Moped car: 45 km/h Car from 15 or 16 – which models can I drive?

Who hasn't dreamed as a teenager of being independent on the road - and arriving at their destination dry? Until now, 15 or 16-year-olds only had the option of driving a moped or later a scooter. With micro-cars, a new world is opening up. We'll tell you whether the small cars are really an alternative, what the safety situation is, and which models you have to choose from.

What is a moped car?

Moped cars are small and light four-wheeled motor vehicles that can travel at a maximum speed of 45 km/h and may be driven by persons aged 15 and over. Their output is limited to 6 kW and the weight must not exceed 425 kilograms.

 

What driving licence do you need for a moped car?

As the name suggests, you need at least an AM driver's license for a moped car or microcar. Since July 2021, light vehicles that are not faster than 45 km/h have been allowed to be driven uniformly throughout Germany with the class AM driving licence at the age of 15. A Renault Twizy alternative would also be an idea. In addition to the AM class, the key number 195 will then be entered in the driver's license, which may only be used to drive in Germany until the age of 16.

As long as the specified maximum speed and weight are not exceeded, you are also allowed to drive a four-wheeled moped car.

How much do cars cost for 15 and 16 year olds?

Depending on the manufacturer, prices start at around 8,000 euros. The Citroen Ami is the cheapest model, the most expensive is an Ellenator, which is available from just under 25,000 euros.

 

Which micro-cars for 15 and 16-year-olds are there?

In order to be allowed to drive a light vehicle – also known as the micro-caro of the moped car – as a young person, an AM driving licence is required. Currently, eight manufacturers offer models that can be driven with this driver's license, and thus from the age of 15.

Current manufacturers with moped cars on offer:

• Aixam
• Casalini
• Ligier
• Microcar
• Opel
• Renault
• Fiat
• Citroen

From the age of 16, the models of the manufacturer Ellenator are also possible. This is a converted Fiat 500.

In Germany, since July 2021, it is no longer dependent on the state whether a vehicle may be driven at up to 45 km/h at the age of 15 or 16. The regulation has been standardized. Insurance is usually cheap, there are conditions for light motorcycles, as with insurance for novice drivers.

As examples, we highlight models from different manufacturers so that you can get a feel for driving from the age of 15.

Opel Rocks-e: Modern und spritzig

Visually, the Opel e-car can collect some plus points from the age of 15. It is colourful and – as far as a micro car is possible – has a modern design. Electric cars from the age of 15 make sense, but have a fairly short range, you might think. However, those who are on the road with the Rocks-e tend to have less of a problem, at least in summer. Supposedly, a range of 70 kilometersis possible.

The Opel car from the age of 15 is by far the cheapest model for young people. It is available from just under 8,000 euros, but you have to deal with hard plastic, poorly fitted plastic parts and hard seats in the interior. Overall, there is a lack of any comfort, even the turn signals have to be reset manually.

There is also no trunk, so the backpack must be placed on the passenger seat or behind the seats.

✅ Visually appealing ❌ comfort is completely lacking

✅ Well suited ❌ for the city An obstacle on country roads

✅ Lots of range ❌, little focus on security

Citroen Ami – identical in construction but still different

Since mid-2024, the Ami has finally been available in Germany, at a price of less than 10,000 euros. Leasing is also possible, from 39 euros a month you can drive a micro-car – by which time rail travel is almost no longer an alternative.

The only difference between the three identical models from Fiat, Opel and Citroen is probably the look. The Ami looks like the front at the back – and that was intentional. Whether it should be the Rocks-e, the Topolino or the Ami will probably only be decided by your own taste in the end.

✅ Finally little comfort in Germany ❌

✅ Functional design ❌ Hardly any safety

✅ Cheap leasing ❌ Only for short distances

Fiat Topolino – Dolce Vita in miniature

The Ami, Rocks-e and Topolino are actually identical in construction, but the little Italian still comes with an independent design and some extras that are not available in the other Microcars. If you choose the Dolcevita version, you get a roll-up roof and no side doors. But two ropes – ideal on the beach, a bit impractical in everyday life. The roll-up roof is rolled backwards or forwards by hand and fixed with Velcro fasteners. A circumferential zipper makes things tight.

Of course, the normal version has a roof and doors and you can also drive at a maximum speed of 45 km/h and have no trunk. An optional rear luggage rack is available for this purpose – really retro.

✅ Cuddly retro design ❌ No ABS, no ESP

✅ Version without doors possible ❌ Spartan interior

✅ Optional rear rack ❌ Slow loading

Renault Twizy: Involved from the beginning

The Renault Twizy has been on the market for over ten years. As one of the first electric cars ever and with its strange look, it caused a stir at the time. The Twizy cannot be described as a car, it is a mixture of scooter and car, but actually closer to a two-wheeler.

Der Elektromotor leistet 11 PS, die Reichweite liegt bei knapp 80 Kilometern. Mit einem Preis von 11.450 Euro für die Basisversion schlackern einem wortwörtlich die Ohren – denn Türen gibt es nur gegen Aufpreis. Ja, richtig gehört, und es ist eine Flügeltür ohne Seitenscheibe. Damit sollte man bei starkem Wind oder Regen lieber nicht zu weit unterwegs sein – es könnte ungemütlich werden.

