Do i need an electric scooter license and where to get them?

City mobile transport with an electric motor seems to be the perfect dream come true - it is environmentally friendly, convenient and completely autonomous. You can move around without paying attention to traffic jams and schedules, and at the same time have a good time. But in practice, the possession of an electric scooter imposes on its owner not only rights, but also obligations. And one of them directly concerns compliance with traffic rules, which, although they do not distinguish this type of transport into a separate category, still apply to any motor vehicles. Do i need an electric scooter license? Where and how can you ride a low-power private vehicle with an environmentally friendly motor? What electric scooters need documents for, what is the threat of their absence?

All these questions are of great interest to outdoor enthusiasts. To answer them, it is worthwhile to study in more detail: how and where the rights to electric scooters with a motor with a power of more than 250 W are issued.

When choosing an electric scooter model, riders now need to pay attention not only to the design of the vehicle or brand awareness. We will also have to take into account both the engine power and the speed characteristics of the purchased device. This is due to the fact that Since 2014, electric scooters with a motor with a power of no more than 250 W continue to be subject to the same rules as for pedestrians. This category includes all children, and most of teenage models, developing a speed of no more than 25 km / h.

It is prohibited to drive any electric scooter with characteristics exceeding 250 W power without a driving license of category M, A1, B. Accordingly, there is no point in choosing a powerful device for a teenager under 16 years old. He simply will not be able to ride the purchased equipment until he is trained in a driving school. Which electric scooters are covered by the law? Any popular version of such equipment with a capacity of 300, 350, 500 watts and more indicated in the passport. There are no exceptions. It is worth considering another point: the developed speed.

Technique, accelerating from 50 to 100 km / h, is equated to light motorcycles, it is also impossible to drive it without a license. But if category M or B is enough for a regular electric scooter, for a high-speed one you will need the A1 mark in your license.

The traffic rules in force in Russia in the edition of 2014 quite clearly define the concept of vehicles that require a driver's license to operate. All motor vehicles with petrol or electric engines with a volume not exceeding 50 m3 and 1,2,3 wheels are classified in category M. This includes today mopeds, segways, hoverboards, electric scooters, for which management since 2014 requires passing a training course, and passing exams in the traffic police.

The power range should also be considered. - for category M for electric vehicles, it is set in the range of 250-4000 W. Such transport is not required to register with the traffic police. If the electric scooter turns out to be more powerful or its speed characteristics exceed 50 km / h, you can drive the vehicle only with the A1 license category corresponding to light motorcycles. The absence of a driver's license or a category in it established by law entails, if an offense is detected by a traffic police inspector:

• the imposition of penalties in the form of a material penalty in the amount of up to 15,000 rubles;
• seizure of a vehicle with a placement in a parking lot.

When driving an electric scooter with a power of more than 250 W on sidewalks and footpaths with the engine on, the driver, even with a driving license, will be fined... The collection will be 500-2000 rubles. For electric scooters moving on public roads, there are requirements for moving only in the extreme right lane, with the permission to change lanes to the left only when turning. Vehicles with a power of less than 250 W are allowed to move only where bicycles and non-motorized vehicles are allowed. Leaving them on the roadway is strictly prohibited.

To obtain a driving license of category M for driving an electric scooter for a future road user will have to undergo training in driving a moped. It is carried out by accredited driving schools and consists of 72-105 hours of theory and 18 hours of practical movement around the landfill, where the conditions are close to the real situation on the road. Without this mandatory stage, it will be impossible to obtain a document today.

No additional effort is required to obtain a Category M driver's license with an A1 or B license. It is counted automatically, with such a document you can ride an electric scooter on the road. If a vehicle is purchased with an engine capacity of more than 50 m3 and a speed of over 50 km / h, it falls under the category of light motorcycles. Category M will not be enough, you will have to go through training again and get a license marked A1.

It will not work to become the owner of a category M driver's license for people registered with the PND or drug addiction clinic. There are also limitations on visual acuity. In any case, it is imperative to receive and submit to the traffic police a certificate from the polyclinic on the state of health in the prescribed form.

You can get the right to drive vehicles with a motor with a power of more than 250 W and speed characteristics up to 50 km / h upon reaching the age of 16. The driver must undergo training at a driving school before leaving for the first time on the streets or roads within the city and suburban roads.

To control equipment with a power of up to 250 W, equivalent to bicycles and non-motorized vehicles, you will not need a license, but the rider himself must be 14 years old to ride on pedestrian and bicycle paths, sidewalks and residential areas alone. Until that time, he should be under the control of his parents.

It means that you will have to obtain the rights in category A1, and it also provides for the possibility of obtaining the rights to operate equipment upon reaching the age of 16.

If you need a license to an electric scooter, see below.