Do I need a licence to ride a quad bike?
The quad bike, a light quadricycle (with an engine capacity of 50cc or less), legally belongs to the category of motor vehicles under the Highway Code. Like most vehicles, it can only be ridden if you hold the correct licence.
It's worth noting that in 2012, the Italian Highway Code incorporated some European directives on licences, which brought significant changes compared to the past regarding what was allowed or prohibited on the road.
One of these changes concerned the licence required to ride a quad bike: today, not all types of quad bikes can be ridden with just an A or B licence.
Let's take a look at which licence you'll need to ride this vehicle that excites both adults and children alike.
Different licences for different types of quad bikes
Licence type | Which quad bikes you can ride | Minimum age and requirements |
AM Licence | Unladen weight of 350 kg or less | - From age 14 - Practical test on an approved vehicle for driver and passenger |
| B1 Licence | Unladen weight up to 400 kg and 15 KW power | - From age 16 - Practical test on a vehicle capable of 60 km/h |
Category B Licence | Unladen weight up to 3500 kg | - From age 18 - Practical test on a vehicle capable of 100 km/h |
For standard excursions, therefore, a B1 licence is required, and it permits carrying a child on the rear seat.
Legal penalties
If a rider does not hold any licence or holds an incorrect licence, the Italian Highway Code obviously provides for penalties: this may include licence suspension for up to 12 months or administrative detention with vehicle confiscation.
Fines also apply for not wearing a helmet: the helmet must be an approved model complying with European standards and display labels on the strap indicating its production number. It must also clearly show the type and country of approval.
Finally, the Highway Code prohibits quad bikes from both extra-urban roads and motorways: this ban actually applies to all vehicles with an unladen weight of 400 kg or less and a minimum achievable speed of 80 km/h. Therefore, our light quadricycles naturally fall into this category. Violating this traffic ban may result in fines of up to €150 and the deduction of 2 points from your licence.
So, to enjoy riding a quad bike across Italy—whether through organised excursions by Carolina Ranch in stunning Carbonia-Iglesias or those by Piacentini in elegant Modena—you'll need the correct licence. After that, all that's left is to have fun!
