Cars without license. What models are accessible from 14 years old?

Take the wheel before the age of 18: unless you practice accompanied driving, it is a privilege reserved for users of cars without a licence, also called quadricyles. A much more expensive means of transport to buy than the scooter, but also much more reassuring for parents. Increasingly, the prejudices that have long been associated with drivers of this type of vehicle are thus tending to fade since they now fall into the trendy category of mobility objects. This sector is currently booming. A godsend for the many manufacturers based in France, one of the leading markets in Europe for quadricycles: Aixam, Ligier or even Chatenet are in particular fighting over this juicy cake. With new selling prices that can sometimes reach those of a real automobile!

How to drive a car without a license?

To have the privilege of driving these carts on the road, young people under the age of 18 must however obtain, since 2014, the AM license, light quadricycle option. A training of 8 hours minimum which is not necessarily provided by all driving schools and which allows you to acquire some basics. With a power of 6 kW and a speed limited to 45 km/h, quadricycles are logically banned from motorways and expressways. On the other hand, they can circulate without problem in town or on the departmental roads. As a bonus, the regulations bring them closer to two-wheelers: they thus benefit from a Crit’Air 1 sticker, even if they generally run on diesel! Except for second-hand models, there is therefore no restriction to be feared in low-emission zones.

How much does a quadricycle cost?

Despite much lower standards than for conventional cars, quadricycles undeniably offer more safety than a simple scooter. But the price is also not comparable. Count at least 9,500 € in new and up to more than 16,000 € for the best-equipped models. As you will have understood, these vehicles are aimed above all at a fairly well-to-do category of parents. This is why we see more and more of them in certain districts of the Parisian regions and the big cities of the Mediterranean coast. However, you can look on the side of ad sites to seriously lower the bill… or turn to a certain Citroën Ami who has seriously shaken up the market.

What about electric models?

If your ecological fiber pushes you towards an electric quadricycle, don’t worry, you are now spoiled for choice. Aixam, a historical player in the segment, notably offers a version “trendy” of its flagship model, the e-City. Sold from €13,900, it announces a range of 75 km. But its top-of-the-range versions border on €19,000 and here, these craftsmen-specialists must also contend with competition from two more traditional manufacturers, with much higher financial means: Renault, with its Twizy which has just celebrated its tenth anniversary, and Citroën with his friend.

When Citroën and Renault arrive

Renault was the first to draw in 2012 with its Twizy. In its small version limited to 45 km/h, the Diamond quadricycle can be yours for €11,500 new or €6,000 on the second-hand market. First made in Spain, it was then transferred to South Korea because it did not meet with the expected success. A semi-failure that does not prevent the Losange from having already presented a concept of its replacement, the Duo, which this time will be offered by the Mobilize brand, dedicated to new forms of mobility. With an arrival scheduled for 2023 and a cabin that will no longer be open to the four winds.

The real star of the category, it is actually to Citroën that we owe it. At the beginning of 2020, the brand unveiled its Ami which takes up, in a much less enticing form, the codes of the Concept Ami One presented a year earlier at the Geneva Motor Show. Capable of traveling at 45 km/h and having a range of 70 km, it is distributed in the Citroën network but also in certain Fnac and Darty stores. Made in Morocco, it is sold from €6,900 or rental from €20 per month. A formula that seems to have hit the bull’s eye, with 9,000 copies sold in the first year, even if some problems with extended delivery times, then reliability problems have marred his promising start to his career. It now remains to confirm this enthusiasm over time.