Here's some bad news for anyone that owns a 50cc scooter or is planning on buying one (this doesn't affect electric scooters) - the local traffic bureau of Nanjing is planning on cutting down the amount of scooter-related accidents by reclassifying them from 'moped' to 'light motorcycle'.

Under the current rules, a scooter whose speed is limited to 50kmh (31mph) and has an engine capacity of 50cc or under does not require a driving license to operate but does require green 'moped' license plates. However, many people do not register their bikes as the license plate can be more expensive than a decent used moped, and the penalty if caught is a mere 200RMB + 30 days confiscation.

However, as of sometime this year (exact date unknown), 50cc bikes will be reclassified as 'light motorcycles' - this means that you will require a Chinese driving license to operate the bike and you'll also need yellow light motorcycle license plates - and the penalties for riding unlicensed will be much harsher. I also think that after the new rules come into play there will be a lot more police checks as well.

Anyone that is thinking of buying a scooter but doesn't have a Chinese license or can't afford to get the vehicle registered should consider an alternative such as an electric scooter.

Anyone who already has a scooter will face bigger problems - they'll be much harder to sell on, and unless you know Nanjing's back alleyways pretty well then there will be some harsh penalties in store for you if you get caught unlicensed. In Suzhou, where these rules were introduced last year, the number of 50cc scooters on the road is almost none as most people will favour more powerful 125cc bikes or electric scooters which do not require licensing. Your best bet is to try and sell your bike in a nearby city which has not been affected by these rules - as far as I know Zhenjiang and Yangzhou still allow mopeds, but they've been reclassified in Wuxi and Suzhou.

If you want to keep riding then I think a lot of fake plates will be available - make sure that they are yellow and start with '苏A' as this is the area code for Nanjing. Also, foreigners should wear a full-faced crash helmet as a foreigner on a motorbike is almost certainly unlicensed and you should try and look inconspicuous. Finally, avoid major intersections such as Zhongshan Lu/Hanzhong Lu or the Gulou traffic circle as these are where most checks take place.