Electric Motorcycle License: A Quick Ultimate Guide

Most people want to buy an electric motorcycle, but a majority of them don’t know anything about the requirements needed to get an electric motorcycle license.

To ride an electric motorcycle you need a class M1, M2, or endorsement-type license in United State. For European nations, you will need A1, A2, or A category license to legally ride an electric motorcycle. You can obtain a license for an electric motorcycle by completing and passing the written and practical tests.

Questions like do you need a license for an electric motorcycle or what type of license do you actually need, confuse a lot of people.

In this article, we will cover everything from license requirements to their types and how to get a motorcycle license to ride an electric motorcycle regardless if you are from the United States Or any European nation.

Do You Need A License For Electric Motorcycles?

You will need a license to ride an electric motorcycle regardless of its type, whether it be a moped, scooter, or electric motorcycle.

Electric motorcycles come in various types and power outputs and countries like England, France, Scotland or any European nation follow a categorized license system that puts motorcycles into a License category/type (ex. A1, A2, A) depending on the motorcycle’s power output.

Whereas in the United States acquiring an electric motorcycle license or any motorcycle license comes down to 3 license types, which are Class M1 and M2 or an endorsement type license.

So if you want to ride an electric motorcycle on the road legally, then will need an electric motorcycle license (which is the same as any motorcycle license).

If you are searching for the Best electric motorcycles under $10,000 or Best electric motorcycles under $5,000 or even better Best street legal electric motorcycles with no budget in mind then please check the each respective linked article.

What License Do You Need For An Electric Motorcycle?

So most people don’t the what of type license they should get for their electric motorcycle. So what license do I need for an electric motorcycle?

If you are from United State you either need Class M1, M2, or motorcycle endorsement license to ride an electric motorcycle and for European citizens, you will need either Category A1, A2, or A license.

The multiple license categories linked directly to power output in the European nations ( E.g., England, Scotland, France, Ireland, etc) can be quite confusing.

And people with existing car licenses from the United States and European nations get confused about what type of license should they go for, or whether they can ride an electric motorcycle with the existing car license.

Types Of Licenses In The United States For Electric Motorcycles?

In the United States, there are 3 types of licenses (Electric Motorcycle License) you can choose from depending on the state you are living in (E.g, California, Texas, Florida).

Now, these three license types with some differences. And depending on what you choose it can limit severely limit you. So the “M” stands for a Motorcycle license. which allows you the ride an electric motorcycle , moped, conventional motorcycle or any two-wheelers.

Note: Some states in the United States don’t have Class M1 or M2 license types, they will let you operate motorcycles once you get a motorcycle endorsement on your existing (car) driver’s license.

1. Class M1: License For Electric Motorcycle & Conventional Motorcycle

The Class M1 license type give you authority to operate any two-wheeled motorcycle (Electric Motorcycles Included) and all motorcycle types like scooters, mopeds, and motorized bicycles listed under the Class M2 license. 

So the Class M1 license type is an unrestricted motorcycle license that allows you to ride any electric motorcycle or conventional motorcycle with no limitation to power output or top speed.

But here’s a kicker, if you live in a state where the class “M” license type is needed to ride a motorcycle, you will get the Class M1 or M2 license as a motorcycle endorsement which just adds onto the existing (car) driver license if you have one. 

So the added motorcycle endorsement license will allow you to legally operate electric motorcycles, conventional motorcycles/mopeds/scooters & cars on public roads.

If you only want to ride electric motorcycles or conventional motorcycles or any type of two-wheelers and never had a license before then you can opt for a Class M1 license or motorcycle-only endorsement.

2. Class M2: License For Electric Mopeds & Conventional Mopeds

The Class M2 license type gives you the authority to operate a motorized bicycle, moped (Electric Moped Included), or any bicycle with an attached motor but no motorcycles.

The Class M2 license type allows you to ride only motorized bicycles or mopeds, which cannot go more than 30 mph, and a motor/engine that produces less than 4 bhp (brake horsepower).

I recommend you go for the Class M1 license type or motorcycle endorsement depending upon the state, because of the limitation in the Class M2 license.

3. Motorcycle Endorsement For Electric Motorcycle License

But if want to operate any two-wheelers and cars legally on public roads, then first you will have to get a (car) driver’s license and then you can get a Class M1 license or motorcycle endorsement on your existing driver’s license depending upon the state you are currently living in (e.g, Florida or Texas).

In some states like the state of California DMV will directly let you apply for a motorcycle license without getting a car driver’s license first.

Can You Ride Electric Motorcycle On My Car License In The United States?

In states like Florida or Texas, you first have to get a (car) driver’s license if you don’t have one then you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement credential on top of that existing license.

