Electric Motorbike, Electric Scooter, Electric Mopeds Guide

Electric mopeds or electric motorbikes (we tend to avoid calling them scooters/electric scooters to avoid confusion with e-scooters), are gaining in popularity. There are various regulations that need to be followed and the whole subject can be rather confusing.  

A quick guide to the different forms of PEVs (Personal Electric Vehicle) is the best place to start.

Electric scooter or e-scooter

Private e-scooters are currently not legal to use on public roads in the UK, they are however available to hire in various towns.

You need a full or provisional driving licence or a licence with category Q (see below) entitlement to hire an e-scooter. 

Electric bike / e-bikes 

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements.

You do not need a licence to ride one, it does not need to be registered, taxed, insured and you do not need an MOT.

An electric bike must have pedals that can be used to propel it.

It cannot travel at more than 15.5mph when powered by the electric motor alone.

The motor can't have an average power rating of more than 250W.

Use can ride electric bikes where you can ride non-electric bikes including cycle paths/cycle ways.

Electric Mopeds (electric scooters) 

Electric mopeds and electric motor bikes fall under the same licence requirements as their petrol equivalents. What licence is required depends on what you want to ride as well as when you obtained your full car licence.

Must have number plate, riders must wear helmet and must be insured and MOTd after three years.