European Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Three Wheeler Licencing

Three-wheelers enjoyed considerable tax and licensing advantages in Great Britain - such a vehicle could be driven by a sixteen-year-old with only £4 road fund license.

In the 1930s delivery vehicles like the James, the Stevens and the Raleigh LDV with no reverse gear and a top speed approaching 50 mph, with 45 mpg economy, became very attractive to small business owners.

1956 London Motor Show.

Unfortunately since it had 4 wheels, it was subject to a higher Road Tax in Britain as compared to a 3-wheeled vehicle.

In France, in 1909, (unpowered) delivery tricycles could not be driven by boys under fourteen years of age. Girls and women were totally prohibited. For boys under eighteen, the maximum permissible load was 75kg, including the vehicle.
~ https://triporteurs.wordpress.com/page-4-commercial-delivery-tricycles/