As with all types of vehicles, whether or not you need a license to drive them, there are several brands and models of cars without a license on the market . These VSPs, accessible from the age of 14 on condition of having an AM licence, can be equipped with a combustion or electric motor and require special insurance . Follow us for a little tour of the electric car market without a license.
Electric vehicle without a license, how does it work?
The big difference between an electric cart without a license and a conventional vehicle lies in the operation. In the case of a car without a license, the controls are greatly simplified. The gearbox, for example, is automatic by legal obligation : which means that the vehicle does not have a clutch pedal.
A relatively practical situation for less experienced drivers, who will no longer need to worry about certain maneuvers, such as hill starts. Thanks to this configuration, it will be impossible to stall during the restart. The driver will then just need his right foot to control the brake pedal and the accelerator.
The gearbox of a vehicle without a license then consists of only 3 letters which are called selectors:
- The R selector which means “Reverse”: this position is dedicated to reverse gear.
- The N selector which stands for “Neutral”: to put the vehicle in neutral. You will use this mode as a priority to park your vehicle, while activating the handbrake to ensure a total stop in good conditions. In this way, you will prevent the car from moving at the slightest shock, especially if you plan to park on a slope.
- Selector D which stands for “Drive”: this position is dedicated to forward gear. In this case, the cart advances a few km/h, without you needing to act on the pedals. On the other hand, you will be strongly recommended to keep your right foot on the brake pedal before each start, or each time the vehicle stops, especially when you intend to stop at a red light. In this way, you will prevent the vehicle from moving forward on its own.
Who can drive an electric cart without a license?
Carts without a license are less dangerous means of transport and easier to access than conventional vehicles. It is thus possible to drive them from the age of 14 .
To begin with, the maximum speed of these machines is limited to 45 km/h in most cases. The risks of collision or serious accident are thus more limited, and the damage caused is less significant.
Even if the license is not necessary to drive an electric car without a license, it is still mandatory to have the BSR: the Road Safety Certificate for all people born after January 1, 1998.
It should also be noted that since January 2013, the legislation has changed on this point: now, the AM license is compulsory for all people who wish to drive a cart, but who do not have a B or B1 license . No worries though, since the AM license is presented as an improved version of the BSR, and is not considered a perfect license.
Makes and models of cars without an electric license currently on the market
License-free electric vehicles are growing in popularity, there is now a 10% increase in sales each year, and more and more manufacturers are taking an interest in this market.
The AIXAM manufacturer is the European market leader and currently produces 1,500 vehicles without a license per year. It offers several ranges of electric and diesel license-free cars, including the new Emotion range released in 2020 which offers a modern design and 3 versions: City, Coupé and Crossline/Crossover.
We also find, among the manufacturers of cars without a license, the Bellier brand, which markets the B series in particular. The Bellier B8 is strongly inspired by the Fiat 500.
Chatenet is also a brand worth mentioning. It is particularly known for its CH26 model , a copy of the famous Mini cart. But also for its CH40 Junior model equipped with numerous standard equipment: electric windows, central locking, aluminum rims, etc.
Without forgetting the little ones that are making a lot of noise: the Citroën AMI and the Renault Twizy . If the first, accessible from €6,000 thanks to state aid, has made the car without an electric license “cool” with its modern design, its panoramic roof and its autonomy of 70 km. The second has become the best-selling 100% electric vehicle in Europe.
Price of an electric car without a license
On the new market, cars without an electric license are more expensive than their diesel or petrol counterparts.
When a new VSP with a diesel engine sells for between €10,000 and €18,000, a petrol VSP costs between €14,000 and €20,000, and for a vehicle without a new electric licence, generally count between €15,000 and € 25,000 .
But you can also find a good quality electric car without a license on the second-hand market between 6000 and 9000€.
