Car and scooter manufacturer Peugeot recently took inspiration from both forms of transport to produce a tiny, 2.5m-long, four-seater electric vehicle reminiscent of the bubble cars of the 1960s.
The line that separates lightweight cars and motorcycles continue to blur with the advent of the Aixam Coupe S, a light quadricycle that be driven with an AM moped licence.
Best known for its range of electric cars, Aixam hopes the Coupe S will appeal to sixteen year olds – and their parents – who may consider it safer than a moped.
The two-seater uses a 400cc diesel engine to reach a maximum speed of 28 mph. The coupe may be unable to filter through traffic like a moped, but its fuel economy of almost 80 mpg is far more akin to that of a motorcycle than a conventional car. However, whilst mopeds can be acquired and insured for relatively little money, the Aixam Coupe costs £9,999 and is expected to set back the average 16-year-old around £2,000 a year to insure.
The Aixam Coupe
Teenagers will like:
The alloy wheels, roof, heater and CD player
They will be less keen on:
The £10,000 price tag and high insurance costs
The inability to filter through traffic and park almost anywhere
Small diesel-powered micro cars have long been available in France, where they can be driven by 14 year olds, but they have never rivalled the popularity of the mopeds offered by the likes of Mobylette, Motobecane and Peugeot.
Can I drive the Aixam Coupe?
You will need the AM category on your driving licence. To check whether you have this or not, visit the DVLA website. You will be asked for your driving licence number and your national insurance number. Once you have logged in, the website will show you all the classes of vehicle you are entitle d to drive.
The rise of the micro car
Cars, like people, tend to put on weight as they get older. Compare the Ford Fiesta and VW Polo of today with their younger selves and you will find the difference in size quite remarkable.
Whilst recently-launched small cars such as the Smart, Toyota iQ and Fiat 500 TwinAir have proved popular here in British, elsewhere in the world severe congestion in urban areas and punitive tax regime for larger vehicles has seen the rise of the micro car.
Kei cars
The Kei class of car in Japan is restricted in size, engine displacement and power in order to avoid taxation and the requirement in some areas that a motorist has parking space of their own before they are able to buy a car.
The need for Kei cars has inspired designers and engineers to produce cars that will diminutive in size, retain the performance and refinement of their larger and heavier counterparts. For example, the four-wheel-drive Nissan Carol is a world away from the large and heavy 4×4 SUVs that are currently popular in urban areas. Four-wheel drive may add weight to a car, but it is an undeniable aid to safe driving in slippery conditions and in the case of the 66mpg, 660cc Nissan Carol it is combined with a fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission. The car sells for less than £8,000.
emenot
Where are the pedals?
amanda
very funny, have you not seen a car before, ask a friend nicely to see whats under the steering wheel
Roy James
What licence can you drive Aixam cars on ?
Pam meyrick
Can I drive one of these cars if I dont have a license. I have a mobility scooter which I drive on roads and have done for 2yrs
Richard Ridley
Do u need a driven licence on the aixam
lloyd wright
dear sir. just a querie on the aixam coupe I’ve been told that you can get this car on the motorbility scheme and that I would be able to drive it as I do my three wheeled tryke and I run this on a provisional licence. Can you send me a brochure and any other details I might need. my steering for my tryke is on the handle bars as I’m disabled. will I be able to drive this car an others like the Micro – Kie. but mainly can you send brochoure on all three cars. Can you tell me the nearest place to me to go to.
Yannick Read
Dear Mr Wright
For an answer to your questions, please contact Aixam directly via the contact form at http://www.aixam.co.uk/en/contact-us
Carol Durnin
hi can u drive a electric cars on a provisional licence cause i drive a electric scooter for the past 4 years now have not crashed and do the cars come hand controls cause i cant use my legs plz reply ty
Charlie
Can you drive the aixam 500 at the age of 16 years, can someone please get back to me
Yannick Read
Yes. If you have an AM (Moped) License, then a 16 year old can drive the Aixam lightweight (L6e) cars on British roads. You can get in touch with Aixam directly via http://www.aixam.co.uk/en/contact-us
Jordan
So can you drive these cars at 14 in the uk
Yannick Read
In Britain you need an M (moped) license, which who can’t get until you are 16. In France and other European countries, you can rider a moped at 14.
Yannick Read
No, and you can’t ride a moped in the UK at 14 either.
anthony mcrory
I have just been told by motorability that I drive a axim car on my provisional licence because I have the full am moped on my licence but can you tell can I drive a microcar as well as I have my cbt and drive a bike at the moment my age is over 45 years old I’m all so recovering high motorability from the day many thanks anthony mcrory
brandon
So you can drive a micro car in France at the age of 14
Callum Phillips
Hey, I have a moped and I love it to bits but in the rain its a nightmare and I want to get a car. The Aixam coupe is too expensive for a car that only does 28mph, so I’ve been looking at a aixam 500. My question is can I drive a aixam 500 at 16?
Elaine Webb
I am over 60 and have retired to Cornwall. I do not drive but being reliant on infrequent buses is very frustrating! Can you advise me please what training I should have before purchasing one of your cars? I did have lessons in my thirties and coped well with the manoeuvres and emergency stop but was always nervous on busy roundabouts etc ! I would use the car in the quieter country lanes and generally have access to place that are currently inaccessible for me.
Dan
Hello,
I was wondering–can you drive the aixham cope without a provisional licence ??
