License-free car for the family: a guide for parents and children
School runs, shopping, activities, a license-free car can fit into family life. Here is what you need to know about the rules, the models and safety on board.
License-free car for the family: the essential rules
License-free cars (light quadricycles) are subject to strict rules on the number of occupants and the safety equipment.
2 seats maximum
European rules limit light quadricycles to 1 driver + 1 passenger. No exemption is possible, whatever the size of the vehicle.
Children on board: allowed
A child may take the passenger seat, provided they are correctly buckled up. The seat belt is mandatory for every occupant.
Approved child seat
For young children, an approved car seat compatible with the license-free car is mandatory. Check compatibility before buying, not every model accepts every seat.
Seat belt mandatory
Every occupant of a license-free car must wear a seat belt. It is a legal obligation, not a recommendation.
Which license-free car to choose for your family situation?
Three common profiles, three different approaches.
Single parent with one child
suitableThe ideal setup: driver + child in the passenger seat. The 2-seat limit poses no problem at all.
Models: Citroën Ami, Fiat Topolino, Microlino
Compact models, easy to park, low cost. The Ami and the Topolino are electric, zero emissions for school runs in town.
Family with 2 adults + children
needs planningThe 2-seat limit means you have to organise your trips accordingly. A license-free car can cover daily journeys if the parents take turns.
Models: Ligier JS60, Aixam City, Microcar M.Go
Go for a model with the largest possible cabin (Ligier JS60, generous width) for the comfort of a child passenger. For trips with several people, you will need to make two runs or use a second vehicle.
Mixed use: solo and with a child
versatileThe license-free car as your main vehicle for short trips, alone or with a child. Use that adapts across the week.
Models: Aixam Crossover, Ligier JS60 L
A versatile model with a good level of comfort remains the best choice for variable daily use.
Child safety in a license-free car
The license-free car is often wrongly seen as a fragile vehicle. In fact, it offers significantly better protection than a scooter or a bicycle for daily trips with a child.
Enclosed bodywork
Unlike a scooter, the license-free car shields its occupants from the weather, from spray and from side impacts. The child is safe in a closed cabin.
Seat belts
Every modern license-free car model is fitted with 2 or 3 point belts. They are approved and compatible with certified car seats.
45 km/h maximum
The speed capped at 45 km/h mechanically reduces the severity of accidents. At that speed, the kinetic energy is 4 to 6 times lower than a regular car at 90 km/h.
LEZ friendly
Electric license-free cars drive freely in low emission zones. No restriction for school runs in the city centre.
To learn more about suitable roads and safe areas, see our guide license-free car safety and banned roads →
License-free car for teenagers from age 14
The license-free car is available from age 14 with the AM licence. For many families, it is the teenager's first independent vehicle, safer than a scooter, handier than a bicycle, without the constraints of the B licence.
The AM licence is obtained with at least 7 hours of training at an approved driving school. It allows you to drive every light quadricycle, including license-free cars.
Full guide: license-free car at 14 and the AM licence →Cross-generation mobility: grandparents and grandchildren
The license-free car is also a tool for family connection for seniors. Taking a grandchild to the doctor, to school or on an outing, daily trips that keep grandparents independent without relying on the working family.
Recent models such as the Aixam Crossover or the Ligier JS60 offer easy access, comfortable seats and simple automatic driving, ideal for seniors who want to stay behind the wheel as long as possible.
License-free car for seniors: mobility and independence →Safe family navigation with TacTac
School runs, weekend shopping, after-school activities, with a child on board, the last thing you need is to end up on an unsuitable expressway. TacTac automatically filters the roads banned for license-free cars and guides you only on routes open at 45 km/h.
Zero motorway
TacTac refuses routes that include motorways and expressways. Even during an emergency recalculation.
Realistic travel time
ETA worked out at 45 km/h, not the unrealistic times of Google Maps based on 90+ km/h.
Realistic ETA
Travel time worked out at 45 km/h. No surprise on arrival, you plan with peace of mind.
Voice guidance
Clear, audible instructions. Both hands on the wheel, attention on the road.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a child in a license-free car?
Yes, provided the license-free car has a passenger seat (most models have 2 seats). The child must be buckled in with the seat belt. For young children, an approved car seat compatible with the vehicle's 2 or 3 point belt is mandatory.
Can you fit a baby seat in a license-free car?
It depends on the license-free car model. The 2-seat models with a standard passenger seat (3 point belt) accept approved car seats in group 0+/1. Check compatibility with the car seat maker before buying. Some models like the Ligier JS60 offer more space.
How many seats does a license-free car have?
European rules limit light quadricycles to 2 seats maximum (driver + 1 passenger). There is no 4 or 5 seat license-free car. For a family with several children, you will either make several trips or pick a different vehicle (a regular car with the B licence).
Do you need a special licence to drive a license-free car with a child on board?
No. The licence required is the same as for driving alone: the AM licence (formerly the BSR) for people born after 1 January 1988, or no licence for people born before. A child on board does not require any extra licence.
Explore other license-free car guides
License-free car guidance for the whole family
TacTac works out safe routes for your license-free car, zero motorway, realistic ETA, suitable voice guidance. Join the early access list.
Early access →