The motorcycle endorsement will add to the existing driver’s license which will let you legally ride an electric motorcycle on public roads.

And in other states like California, you will have to take a specific motorcycle training program to get a Class M1 (endorsement) added to your license.

Types Of Licenses In European Nations For Electric Motorcycles?

European nations like England, Scotland, France, and many more follow a similar motorcycle license system. Where the rider’s age and motorcycle’s power out are restricted to a particular category of license type.

In the majority of European nations, you will find motorcycle (electric motorcycle license) license types like Category AM, A1, A2, A.

And each one of these categorized licenses has some limitations and a required age range to be qualified to have a particular motorcycle Category license.

Note: You can directly have an access to Category A2 or A license if you fit the age requirement for each of them.

1. Category A1: License For Electric Motorcycle & Conventional Motorcycle

If you have an A1 license in England or any European nation you are allowed to ride electric motorcycles/motorbikes & conventional motorcycles with an engine size of up to 125cc and power output of up to 11kW ( 14.95 or 15 horsepower).

The age required to obtain the Category A1 license should be 17 years old or more. 

2. Category A2: License For Electric Motorcycle & Conventional Motorcycle

If you have an A2 license you are allowed to ride conventional and electric motorcycles with a power output of up to 35kW (47.5 to 50 horsepower). You can also ride motorcycles in A1 license Category.

The age required to obtain the Category A2 license should be 19 years old or more.

Note: The motorcycle must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.

3. Category A: License For Electric Motorcycle & Conventional Motorcycle

So a Category A license is an unrestricted motorcycle license (full license) that allows you to ride electric motorcycles & conventional ones with a power output more than 35kW (47.5 to 50 horsepower). You can also ride motorcycles under A1 and A2 license types.

The age required to obtain the Category A license should be 24 years old or more.

So basically you can ride high-performance electric motorcycles and liter-class conventional motorcycles too.

4. Category AM: License For Electric Mopeds & Conventional Mopeds

Category AM license will allow you to ride conventional and electric mopeds, scooters which are 2-wheelers or 3-wheelers with a maximum design 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.

Can You Ride Electric Motorcycle On My Car License In UK & European Nations?

You can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates. You do not need to take the full moped test or CBT course if you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001.

But if you have passed your driving license after 1 February 2001, then you will have to take the CBT – Compulsory Basic Training.

To Ride Category A2 or A motorcycles, you have to fit in the age range and have to complete and pass the required written and practical test.

Now let’s discuss the following steps and test you have to take to get an electric motorcycle license.

How To Get Electric Motorcycle License?

To get a motorcycle license which is the same as an electric motorcycle license in the United States or England ( & European Nations), you will have to complete and pass the written and real-world practical riding test. 

So the test names and training courses are different in the USA and the United Kingdom/European nations.

How To Get Electric Motorcycle License In the United States?

To get an electric motorcycle license which is also known as a standard driver’s license in the United States Of America, you will have to go to the state’s DMV ( Department of Motor Vehicles) or BMV ( Bureau of Motor Vehicles) office to apply for a written motorcycle knowledge test and a real word road test.

After completing & passing both the written & practical road test, you will either get a motorcycle endorsement license or a Class M1 endorsement type license depending upon the state you are living in.

Some states like California have a Class M1 license system where you can directly have a motorcycle license permit (learner’s license) for six months if you are under 21 years old then you can get a full driver’s/motorcycle license once you complete the written & road test.

If you are over 21 years of age, then you don’t need a permit you can simply apply for a motorcycle training course and pass the written & road test to get a full driver’s/motorcycle license.

In other states like Florida, you first have to get a (car) driver’s license and you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement credential on top of that existing license.

So this is how you can get an electric motorcycle license in the United States, which is similar to a normal driver’s license but now you can ride all types of motorcycles (electrical & conventional).

It is easier and less restrictive to acquire a motorcycle/driver’s license in the United States compared to UK or Europe.

How To Get Electric Motorcycle License In the United Kingdom & Europe?

To get an electric motorcycle license in the United Kingdom or Europe you first have to complete and get a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) motorcycle program certificate then you would have to complete and pass a written (theory) and practical test. According to your test results and age requirement, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) will give you either a Category AM, A1, A2, or A license.

The UK and Europe have a tiered license system, in which you either have to graduate from the AM or A1 to a full unrestricted Category A license or you will have to meet the age requirement to apply for each of these categorized license types.

Here’s a infographic step-by-step instruction on the multiple ways you could get an electric motorcycle license/conventional motorcycle license too, depending on your age, what motorcycle training you’ve done, and what type of license you already have.

Electric Motorcycle License Common FAQ