Anthony stein
Do u need any type of lisance to drive this car. Is this car like a battery powered scooter that you do not need a licence to drive. I can’t get a license so I was wondering if I would be able to get this car
John smith
Hi my wife has a provisional driving licence. She is having trouble doing the theory test as is Vietnamese. Can she drive on a provisional licence. She has had about 20 car lessons so is a good driver.
Would appreciate your comments pls
Yannick Read
Your wife would need the AM entitlement on her licence. To check whether she has it, log into the DVLA website at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
You will need the driving licence number and your wife’s national insurance number to access the information.
kurt floyd
Hi i have the AM on my provisional license, but i haven’t done a CBT test. can you drive these legally without a CBT?
Stephen Tarrant
Hi I have the a, am, and the b on my provisional licence I am 66 years old what class of axiam cars can I drive with these
Neil
I have a microcar MGO 505CC I HAVE AM
A
B
ON MY PROVISIONAL LICENSE CAN I LEGAL DRIVE A MICROCAR MGO 505CC ON MY AM OR A
B LICENSE ON MY OWN
Neil
I have a provisional driving licence
With AM AND A AND B ON MY LICENSE CAN I DRIVE A MICROCAR MC2 AND A MICROCAR MGO ON MY PROVISIONAL LICENSE ON MY OWN I AM 35 YEARS OLD AND DO MY CBT EVER TWO YEARS BUT MY MC2 WEIGHT IS 368 KILLOS AND MY MGO IS 486 KILLOS CAN I DRIVE THEM LEGALLY ON MY OWN AND TAKE A PASSANGER WITH A FULL LICENSE AND CAN I TAKE A PASSANGER WITH NO LICENSE NEED TO KNOW ASAP
douglas mclellan
dear friend
you said you can drive this car without a driving licence if so could you please send detail on thank you
dmclllan
Sean
Hi my parent has her provisional licence can she drive this car she 28 many thanks
Kyle
Can I drive a axiam 500 or microcar Virgo 2 on a provisional license and a CBT certificate.
Tracey
Hi do you need a licence at all can u drive it without a provisional or do you need a licence with certain catagories on it
DOUGLAS MCLELLAN
CAN YOU DRIVE A AIXAM COUPE S WITH OUT A DRIVING LICENCE IS THERE ANY OTHER ONES YOU GOOD BUYPLEASE LET ME NO
THANK YOU
DOUGLAS MCLELLAN
Cathy
Does anyone know the car dealer that sells these Aixam coupe , I’ve been looking on internet and still no joy HELP!!!
Cathy
Does anyone know the car dealer that sells these Aixam coupe , I’ve been looking on internet and still no joy
Kate Jones
These cars can be bought in stirtchly Birmingham.
The company is based on or near to dogpool lane stirtchly and is located between small houses on main road.
It’s a small holding with the name of the cars above the wooden lockup gates.
Neil
Nancock sell microcar bcos i bought one from there
Teresa vincent
Where can buy one of these cars I am from Exeter Devon.
Donald
The problem I’ve got with aixam car’s. … Is simply trying to find a garage for repairs. I’ve been driving them for years. Only buy one if you can find a garage when it’s in need of repair. And the m.o.t.
Peter
What over car can you drive other then a
Aixam and microcar on a CBT
Michael
It says it’s electric but then it says it has a diesel engine, what is right?
hilary
I dont understand why one needs a licence to drive a car that is advertised as not needing one.
Is it not the whole point, that a car like this for leisurely motoring, is designed for people who, for whatever reason, do not have/ are not able to acquire a regular driving licence. I would appreciate some clarification on this
Ewan Burnett
its a diesel car but in france they have electric versions of the car as they are more popular. as for the licence i passed my motorcycle test in 1997 and was able to drive an aixam legally in fact i have owned 2 in the past drove them for around 10 years. the only thing i struggled with was getting the insurance as they were a new thing back then and you had to get car insurance and my no claims on my gsxr600 didnt count on the aixam its a shame motorcycle companies dont offer insurance. hopfully its a lot easier to do now, i havent driven for a while now so not sure if its any better carry on. the old aixam 500 and the aixam A500 were a solid thing even good in the snow the new ones look a hell of alot better and i would like a newer 1.
Shawn
I have a French micro fan what license can I use to driver on my own in England. I have a French permit
Shawn
I have a French non-permit vehicle and microvan what license or insurance is can I use in England We
beau sawyer
hi there I have AM category on my licence and would like to now which aixams and micro cars I can drive I know they have to be classed as a light quad 350kg in weight but I am finding it difficult to access which model/models fit this light quad criteria, thanks very much I have been looking for weeks now and the info is sketchy
Smith
Hi I live in Northern Ireland and have lost my license after 30 years. do you need a licence to drive an Axiam as advertised if so does anyone know where i can get one in northern ireland. thanks
Helen
Hi I also live in NI and have lost my license. I really need transport. where can i get an one of these here. with no license
Glen
I don’t have a license.
What can I drive legally?
It would be appreciated if someone could give me this information.
Thanks
Mark
Hi I have the am on my provisional license can I carry passengers legally without a full license
Margaret
Can I buy one here in england
lynette bowerman
what can i drive legally with out a license,if i can what can i drive,and can i get one on my mobility scheme thank u
Geoff Wright
Hi I am 74 and do not have a licence could you tell me if there is a car out there that I can drive with out a licence and if so where can I buy one, Also could I purchase one on mobility please