Is A Licence Required For An Electric Bike?

Innovation signifies growth and progress. It also entails the formation of new laws and regulations to successfully govern the fruits of innovation in a way that ensures benefit to society as a whole, rather than leading it astray. Electric vehicles are the latest in a long line of innovation in the field of automobiles. Among all sorts of EVs, electric bikes are currently a hot commodity. They are experiencing a moment in the limelight, as many would argue that they should. Electric bikes are not only the latest automobile you can lay your hands on but also the result of years of research and innovation. If numbers are to be believed, over 130 million electric bikes are expected to be sold between the years 2020 and 2023, which can lead to the formation of new rules governing various aspects of e-bikes, such as electric bike insurance, registration, and more. If you are planning to buy a new electric bike, you need to know all there is to know about electric vehicle insurance, registration, and maintenance. Are electric bikes governed by the same regulations as fuel vehicles? Where can you get electric bike insurance? Do you need a licence to ply the electric vehicle on the road? A driving licence may form an important aspect of your journey with an e-bike. Let’s take a look at whether you require a licence when riding an electric bike.

Licence for electric bike

Before we answer whether a licence is required to ride an electric two-wheeler, it is necessary to acknowledge that there are a few sub-types of electric two-wheelers in the market today. To answer the question in a simpler way, you do require a licence to ride electric two-wheelers in the country. However, if your e-bike does not exceed 25kmph, you may not require a licence. Besides licences, you must also pay attention to other requirements of electric vehicles, such as, what sort of motor insurance will you need to buy. For any sort of two-wheelers, you will require a Category L licence. Here is a look at which sub-categories of L licences are required for which sort of two-wheelers.

• Category L1:

  This is required if the maximum speed of your motorbike does not exceed 45 kmph, and the engine capacity (for thermic engines) does not exceed 50cc. If the bike is fitted with an electric motor, the motor power should not exceed 0.5 kW. *

• Category L2:

  This is required for motorcycles that are not included in category L1. *

• Category L3:

  This is for a two-wheeler with a thermic engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 cubic cm and speed exceeding 50 kmph. *

Apart from ensuring that you carry a valid driving licence when riding an electric two-wheeler, bike, or any other electric vehicle, it is also important that you possess the right documents with you. For vehicles, this primarily includes their registration documents and their insurance. If you are worried about electric bike insurance costs, you can check for rates with your preferred electric vehicle insurance provider. You can check online two-wheeler insurance premium calculators to get a better idea of what you are being offered for what you seek to pay. * Standard T&C Apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.