Standard two-wheel motor vehicle (Japan)

A , sometimes referred to as an ordinary motorcycle, is one of the vehicle categories in the Road Traffic Act of Japan. Such vehicles (motorcycles) have a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 400 cc.

In contrast, in the same act, such vehicle with a displacement of 125 cc or less is called a (small motorcycle), and is a subcategory of a standard two-wheel motor vehicle. Meanwhile, one with a displacement of over 400 cc is called a (heavy motorcycle).

Overview A standard two-wheel motor vehicle can be operated with an ordinary motorcycle license or a heavy motorcycle license. It is defined in the Road Traffic Act's Enforcement Regulations as a "two-wheeled vehicle (including one with a side car) other than a large special vehicle, heavy motorcycle and small special vehicle".

Three-wheeled vehicles are treated as ordinary vehicles, and are not classed as motorcycles. However, the safety standard for motorcycles is applied to a three-wheeled vehicle that has coaxial wheels with a width of less than 46 cm, where the body or wheels incline when turning.

License

A license to ride an ordinary motorcycle can be obtained from the age of 16 onward.

Categories Some of the vehicle categories under Japanese law are as follows: NameJapaneseDescriptionMopedAny motorcycle with engine displacement of 50 cc or less.Small motorcycleAny motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 125 cc.Ordinary motorcycleAny motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 400 cc.Heavy motorcycleAny motorcycle with engine displacement over 400 cc.

Other details License typeMinimum ageDisplacementLoading capacityLegal speed limit (general roads)Expressway ridingPillion ridingBus lane ridingMoped16Up to 50 ccNoNoYesSmall motorcycle (incl. AT)16Up to 125 ccNoYes (1 year after license acquisition)NoOrdinary motorcycle (incl. AT)16Up to 400 ccYesYes (1 year after license acquisition)NoHeavy motorcycle (incl. AT)18No limitYesYes (1 year after license acquisition)No

Gallery

See also Bōsōzoku Mopeds in Japan Small two-wheel motor vehicle (Japan) Large two-wheel motor vehicle (Japan)

References

External links Information about acquiring a license (Japan Motorcycle Promotion & Safety Association)