VoiturettePortugal
Règles de circulation
Portugal
62. Voiturette
Une voiturette est un très petit véhicule à moteur principalement conçu pour les courts trajets et les déplacements urbains. Elle possède généralement un habitacle fermé, quatre roues et une ou deux places, même si les conceptions et classifications juridiques varient.
De nombreuses voiturettes sont juridiquement classées comme quadricycles légers plutôt que comme voitures de tourisme ordinaires. Les modèles plus puissants ou rapides peuvent relever d’une catégorie de quadricycle plus lourd ou de voiture particulière. Le permis requis, l’âge minimum, l’immatriculation, l’assurance, la vitesse maximale et l’accès aux routes dépendent donc de la classification juridique officielle du véhicule.
What is a microcar?
A microcar is a very small enclosed motor vehicle generally intended for short journeys and urban transport.
Is a microcar the same as an ordinary car?
Not necessarily. Many microcars are legally classified as light or heavy quadricycles rather than passenger cars and can therefore have different licence, speed and road-access rules.
Is a microcar the same as a light quadricycle?
Many microcars are light quadricycles, but the terms are not identical. Microcar describes the general vehicle design, while light quadricycle is a specific legal vehicle category.
Can a microcar be electric?
Yes. Microcars may use electric motors, combustion engines or other approved propulsion systems.
How fast can a microcar travel?
This depends on its legal category and construction. Light quadricycles commonly have a substantially lower maximum design speed than ordinary passenger cars.
Do you need a driving licence for a microcar?
Usually yes. The required licence depends on whether the vehicle is classified as a light quadricycle, heavier quadricycle or ordinary passenger car.
Can teenagers drive a microcar?
Some countries allow light quadricycles to be driven at a younger age than ordinary cars, subject to the appropriate licence. Minimum ages vary between countries.
Does a microcar need a licence plate?
Road-going microcars generally require registration and a registration plate according to their vehicle category.
Does a microcar need insurance?
Normally yes. Motor vehicles used on public roads are generally subject to the motor-liability insurance requirements of the country in which they are registered or used.
Must you wear a helmet inside a microcar?
This depends on the vehicle construction and local law. Enclosed quadricycles equipped with seat belts may be treated differently from open quadricycles, where helmet requirements are more common.
Can a microcar use a motorway?
Low-speed microcars classified as light quadricycles are commonly prohibited from motorways. Faster vehicles may have different access rights according to their classification and construction speed.
Is a microcar as protective as a conventional passenger car?
A microcar belongs to a different vehicle category and may be subject to different construction and type-approval requirements from an ordinary passenger car. Drivers should not assume that the two vehicle types provide identical levels of crash protection.
