Google Maps and 50cc scooters: why it falls short
By the Rédaction TacTac · Updated 23 July 2026
Plenty of 50cc riders look for a scooter mode on Google Maps and find none: the feature does not exist in Europe. TacTac was built from day one for mopeds capped at 45 km/h, with real filtering of banned roads.
0 two-wheeler mode
on Google Maps in Europe
45 km/h
speed TacTac uses for the ETA
90 km/h
speed Google Maps assumes by default
135 to 750 €
fine on a road banned to 50cc mopeds
What Google Maps does not do for a 50cc scooter
Google's two-wheeler mode does exist, but it stays limited to a handful of countries outside Europe. In the UK and the rest of the EU, a 50cc is treated like a car, with consequences on three specific points.
No scooter mode in Europe
Google offers two-wheeler directions in countries such as India, Brazil or Indonesia, but the option is not available in the UK or anywhere else in Europe. Here, Google Maps works out your 50cc trip as if it were a car.
No filtering of banned roads
Without a moped profile, Google Maps does not know that an expressway or a 110 km/h dual carriageway is closed to you. It suggests the fastest route, motorway included if the car routing finds one.
An ETA worked out at 90 km/h
The travel time shown starts from a car's average speed. At a real 45 km/h, the gap can double on a 20-minute trip.
TacTac against Google Maps, criterion by criterion
Here is the full comparison between the two apps for a 50cc scooter or moped.
| Criterion | Google Maps | TacTac |
|---|---|---|
| 50cc scooter mode in Europe | ✗ | ✓ |
| Filtering of roads banned to 50cc | ✗ | ✓ |
| ETA worked out at 45 km/h | ✗ | ✓ |
| Voice guidance suited to a 50cc | Generic | ✓ |
| Downloadable offline maps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free | Freemium (5 free trips/month) |
| Built specifically for 45 km/h | ✗ | ✓ |
What TacTac does instead
TacTac reuses the same routing engine built for license-free cars, tuned to the same 45 km/h cap.
Roads filtered before the route is shown
Motorways, expressways and roads above 70 km/h are excluded before the route even displays. No checkbox, no setting to switch on.
An arrival time you can trust
The estimate is based on a real average of 40 km/h. The "20 min" shown matches what you will actually ride.
Voice guidance timed to your speed
Turn instructions are announced with the anticipation a 45 km/h ride needs, neither too early nor too late.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Maps have a scooter or motorcycle mode?
Google does offer a two-wheeler mode, but only in countries such as India, Brazil, Indonesia or Egypt. Neither the UK nor the rest of Europe has access to it yet.
Why does my Google Maps trip take longer than shown on a 50cc?
Because the estimate starts from a car's average speed, around 90 km/h. A moped capped at 45 km/h often takes twice the time shown.
Can Google Maps send me onto a road banned to my 50cc?
Yes, that is the main risk. With no dedicated profile, the app looks for the fastest route without knowing moped-specific restrictions, and can point you to an expressway or a dual carriageway closed to 50cc machines.
Does TacTac fully replace Google Maps?
For scooter or moped use, yes: TacTac covers navigation, voice guidance and offline maps. For other uses, such as public transport or restaurant reviews, Google Maps remains useful alongside it.
How much does TacTac cost?
TacTac is free, with 6 trips a month. Premium features (unlimited navigation, full voice guidance) are available as an option.
To go further: the 50cc scooter GPS, or why Waze does not work for a 50cc either.
Ride with a GPS that knows your 50cc
Download TacTac for free and leave the missing Google Maps scooter mode behind. 5 free trips a month, no commitment.
Download on the App Store →