Small two-wheel motor vehicle (Japan)

A small two-wheel motor vehicle (小型自動二輪車, kogata jidō nirinsha), sometimes referred to as a small 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 125 cc, or their rated output exceeds 0.6 kW but is no more than 1 kW.

In contrast, in the same act, such vehicle with a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 400 cc is called a standard two-wheel motor vehicle (普通自動二輪車, futsū jidō nirinsha), or ordinary motorcycle. Thus, a small motorcycle is a subcategory of an ordinary motorcycle.

Meanwhile, a motorcycle with a displacement of over 400 cc is called a large two-wheel motor vehicle (大型自動二輪車, ōgata jidō nirinsha) (heavy motorcycle).

Categories

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Some of the vehicle categories under Japanese law are as follows:

Name Japanese Description
Moped 原動機付自転車 Any motorcycle with engine displacement of 50 cc or less.
Small motorcycle 小型自動二輪車 Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 125 cc.
Ordinary motorcycle 普通自動二輪車 Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 400 cc.
Heavy motorcycle 大型自動二輪車 Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 400 cc.
Front sticker
Rear sticker
Small motorcycles in Japan can display a white sticker on the front end of the vehicle, and a triangular sticker on the rear (optional).

License

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A license to drive a small motorcycle can be obtained from the age of 16 onward.

 
Japanese driving licence sample with category for ordinary motorcycle (普自二) circled. In the license's remarks section halfway down the card, it says "Ordinary motorcycle is limited to AT (automatic transmission) small motorcycle"
Displacement 50 cc or less 125 cc or less 250 cc or less 400 cc or less Over 400 cc
Road Traffic Act Vehicle classification Moped Ordinary motorcycle (small motorcycle) Ordinary motorcycle Heavy motorcycle
Type of license Moped license Ordinary motorcycle license (limited to small motorcycle) Ordinary motorcycle license Heavy motorcycle license

Other details

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License type Minimum age Displacement Loading capacity Legal speed limit (general roads) Expressway riding Pillion riding Bus lane riding
Moped 16 Up to 50 cc 30 kg (66 lb) 30 km/h (19 mph) No No Yes
Small motorcycle (incl. AT) 16 Up to 125 cc 60 kg (130 lb) 60 km/h (37 mph) No Yes (1 year after license acquisition) No
Ordinary motorcycle (incl. AT) 16 Up to 400 cc 60 kg (130 lb) 60 km/h (37 mph) Yes Yes (1 year after license acquisition) No
Heavy motorcycle (incl. AT) 18 No limit 60 kg (130 lb) 60 km/h (37 mph) Yes Yes (1 year after license acquisition) No
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References

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