Do I need an e-bike license and where can I get them?

A bicycle with an electric motor is convenient and often more practical than a mechanical one. However, in everyday life, it is necessary to take into account not only convenience, but also legal norms. It is helpful to know what legal requirements are for riding an e-bike.

The rapid growth of the length of cities and the congestion of streets with cars and motorcycles make alternative modes of transport relevant. One of them just became an electric bike. Its motor power varies from 0.15 to 1.5 kW. The hybrid is lighter than a moped and almost as fast.

However, it is precisely the high speed, combined with the still quite tangible mass, that such devices fall under the category of motorized transport. And in Russia, for a long time, they paid attention to the legal side of the use of electric bikes. For the first time, this issue was voiced in a government decree of March 22, 2014. A number of criteria for an electric bicycle was also introduced there. These include:

• equipment with an electric motor;
• motor power up to 0.25 kW;
• the developed speed is not more than 25 km / h.

At the same time, everything that is more powerful than 0.25 kW and faster than 25 km / h is already classified as a moped. Accordingly, in this case, the rights to an electric bike are required. There is a special category M. However, in real life, it is quite difficult to draw the line between 0.25 and 0.35-0.5 kW vehicles.

But not everything is as simple as it seems.There are e-bikes with variable power ratings. Their speed, as you might guess, also varies, while it can differ by almost 2 times. And a paradox arises: in some cases, for the same technique, rights are needed, but in others, you can do without them. This issue is not fully regulated in Russian legislation.

Therefore, it all comes down to decisions made on the spot by the traffic police. Theoretically, they can be challenged, but in real life this is either impossible or takes an exorbitant amount of time and effort. Therefore, you need to figure out in advance whether you can ride an electric bike without documents or not. And the most important point is, of course, the very power of the bike. The problem is how exactly the traffic police officers will check and evaluate this indicator.

Traffic rules of the Russian Federation clearly indicate how to ride bicycles, and how - on mopeds. It is the responsibility of cyclists to move along dedicated and equipped paths. But in most domestic cities, there are either no such paths at all, or there are very few of them, and they are located inconveniently and impractically. Outside of large settlements, the situation is even more dire. In theory, riding an e-bike should follow the same rules.

However, everything changes that it can be driven both by an electric motor and by pedaling. And it is unlikely that the inspectors will find proof that one or another method was used at a particular point in time. But at the same time, it is obvious that the traffic police are trying to secure the traffic as much as possible. Therefore, they will assume by default that the motor has been used.

Conclusion: for your own peace of mind, it is better to go through the standard registration of an electric bike and take care of obtaining a license.

The fine for driving without a license is from 5 to 15 thousand rubles. In addition, the vehicle will be seized and returned only upon presentation of a document for the right to drive. Electric moped owners face difficulties due to the lack of enforcement practices and regulatory frameworks at the agency level. Therefore, cyclists need:

• comply with all traffic rules;
• do not enter into conflicts with other road users;
• drive at a relatively low speed;
• choose a calm driving style whenever possible.

In Western European countries, road traffic is limited at a speed of 20 or 30 km / h. The specific meaning depends on the legislation of each state. Therefore, electric bicycles, which can travel at speeds up to 50 km / h, will definitely need a license.

In Ukraine, the legislation is structured differently - not the speed is limited, but only the total capacity. There it is necessary to register the rights to a vehicle with a capacity of 4 kW or more. It is not required to obtain license plates. The electric bike itself does not need registration either. In Russia, registration of electric bicycles is also carried out starting with a power of 4 kW. If the motor of the vehicle is weaker, you will not need to contact the traffic police about this.

As for the legislation in force in Belarus, it does not distinguish electric bicycles in a separate category. However, taking into account the equipment of the vehicle with a motor, the traffic police believe that it should be considered a type of moped. Therefore, such bicycles can only be used by people aged 16 and over who have obtained an AM license.

But Belarusian legislation differs from Russian legislation in that prohibits e-bike riders from using cycle paths. They only need to ride on the carriageway of public roads and nowhere else.And one more requirement, which is important to remember for Russians traveling on an electric bike to Minsk or Orsha - you cannot ride without a buttoned motorcycle helmet.

In all three states, the procedure for obtaining the right to drive an e-bike is the same as for motorists, motorcyclists. This means visiting a driving school, passing exams, obtaining official documents for such a delivery, passing a medical commission.

In Russia, you will have to purchase an OSAGO policy and install license plates on your “steel friend”.

For comparison: in Kazakhstan, an electric bicycle is officially classified as a moped. It is not required to obtain a special license for it, however, driving by people under 16 is not allowed.

In Israel, from January 1, 2019, it is possible to drive an electric bike onto the roadway only if you have a license and after passing a driving test. A relaxation has also been introduced: now such transport can be used not from the age of 16, but from the age of 15.

In England, it is allowed to do this from the age of 14, but only in bicycle helmets; all e-bikes must be registered and tax must be paid.

In the USA, you cannot ride an e-bike faster than 32 km / h; some states have additional restrictions. So, California law requires only people at least 16 years old to travel.

Speed ​​limits differ slightly in different provinces of Canada. Speed ​​limiters should be installed almost everywhere.

In Norway, laws do not differentiate between conventional and electric bicycles. It is easy to see that in the far abroad, almost nowhere special rights are required, and the emphasis is on other ways to improve security.

We hope that this information will help those who decide to drive such a vehicle abroad.

For information on whether you need an e-bike license, see the next video.