Traffic_Rules_for_Specified_Small_Motorized_Bicycles

Traffic Rules for Specified Small Motorized Bicycles
What are specified small motorized bicycles?
Motorized bicycles that meet all the following criteria

【Vehicle Size】
Length: Up to 190cm Width: Up to 60cm Relevant NPA
【Vehicle Structure】 webpage
○ Cannot accelerate over 20km/h
○ Cannot change the top speed setting while driving
○ Automatic Transmission (AT)
○ Maximum speed indicating light installed etc.
From July 1, 2023, vehicles that may look like electric scooters but fall out of these criteria will
remain subject to the traffic rules for general motorized bicycles or motor vehicles according to their
vehicle classifications. Driving license is required to drive these vehicles.
Drivers’ age limit
○ Must be 16 years old or above

Those under 16 years old are prohibited from driving specified
small motorized bicycles.
Basic traffic rules you should know before you drive
○ Compliance with safety standards

To drive specified small motorized bicycles,
1) The vehicles must meet the safety standards set by the Road Transport Vehicle Act,
2) You must be covered with compulsory automobile liability insurance, and
3) Number plates must be attached to the vehicles.
※ Due to safety reasons, municipalities will sequentially issue number plates that are
smaller than conventional one to fit within the vehicle width.
You may apply for small number plates even if you already have conventional number
plates issued. Please install them to ensure safety.
Small Number Plates
Performance
Certificates
○ Driving under the influence of alcohol is absolutely prohibited

Do not drive after drinking alcohol.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is an extremely
serious and dangerous crime.
Drivable Lanes
○ Drive on the roadways

Drive on the roadways. (You may also drive on the bicycle path).
Drive on the left edge of the road. Do not drive on the right sides.
【Driving lanes for specified small motorized bicycles】
“Bicycles and Specified Small “Traffic Lanes Exclusive

Motorized Bicycles Only” for Standard Bicycles”
○ How to turn
・ Turing Left ・ Turning Right
When turning left, ensure At any intersection, specified
safety of the rear, turn on the small motorized bicycles must
left turn signal beforehand, make ‘2-step right turns’.
proceed along the left edge of (※)
the road and sufficiently
※ Cross the street on a green
decelerate to turn without light, then turn the vehicle right
blocking the crossing to cross again after the front
pedestrians. signal turns green.
Basic Traffic Rules
○ Obey the traffic light signals

You must obey the traffic light signals .
○ Prohibition of entry
Do not drive on streets or part of the streets where its passage/traffic is
prohibited by road signs.
【Major Relevant Road Signs】

“Road Closed to “Prohibited from “One Way for
Bicycles and Proceeding Bicycles and
Specified Small Except in the Specified Small
“Road closed to “Prohibition on Motorized Motorized
“Road Closed” Direction “One Way”
vehicles” Vehicle” Bicycles” Bicycles”
Indicated”
Traffic of specified small motorized bicycles Must also obey these signs
is prohibited
○ Where to stop
At stop signs, stop immediately in front of the stop lines (or immediately
in front of the intersections if there are no stop lines).
“Stop”
○ Yield to Pedestrians/Pedestrians First

When pedestrians are crossing or about to cross the pedestrian
crossings, stop immediately in front of the pedestrian crossings (or
immediately in front of the stop lines) and yield to pedestrians.
○ Other rules to follow

It is prohibited to drive while talking on your
smartphones or focusing attention on their screens.
Exceptional cases where traffic on sidewalks are allowed
The vehicles which meet all the criteria of exceptional specified small
motorized bicycles may drive on sidewalks indicated with signs of “Standard
Bicycles and Pedestrians Only”.
【Criteria of exceptional specified small motorized bicycles】
○ Flickering maximum speed indicating light (green lights)
○ Cannot accelerate over 6km/h etc.
※ vehicles that can accelerate over 6km/h with throttle operations do not meet the
criteria of exceptional specified small motorized bicycles and thus may not drive
on sidewalks.
When driving on sidewalks, drive on the near-road side of pedestrian

sidewalks or on “the part of sidewalk for use by standard bicycles”.
On sidewalks, do not prevent pedestrians from proceeding.
“Standard Bicycles and Pedestrians Only”
【Driving on sidewalks】
For safe driving
○ Wearing Bike Helmets

Wear bike helmets to protect your heads and mitigate damage from
traffic accidents.
In case of traffic accidents
If traffic accidents occur, the drivers of the specified small motorized

bicycles must rescue the injured and immediately report the accidents to
the police. Otherwise, the accidents will be treated as hit-and-run cases.
In case of traffic accidents, the drivers must take the following actions:
(1) To prevent blocking other traffic and sequential accidents, pull off to
safe places (e.g., road shoulders or blank spaces) and turn off the
engine.
(2) If there are injured persons, conduct possible rescue activities e.g.,
stop the bleeding by using gauze or clean handkerchiefs until physicians
and ambulances arrive. Do not move the injured, particularly if the head
is injured. However, promptly rescue and move the injured to a safe
place when sequential accidents by the cars behind may occur.
(3) Report the location of accident, number of the injured and degrees of
injuries, degrees of property damage, load of the accident vehicles to the
police officers and receive instructions.

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Traffic Rules for Specified Small Motorized Bicycles

What are specified small motorized bicycles?

Motorized bicycles that meet all the following criteria

Drivers’ age limit

○ Must be 16 years old or above

○ Compliance with safety standards

○ Driving under the influence of alcohol is absolutely prohibited

○ Drive on the roadways

【Driving lanes for specified small motorized bicycles】

“Bicycles and Specified Small “Traffic Lanes Exclusive

○ Obey the traffic light signals

【Major Relevant Road Signs】

○ Yield to Pedestrians/Pedestrians First

○ Other rules to follow

When driving on sidewalks, drive on the near-road side of pedestrian

For safe driving

○ Wearing Bike Helmets

In case of traffic accidents

If traffic accidents occur, the drivers of the specified small motorized

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