical.
The AM4 theory exam is the same as that for the standard ‘AM’ license (for moped bikes). It consists of 50 questions and 44 must be answered correctly. Yes/No questions account for 35 of the 50 test questions, while the remaining 15 are a combination of multiple choice and open-ended questions.
The AM4 practical exam is not the same as that for the standard ‘AM’ license. For moped cars, the practical portion consists of eleven special maneuvers completed in an enclosed space. During the exam, the examiner chooses 5 random maneuvers from 2 groups. The 11th required element is always a “stop-in-the-bend” maneuver. The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes and an element can be repeated one time. The examiner observes the performance from outside the vehicle.
Driving the moped car in live traffic is not part of the practical portion of the AM4 license exam.
Once both portions of the moped car driving exam have been passed, a license is granted and can be collected at the local municipal office.
Note: A driver who holds a Dutch Class AM4 is only authorized to operate a moped car (‘brommobiel’), not a moped bike (‘bromfiets’ or ‘brommer’) unlike the holder of a Class AM (AM2) license who is authorized to drive either type of moped vehicle.
DRIVING A MOPED CAR IN HOLLAND
A moped car is officially defined as a moped vehicle having a closed body, can travel at a maximum speed of 45 kph and carries no more than two people (including the driver). A moped car must follow the same rules of the road as a passenger car, not a moped bike. It can be driven on roads with a maximum speed limit of 80 kph. They are not allowed to be driven on bicycle paths, motorways or highways. A moped car must be parked in the street (or parking structure), not on the sidewalk.
A moped car must be registered with the RDW, have a license plate affixed to the rear and be insured.
DUTCH CANTA MINI CAR
The ‘Canta’ is a 2-seat mini car developed and manufactured in the Netherlands with the goal of providing mobility and independence for people with reduced freedom of movement, especially the elderly, handicapped or injured. However, there are no restrictions in terms of who can purchase or drive a Canta.
A Canta can travel up to 45 kph and because it is only 1.1 meters wide, it has been classified as a mobility aid rather than a moped car. As such, it can be driven on bike paths, foot paths, sidewalks (at a maximum speed of 6 kph) and on local roads (with a maximum speed limit of 80 kph).
The Canta does NOT require the driver to have a Class AM4 license but they must be at least 16 years of age.
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