Komfortabel ist es im Twizy nicht wirklich, wobei es durchaus ein Auto für große Menschen ist, das auch für Erwachsene taugt.

✅ Auch große Menschen haben Platz ❌ Wenig Komfort (keine Heizung usw.)

✅ Für die Stadt gut geeignet ❌ Schlechte Sicht nach hinten

✅ Gute Fahreigenschaften ❌ Geringes Sicherheitsniveau

Ellenator: Fiat 500 mal anders

In contrast to the other cars from 15 or 16 years old, the Ellenator is a real car in the base. The installed engine is throttled to 20 hp, so that it can be driven with a driving licence class A1, and thus in most federal states from the age of 16. The top speed is 90 km/h, which is fast enough to swim well in traffic even outside the city.

Of course, the look is striking, the rear axle developed and patented by the manufacturer is located in the middle - and so are the two rear wheels. A clever move, because the Ellenator is classified as a three-wheeled vehicle. However, the special rear axle also has disadvantages. The car becomes unstable when cornering at high speed and can tip over, so you should definitely drive carefully here.

In terms of comfort, driving characteristics, workmanship and trunk, the Ellenator ranks far behind in first place - after all, it contains everything you know from the Fiat 500. But this also comes at a price: At around 25,000 euros, it is by far the most expensive car for 16-year-olds.

✅ Comfort and safety like a car ❌ Very expensive

✅ Four-seater + trunk ❌ Be careful when cornering

✅ No obstacle ❌ even on country roads Sluggish acceleration

Moped Cars from Aixam

The company Aixam has been on the light vehicle market since 1983 and has several models in its portfolio.

The Ambition model series is available as a city car, as a coupé and cross version, and a total of 7 model variants are available. You can get the Ambition models as diesel or electric, the cheapest versions are available from 12,590 euros (diesel) and 14,390 euros (electric).

The mini car, which is also available as a diesel (from €10,390) or electric (from €11,990), is even cheaper.

Moped cars from Microcar

Ligier-Microcar is a company based in Cologne that produces light vehicles for driving from the age of 15. The company's Microcar models are: Microcar Dué and Microcar M.Go. Both models can be driven from the age of 15, with the focus of the Dué being on manoeuvrability and driving in dense city traffic. With the M.o, you should even be able to load a lot thanks to a 690-liter trunk.

The Dué costs from about 14,000 euros, for the M.Go at least 15,000 euros are due.

Micro Cars by Ligier

The same company also owns the Ligier brand, which produces slightly larger and sportier moped cars. The Ligier JS50 and the Ligier JS60 are currently in the range. Both models impress with some equipment, sportiness and modern design.

The JS60 is almost a real mini SUV – even air conditioning and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are available as options.

 

Safety: How safe are microcars and moped cars?

Anyone who thinks that cars are just as safe for 15- and 16-year-olds as classic cars is mistaken. Actually, the security even leaves a lot to be desired. There are no airbags, the crash tests carried out in 2014 and 2016 were deficient in all available models.

This is mainly due to the fact that no crash tests are required for microcars, i.e. vehicles of the L6e class. That's why you can't compare safety with normal cars. The moped cars are much too light to be able to provide sufficient safety.

Ein weiteres Problem sind Micro-Cars auf Landstraßen – vor allem nachts. Sie sind zwar beleuchtet, doch als Pkw-Fahrer:in kann man häufig nicht einschätzen, dass sich ein Gefährt mit nur 45 km/h bewegt. Das kann schnell gefährlich werden. Unter Tags bildet ein solches Fahrzeug zwangsläufig ein Verkehrshindernis, beim Überholen tut man sich schwerer als bei Kleinkrafträdern, was ebenfalls zu erhöhter Unfallgefahr führt.

Insgesamt fällt die Sicherheitsbilanz also nicht so gut aus, doch die Alternativen sind Moped und Roller – und hier sieht es in Sachen Sicherheit ebenfalls nicht besser aus. Die sichersten Autos sind die, die beim NCAP-Crashtest als sicher gewertet werden.

Advantages and disadvantages of cars for 15 and 16-year-olds

Depending on the perspective from which you look at the microcars, both advantages and disadvantages can be seen. Both should not be ignored before making a purchase decision:

Advantages of micro-cars

• Comfortable means of transport
• Independence (especially in rural areas)
• Driving experience to prepare for a normal driver's license

Disadvantages of micro-cars

• Security rather inadequate
• Cause traffic jams
• Speed difficult for other car drivers to assess
• Value for money could be better

Alternatives and tips for driving at 15 or 16 years old

If a four-wheeled vehicle is out of the question for your 15 or 16-year-old offspring for various reasons, there are still the classic alternativesthat have been around for many years:

• Moped (from 15 years)
• Scooter (from 16 years)
• Public transport
• Bicycle
• Walking

At the earliest, accompanied driving in a normal car is possible at the age of 17. However, the parents have to pull together with their child - because they have to sit in the car. The theoretical theory test is also necessary for the moped or scooter driving licence.