Bob
4th July 2004, 23:44
Mariolina Moioli dreams of bringing civilisation to Italy's chaotic streets with the introduction of a ‘mini-licence’ for under-18s who want to ride a scooter.
That means the end of an era for carefree 14-year-olds who for generations have been allowed to drive a scooter without so much as a permit or a driving lesson. Currently anybody is allowed to drive a scooter with an engine of 50 cc from the age of 14 without a licence.
"We're not going to save the world, but it's something," said Moioli.
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers now face the prospect of having to park their beloved Vespas from July 1 or pay a fine of more than 500 euros if they are caught without the mini-licence.
Scooter maker Piaggio, worried about the impact on sales, has offered to pay the fees at private driving schools for clients under 18 who buy a new scooter during the summer months when schools are closed. Piaggio said 14- to 17-year-olds were expected to buy around 35,000 50 cc scooters from May to July and already around 4,000 had registered to take advantage of the offer of free lessons.
That means the end of an era for carefree 14-year-olds who for generations have been allowed to drive a scooter without so much as a permit or a driving lesson. Currently anybody is allowed to drive a scooter with an engine of 50 cc from the age of 14 without a licence.
"We're not going to save the world, but it's something," said Moioli.
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers now face the prospect of having to park their beloved Vespas from July 1 or pay a fine of more than 500 euros if they are caught without the mini-licence.
Scooter maker Piaggio, worried about the impact on sales, has offered to pay the fees at private driving schools for clients under 18 who buy a new scooter during the summer months when schools are closed. Piaggio said 14- to 17-year-olds were expected to buy around 35,000 50 cc scooters from May to July and already around 4,000 had registered to take advantage of the offer of free lessons.