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Class A or class B: which moped do you ride?
Not all "50cc scooters" are treated the same. The Belgian highway code distinguishes two classes of moped, and almost all the rules that follow — licence, place on the road, exam questions — flow from it. Start by knowing exactly what you ride.
A moped is a small-engined motor vehicle whose speed is limited by design. It is this maximum design speed — not your actual speed at any given moment — that defines the class:
| Class A | Class B | |
|---|---|---|
| Max. speed (by design) | 25 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Minimum age | 16 years | 16 years |
| Licence | no licence required | AM licence (or category B licence) |
| Helmet | compulsory | compulsory |
| Number plate + insurance | compulsory | compulsory |
You can take the AM licence from 16: you must pass the theory exam and then complete the practical training. If you later obtain a category B licence (car), it also covers class B mopeds. And beware: "no licence" for class A does not mean "no rules" — the Belgian highway code applies to you in full.
Where do you ride depending on your class?
- Class A: you are treated like a cyclist — the cycle path is compulsory whenever there is a usable one.
- Class B, outside built-up areas: you must use the cycle path whenever it exists and is usable.
- Class B, in built-up areas: as a rule you ride on the carriageway — unless an additional panel below the cycle-path sign requires (or forbids) you to use it.
- Both classes: prohibited on motorways and roads reserved for motor vehicles, whatever your speed.
You are 16 and want to ride a scooter limited to 45 km/h. What do you need?
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a class B moped with my category B car licence?
Yes: the category B licence covers class B mopeds. At 16, however, the AM licence route is the only option.
Does my moped really need a number plate?
Yes. Any moped put into circulation in Belgium must be registered and carry its small plate at the rear, as well as having third-party liability insurance.