German Simson moped reimport speed regulations

The German federal government has implemented new regulations regarding the reimport of Simson mopeds, allowing them to travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h. This decision aims to align reimported vehicles with the regulations for those originally registered in the former GDR, ending what was described as “unequal treatment.”

To qualify for this status under the Unification Treaty, the mopeds must have been first put into circulation by February 28, 1992. The policy change allows owners to utilize the 60 km/h capability using a standard moped license. This shift is expected to influence the vintage vehicle secondary market, with manufacturers like MZA anticipating increased demand for spare parts such as brakes, tires, and engine components as owners restore vehicles from regions including Vietnam, Australia, and South America.

In a further development, Saxony’s Infrastructure Minister, Regina Kraushaar, issued a decree applying these speed allowances to DDR-manufactured vehicles, including models previously exported to countries like Hungary. Under the new rule, these re-imported vehicles can operate using insurance license plates and the AM driving license class.

Minister Kraushaar described the move as a “first step toward greater equality for moped enthusiasts.” The Saxon cabinet plans to submit a resolution to the Bundesrat on October 16, urging the federal government to advocate at the European level. The goal is to allow technically comparable two- and three-wheeled light vehicles to reach 60 km/h under standard EU type-approval without requiring special individual exemptions.