[Q.] What is the legal speed limit for new standard mopeds?
[A.] 30km/h, the same as a 50cc bike
To begin with, the new standard mopeds refer to motorcycles with an engine displacement of 125cc or less, with a maximum output limited to 4.0kW (5.4PS). The background to their introduction is that the new exhaust gas regulations that will come into effect in November 2025 will be difficult for conventional motorcycles of 50cc or less to comply with, and production will end at the end of October 2025.
Therefore, they used 110cc and 125cc bikes that comply with the new exhaust gas regulations, and as mentioned above, limited the maximum output to 4.0kW (5.4PS) or less. By making the performance equivalent to that of a 50cc bike, the license requirements and traffic rules for driving can be the same as for a Class 1 moped.
In other words, even for the same 110cc or 125cc bike, there are Class 1 moped versions with maximum output limited to 4kW (5.4PS) or less, and conventional Class 2 moped versions.
Regarding legal speed limits, there are the following differences:
[Class 1 moped & new standard moped (50cc or less + 125cc or less with maximum output of 4.0kW or less)]
Legal speed: 30km/h
[Moped Class 2 (over 50cc to 125cc)]
Legal speed limit: 60km/h
In particular, on public roads with no speed limits, Class 2 mopeds are allowed up to a legal speed of 60 km/h, while Class 1 mopeds and new standard mopeds are limited to 30 km/h. Even with the same engine displacement, such as 110cc or 125cc, there are differences in the speeds they can go on public roads.
Even for the same 110cc or 125cc bike, the legal speed limit is different between the new standard moped and the Class 2 moped.
[Q.] What kind of license is required to drive a new standard moped?
[A.] You can drive with a moped license
As mentioned above, new standard mopeds will be treated the same as Class 1 mopeds. Therefore, even if you have the same 110cc or 125cc motorcycle, whether it is a Class 1 moped or a Class 2 moped, the license you can drive will differ as follows.
[Class 1 moped and new standard moped (50cc or less + 125cc or less with maximum output of 4.0kW or less)]
・Driving licenses: Moped license or higher, motorcycle license, regular car license
[Moped Class 2 (over 50cc to 125cc)]
・Driving license: Small-sized limited regular motorcycle license (including AT small-sized limited motorcycle license) or higher
Class 1 mopeds, including those that comply with the new regulations, can be driven with a moped license, which can be obtained by simply passing an aptitude test and a written test. The new regulations also apply to regular four-wheeled vehicle licenses and motorcycle licenses, which are higher than moped licenses.
On the other hand, for a Class 2 moped, you need a small-sized regular motorcycle license, an automatic small-sized regular motorcycle license, or a higher-level motorcycle license, which also requires passing a practical test. In other words, because passing a practical test is mandatory, the hurdle to obtaining a Class 2 moped license is higher.
Class 1 mopeds, including those that meet the new standards, can be driven with a moped license that can be obtained by simply passing an aptitude test and a written test.
↓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.
