Driving a 125cc scooter in Gibraltar?

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If you are arranging Gibraltar bike insurance for a 125cc scooter or motorcycle, your licence category matters. Back in the day in Gibraltar, many people started their riding life on a 50cc motorcycle or moped. You passed your test, got your entitlement, and for years that was enough for the kind of bike you were riding around town.

Some drivers also remember being able to ride a 50cc moped under a car licence. So it is easy to understand why, years later, some people still think: “I have always been allowed to ride a small bike, so I must be fine.”

But the bikes on Gibraltar’s roads have changed. Petrol and diesel 50cc mopeds are no longer being imported into Gibraltar in the same way. Following measures announced in the 2022 Budget, regulations were introduced to prohibit the importation of petrol or diesel mopeds with a capacity of 50 cc or less, with limited transitional arrangements in certain cases until 30 June 2023.

As a result, many riders who may once have chosen a 50cc have moved on to 125cc scooters or motorcycles. That is where the confusion sets in. 

A 125cc is not simply “the new 50cc”. From a licensing perspective, it is a different category.

50cc and 125cc are not the same licence category

Gibraltar’s current driving licence categories distinguish between mopeds and motorcycles. An AM category covers two- or three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h. In practical terms, this is the category associated with 50cc mopeds.

An A1 category covers motorcycles up to 125cc, subject to power and power-to-weight limits.

That means someone who is entitled to ride a 50cc moped may not automatically be entitled to ride a 125cc motorcycle. If you have upgraded the bike but not the licence, you may have a problem.

Why your licence matters for 125cc motorcycle insurance in Gibraltar

When you arrange motorcycle or scooter insurance, the insurer needs accurate information. That includes the bike you are riding, the engine size, who will be riding it, and whether the rider holds the correct licence for that vehicle.

If you are riding a 125cc without the right licence category, it could affect your cover. In some cases, it may mean you cannot arrange the insurance you want. In other cases, it could create a serious issue if you need to make a claim.

No one wants to discover that problem after an accident, theft, or damage to the bike. That is why it is worth checking before you buy, ride, or insure a 125cc.

Before arranging 125cc bike insurance in Gibraltar, check these details

Before arranging 125cc bike insurance in Gibraltar, take a moment to check:

  • What categories are shown on your current driving licence?
  • Do you have A1 entitlement for a 125cc motorcycle?
  • Is your bike actually 50cc, 125cc, or another capacity?
  • Does the bike’s logbook match the information you are giving your insurer?
  • Have you completed the correct training or test for the bike you want to ride?
  • Have you told your insurer the correct details about the bike and rider?

If you are unsure about your licence entitlement, check with the relevant licensing authority. If you are unsure what your insurer will need, speak to Masbro before you buy.

Masbro bike insurance: helping you avoid problems later

At Masbro, the goal is not just to help you find insurance. Masbro bike insurance is about helping you arrange the right cover with the right information from the start.

If you are planning to buy a 125cc scooter or motorcycle, or if you have already moved from a 50cc to a 125cc, it is worth checking that your licence and insurance match the bike you are riding.

Back in the day, a 50cc may have been enough. Today, if you are riding a 125cc, make sure your licence is up to date.

Speak to us about bike insurance and make sure you are starting from the right place. Email us at motor@masbro.gi, call us on +350 200 76434 or drop in to see us between 9-5pm Monday to Friday at Suite 1A, Tisa House, 143 Main Street, Gibraltar 

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