Duo, a licence-free vehicle from Mobilize, an affordable and sustainable mobility solution
What is a licence-free car?
A licence-free car also known as a “light quadricycle”, is a two-seater motorised vehicle that can be driven without a conventional driving licence. Two legal requirements set it apart from a conventional vehicle:
- Power cannot exceed 6 kW, i.e. approximately 8 bhp.
- Top speed is limited to 45 km/h.
From a regulatory standpoint, Mobilize Duo falls into the quadricycle category, between conventional cars and two-wheelers.
Compact and lightweight, Mobilize Duo 45 Neo (the licence-free version of Mobilize Duo) and Mobilize Duo 80 Evo combine the advantages of a car and a two-wheeler. Both are comfortable and easy to handle. These easy-to-drive all-electric vehicles are a means of independent mobility for drivers of any age in day-to-day use. They are also able to access the low-emission zones that are subject to traffic restrictions.
Can anybody drive a licence-free car?
In Europe, an AM licence is the minimum requirement for driving a licence-free car, although they can be driven with any other licence.
An AM licence is faster and less expensive to obtain than an A (motorbike) or B (car) licence.
In Europe, the minimum age for driving a licence-free car varies depending on the country:
- In France and Italy: licence-free cars can be driven from age 14.
- In Spain: drivers of licence-free cars must be at least 15.
- In Germany: the minimum age for driving a licence-free car is 16.
In France more specifically, quadricycles are divided into two sub-categories: L6 (light quadricycles) for licence-free vehicles and L7 (heavy quadricycle)for vehicles requiring a driving licence.
Mobilize Duo Neo 45 falls into the L6 category. It has a top speed of 45 km/h and can be driven from the age of 14 with just an AM licence.
Mobilize Duo Evo and Pro and Mobilize Bento 80 (utility quadricycle) belong to category L7. These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and requires a B or A licence or at least a 125 cc motorcycle licence.
Duo is a means of independence for apprentices or secondary school students who live in areas without public transport. It has a generous range for less frequent charging, so users can enjoy driving the car without worrying about running out of power.
What are the rules and requirements for licence-free cars?
Licence-free cars are required to be registered and to comply with the Highway Code. They cannot be driven on motorways, expressways or ring roads. In France, they need to undergo a mandatory roadworthiness test every three years as of 2024.
Like any other vehicle, licence-free cars must be insured, at least with third-party liability cover.
At European level, licence-free cars are approved under European Directive 2002/24/EC, which is gradually being replaced by Regulation 168/2013/EU1. Once approved, these cars can circulate freely in all European Union countries without border restrictions.
Licence-free cars are not subject to the same requirements as conventional cars in terms of safety equipment. This means that a driver airbag is not compulsory.
Mobilize Duo is unique on the quadricycle market, since it ships with a driver airbag and a force limiter on the front seatbelt. This level of safety is rare in this class and far greater than for two-wheelers.
How does Mobilize Duo make it easier to get around town?
While getting around can be a challenge in and around cities – particularly where public transport services are limited – licence-free quadricycles such as Mobilize Duo 45 Neo are a functional and efficient solution.
The Mobilize Duo quadricycle is highly compact, just 2.43m long and 1.3m wide. Where permitted, three Duos can be parked side by side in a space no bigger than a conventional parking slot.
In city traffic, Mobilize Duo 45 Neo is easy to handle with a turning circle of just 6.80 metres.
A greener way of getting around town, Duo is all-electric, with no tailpipe emissions and a generous range of 161 km.
*1 Excluding wear parts, in compliance with the homologation cycle (WMTC)
Mobilize Duo 45 Neo in brief
Mobilize Duo 45 Neo is an all-electric light quadricycle that can be driven without a licence in some countries, including France, from the age of 14. It is 2.43m long and 1.30m wide, with a range of 161 km.
For charging, Mobilize Duo ships as standard with a socket on the bonnet for domestic use (depending on the country), or with an optional Type 2 socket that works with most roadside or business charging points. Charging from 20% to 80%, i.e. around 120 km, takes 3 hrs 50 with a domestic socket, and 3 hrs 25 with a Type 2 socket.
Mobilize Duo 45 Neo is available from Renault dealers from €9,090 (€900 bonus deducted).
