Riding electric motorcycles is hassle-free and you do not have to worry about mileage and gas price. But to legally ride any vehicle on the public road you need a license, is it any different for electric motorcycles?
Do you need a license for electric motorcycle? You will need a license for electric motorcycle to legally ride on public roads. The category/type of license will depend on where you are from ( E.g., United States, UK/Europe) and the power output of that electric motorcycle.
So you know that the license category is different between North America and the United Kingdom/Europe and the procedure for obtaining the license is also different.
Many people have doubts about the requirement for an electric motorcycle license for their particular state in the United States (E.g., New York, California, New Jersey).
In this article, we will resolve all the confusion about the need for an electric motorcycle license and its types.
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Can I Ride An Electric Motorcycle With Car License?
To ride an electric motorcycle with a car license, you will need to get a motorcycle endorsement added to your existing driver’s license and complete a written and practical road test.
In Europe and the United Kingdom can ride a moped up to 50cc without a learner’s plate if you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001.
But you will have to compulsorily complete a CBT test if you have passed your driving license after 1 February 2001.
If you are looking for more powerful electric motorcycles or conventional ones you will have to take a CBT test and according to your age and test results, you will be assigned to a respected license category (A1, A2, or A).
For citizens of the United States, it’s mandatory to have a motorcycle endorsement on your car license to ride an electric motorcycle, so you cannot ride an electric motorcycle with a car license in the United States Of America.
Now getting a motorcycle endorsement or certificate added to your existing car license will let you drive a car and motorcycle legally on public roads.
Can I Ride An Electric Motorcycle Without A License?
Any electric motorcycle which is street-legal and comes with a headlight, turn signal blinkers, and braking system will require a proper license to legally ride on public roads.
Keep in mind that any two-wheeler which has a throttle and is not pedal-assisted will require a license to ride it whether it be an electric scooter, moped, or motorcycle.
Types Of License Needed To For Electric Motorcycle?
Just to clear up your confusion, electric motorcycles do not need a specialized license or exclusive license just for electric two-wheelers.
Any license with an assigned age requirement and category for two-wheelers is enough for you to ride any conventional ( Fuel Injected, Carbureted ) and Electric Motorcycles.
If you want to know everything in detail about license for electric motorcycle, then quickly check out this Quick Ultimate Guide On Electric Motorcycle License.
If you are a United States citizen electric motorcycle licenses are of 3 types. In some states, the license can be acquired under Class M1 or M2 license type, and in other states, you will get it as a motorcycle endorsement.
A motorcycle endorsement just adds to your existing driver’s license allowing you to now ride a motorcycle as well.
You can apply for an electric motorcycle license from any DMV (Department Of Motor Vehicles) office or BMV (Bureau Of Motor Vehicles) office depending upon the state you are living in.
Complete and pass the written and practical road test to get a license.
If you are living in the United Kingdom or Europe you will either get a Category AM, A1, A2, or A license depending upon the age requirement or the graduating license system.
But first, you will have to complete and get a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) certificate, then you will have to pass the road test and written test to finally get an electric motorcycle license.
In European nations, each Category of license has power output restriction and age requirement, so you will be only allowed to ride an electric motorcycle that falls under your license type (E.g., A1, A2, or A).
Is Electric Motorcycle Licenses Different In Each State Of the USA?
In the United States, each state has a little different licensing system for motorcycles but it all falls under these 3 license types.
- Class M1
- Class M2
- Motorcycle Endorsement
So states like California will directly let you have access to Class M1 or M2 license without priorly owning a car driving license.
In other states like Florida, you will first have to get a driver’s license (For Car) then you can add a Motorcycle Endorsement on top of the existing license.
So the major difference here is if you never had a license in a state like California you can directly apply for a Class M1 license which gives you a choice to make that license a motorcycle-only or motorcycle endorsement.
Where in other states like Florida or Texas it is mandatory that you first have to get a driver’s license (car) then you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement.
So the process of applying for an electric motorcycle license or any two-wheeler is slightly different from state to state in the United States Of America.
Is Electric Motorcycle License Different For Every European Nation?
The vast majority of the European nations and the United Kindom have Caterogy A1, A2, & A for any type two wheeler (electric motorcycle, moped, scooter).
You will find that across the European continent, they have similar motorcycle license types and structures, though the written test, practical test & the licensing office might differ a little bit.
For example in the United Kingdom, the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) will give the license to riders.
So to sum it all up the majority of European countries have similar motorcycle license categories.
Conclusion
To ride electric motorcycles on public roads, you will need a motorcycle class license or motorcycle endorsement depending on the state or country you are living in.
