The process of obtaining an electric motorcycle license is pretty straightforward but how to get electric motorcycle license and its type causes a lot of confusion. And in particular countries, they have multiple license type which allows you to ride a motorcycle up to certain power output.
But here’s a quick answer on how to get an electric motorcycle? To get an electric motorcycle license you will have to complete and pass a written & practical road test and depending on your experience level you will have to take a rider training course authorized by the country or state you live in.
In this article, we will discuss how to get an electric motorcycle license easily and what type of license you should get, and the process of obtaining an electric motorcycle license in the United States of America and the United Kingdom/Europe.
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What Kind Of License Do I Need For An Electric Motorcycle?
So there are different types of motorcycle licenses you can get for your electric motorcycle depending on the country or state you are currently residing in.
If you want to know everything about electric motorcycle licenses in detail and have questions regarding riding a motorcycle on a car license and much more, then please check out the article on Electric Motorcycle License: A Quick Ultimate Guide.
But if you are from the United State Of America you are authorized to have and need a Class M1, M2 or Motorcycle Endorsement License to legally ride an electric motorcycle or conventional motorcycle on public roads.
Depending on the state you are living in (E.g, California, Texas, Florida) the State’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) office will either let you get a motorcycle license directly or you will have to get a car license first then a Motorcycle Endorsement will get added onto the existing license which will allow you to ride motorcycles legally on public roads & highways/expressways.
For European nations like England, France, Scotland, or any European nation for that matter follow a categorized license system that puts motorcycles into a given license category/type depending on their power output.
But a majority of the time you will either need Category AM, A1, A2, & A licenses in European nations for electric motorcycles & conventional ones cause they follow the same licensing system.
Keep in mind that an electric motorcycle license in Europe (e.g. the United Kingdom) can be obtained depending upon the motorcycle’s power output and rider’s age requirement for a particular category of license (e.g. Category AM, A1, A2, & A).
Now we will know exactly how to get motorcycle license if you are a citizen of the United States or any European Nation.
How To Get Electric Motorcycle License In the United States?
In the United States Of America, you will find three types of licenses Class M1, M2, and Motorcycle Endorsement.
In some states like Texas, you will first have to get a car license then you can add on a Motorcycle Endorsement on top of that license which will allow you to drive a car and ride a motorcycle as well.
Other States like California will let you directly have access to a Motorcycle Only license or Motorcycle Endorsement in the form of a Class M1 or M2 license.
This means you can directly get a motorcycle license without previously having a car license.
So to get a motorcycle license in the United States you will have to go to the state’s BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) or DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to apply for a written motorcycle knowledge test and a real word road test/course.
If you are under 18 years of age you will get a learner’s permit for at least 6 months then you can apply for a full license.
After passing the written and road test you will get a Class M1 license if you wish to ride all kinds of motorcycles with no restrictions to power output.
If you want a Class M2 license, you will be only allowed to ride mopeds (electric & conventional) that cannot go more than 30 mph and produces less than 4 bhp (brake horsepower).
It’s that straightforward to get an electric motorcycle license in the United States of America and there are no multiple motorcycle license classes with power output restrictions.
How To Get Electric Motorcycle License In Europe?
European countries like England, France, Scotland, and many more follow the same motorcycle licensing system where the license categories have restricted power output and age requirements even if you are above 18 years of age.
You will find Category AM, A1, A2, & A license types across the vast majority of European nations and to get an electric motorcycle license you will have to pass a theory and practical test with a valid CBT certificate from the local Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
So let’s get into the details of how to get an electric motorcycle license and the requirements needed for each category of license type in the United Kingdom/Europe.
Note: Keep in mind that to ride any kind of motorcycle in the United Kingdom/Europe whether it be an electric motorcycle or conventional you will have to complete a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course first.
Category AM: Electric Moped License
You can drive 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled electric mopeds with a top speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph).
The age required to obtain the Category AM license should be 16 years old or more with a valid CBT certificate and should successfully pass a theory and practical test.
Category A1: Electric Motorcycle License
If you have a Category A1 license can drive light electric motorbikes/motorcycles with:
- A power output of up to 11kW
- An engine size up to 125cc
This category also includes motor tricycles with power output up to 15kW.
The age required to obtain the Category A1 license should be 17 years old or more with a valid CBT certificate and should successfully pass a theory and practical test.
Category A2: Electric Motorcycle License
If you have a Category A2 license can drive electric motorcycles/motorbikes with a:
- Power output up to 35kW (47.5-50 horsepower).
The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.
You can also drive motorbikes in category A1.
The age required to obtain the Category A2 license should be 19 years old or more with a valid CBT certificate and should successfully pass a theory and practical test.
Category A: Electric Motorcycle License
If you have a Category A license can drive, which is an unrestricted motorcycle license (full license) that allows:
- Motorcycles with a power output more than 35kW (47.5-50 horsepower).
- Motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW (20 horsepower)
You can also drive motorcycles in categories A1 and A2.
The age required to obtain the Category A license should be 24 years old or more with a valid CBT certificate and should successfully pass a theory and practical test.
Here’s an infographic with step-by-step instructions to get each Category of license in the United Kingdom or any other European nation cause they all follow the same licensing system.
Conclusion
To get an electric motorcycle license you will first have to complete and pass a written and practical test and according to your age, a motorcycle license and its type will be registered under your name.
