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Most people are straight at the motor registry on their 17th birthday (18th if you’re from Victoria), armed with 120 hours and ready for their newfound freedom.
Despite this, many still believe that the driving age is too young in Australia, while others argue that no matter the age, new drivers will always be the highest risk. But there are some countries that allow even younger people on the road.
If you think back to when you were 14 years old, could you imagine driving a car unaccompanied? If you move to this country, then you might not have to imagine.
The youngest driving age in the world
Some states in the United States will allow 14-year-olds to drive with parental supervision (much like a learner's permit), and will also allow motorists to obtain a restricted licence (like a provisional licence) at just 15 years old.
But France takes it one step further for the youngest driving age, allowing 14-year-olds to hit the road in something that resembles a car with no licence.
In many parts of Europe, they have what is called a 'quadricycle', and perhaps the most popular example in recent years is the Citroën Ami.
Much like Kei cars of Japan, quadricycles have restrictions on their size, power and top speed – unlike Kei cars, they are much smaller and slower, aimed at being urban travelling equipment.
These mini machines are categorised into two types: L6e for light vehicles and L7e for 'heavy' vehicles.
The popular Citroën Ami falls into the L6e category, which means that the vehicle must have an engine of 50cc (0.05L) or less, 6kW of power for both EV and ICE versions, not have a top speed over 45km/h and not exceed 425kg of unladen mass.
L7e, which are more popular for small commercial vehicles, are a little heavier with a limit of 450kg for passenger vehicles and 600kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods, not including the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles. This class is allowed to have a power rating of up to 15kW and a top speed of 90km/h.
This is where the French come in, under a special permitting scheme called Voiture Sans Permis, which translates to 'vehicle without a licence'. People can drive one of those L6e cars without ever sitting a physical driving test.
Instead, people as young as 14 will sit an AM Road Safety Certificate, similar to the written learner test in Australia, and they’re free to hit the streets in a quadricycle or moped.
Obviously, these cars are not allowed on freeways or anywhere that requires them to push their speed limiter of 45km/h, but they do work well for elderly drivers living in the countryside as well as younger people living in the city.
This is because no training will need to be undertaken if you are born after 1988; you quite literally walk in and pick up your permit.
The idea was to create a safer alternative to mopeds, which kids aged 14 and older are allowed to ride without supervision or a licence in some European countries, while cutting down on emissions and space used on the road.
It also prepares young people for the driving test once they turn 17 years old.
There’s another kicker too, people who have been disqualified from driving can also technically get around in one of these, giving them another chance to have a mode of transport despite a lack of a licence.
Connexion, a newspaper in France, spoke with a spokesperson from Aixam, a quadricycle supplier, who said that there is a growing interest from young people in these micromachines.
“Ten years ago, two-thirds of customers were elderly people living in the countryside. We now have working people and especially young people who are an emerging clientele.
“Not everyone takes a test, but there comes a time when people see they need a car to go where they want. People who have had their licence withdrawn after committing an offence represent 5 per cent of our customers. For people who have lost their licence and especially drink-drivers, there are more conditions, and they have to follow a class.”
These little cars are often quite affordable, too. French manufacturer Aixam starts its range around €10,800 ($AUD19,300), while the Citroën Ami starts at around €7790 ($AUD13,955). However, we found some used ICE examples on a French classified site for as little as €1000 ($AUD1790).
While they are a super-cool option, is there any chance of seeing these in Australia?
Will Australia ever get quadricycles?
Because we don’t have a quadricycle vehicle category in Australia, these tiny vehicles would need to be classified as a full-sized car.
Apart from registration being through the roof, the roof with only some states taking vehicle engine size into account, the Australian Design Rules surrounding vehicles will likely kill the possibility.
Issues regarding safety, size and top speed would not permit anything in the quadricycle to be sold Down Under.
Plus, with young drivers being overrepresented in the rising road toll, it's unlikely we will ever see the driving age dropped to something as low as 14 years old.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
