[Q.] Is it a violation if a moped under the new standards does not make a two-stage right turn?
[A.] It is treated the same as a 50cc, so it is subject to regulation.
A two-stage right turn is a right turn at an intersection with three or more lanes on each side, or at an intersection with a two-stage right turn sign. You first go straight in the left lane, then change direction after crossing the intersection and go straight again. Previously, this two-stage right turn was only applicable to motorcycles, mainly 50cc and other Class 1 mopeds.
Meanwhile, a new category called “New Standard Mopeds” will be added from April 1, 2025. This refers to motorcycles with an engine displacement of 125cc or less, with a maximum output limit of 4.0kW (5.4PS) or less.
The background to the introduction is the impact of new exhaust gas regulations that will come into effect in November 2025. Compliance with these new regulations will be difficult for conventional motorcycles under 50cc, and production will end at the end of October 2025.
Instead of these 50cc bikes, the new standard mopeds will use 110cc and 125cc bikes that comply with the new exhaust gas regulations, with maximum output limited to 4.0kW (5.4PS). By making their performance equivalent to that of 50cc bikes, they will be subject to the same driving licenses and traffic rules as Class 1 mopeds.
In other words, the laws and traffic rules that apply to new standard mopeds are basically the same as those for 50cc motorcycles. Note that this is different from the existing Class 2 mopeds of 125cc or less, which do not require two-stage right turns.
Furthermore, if you are driving a moped that complies with the new regulations and you do not make a two-stage right turn at an intersection where a two-stage right turn is required, you will be committing two violations: “intersection right/left turn method violation” and “running a traffic light violation.” The penalties for each are as follows:
[Intersection right/left turn violation (for a Class 1 moped)]
– Violation points: 1 point
– Fine: 3,000 yen
[Penalties for running a red light (for a Class 1 moped)]
– Violation points: 2 points
– Fine: 6,000 yen
The question here is, why is it a red light violation? The reason is that when making a two-stage right turn, as mentioned above, you normally go straight in the left-most lane you were originally driving in, pass through the intersection, then turn around and stop in the left-most lane of the lane you want to turn right into. You then need to wait for the traffic light in that lane to change from red to green before proceeding. However, if you make a regular tight turn right turn without making a two-stage right turn, the traffic light beyond where you made the right turn will still be red, so it will also be a red light violation.
If you are arrested for two violations, the more serious violation will be applied. In this case, it will be considered a “traffic red light violation,” and you will be subject to the above two violation points and a fine of 6,000 yen .
Under traffic regulations, even new standard mopeds are required to make a two-stage right turn.
[Q.] Is it a violation to ride two people on a new standard moped?
[A.] One violation point for riding over capacity, fine of 5,000 yen
There are also the following differences regarding two-seater status between new standard mopeds that fall under Class 1 and Class 2 mopeds.
[Class 1 mopeds and new standard mopeds (50cc or less + 125cc or less with maximum output of 4.0kW or less)]
Two-seater: Not permitted
[Motorcycle Class 2 (over 50cc to 125cc)]
Two-seater: allowed
Regarding two-seater riding, Class 2 mopeds are generally OK (if they have legally required two-seater equipment such as tandem steps), but Class 1 mopeds and new standard mopeds are not. In other words, even if the bike has the same engine displacement of 110cc or 125cc, whether it is subject to regulation will differ depending on whether it is a Class 1 moped version or the previous Class 2 moped version.
If you are caught riding two people on a new standard moped, you will be in violation of the riding capacity limit and will be subject to the following penalties.
[Penalties for riding over capacity (for mopeds)]
Penalty points: 1 point
Penalty fee: 5,000 yen
The new standard mopeds do not allow two people to ride on them. Even if they have the same engine displacement of 110cc or 125cc, they are different from the Class 2 mopeds that allow two people to ride on them.
↓Click here for more details
As of now (October 10, 2025), major domestic manufacturers have yet to sell new standard mopeds that are available for purchase by the general public. However, if new models of new standard mopeds are released and actually ridden on public roads, there will be many other differences from Class 2 mopeds, including traffic rules and insurance. For more details on these, please check out the article linked below.
The new 125cc and 110cc mopeds have a maximum speed of 30km/h. The advantages and disadvantages compared to the previous Class 2 mopeds | Motorcycle Laws | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes automotive-related articlesThe introduction of new standards for mopeds is related to the new exhaust gas regulations that will come into effect in November 2025. Conventional mopeds under 50cc will have difficulty meeting the new standards, and production will end at the end of October 2025.
