Do electric scooters require a driver's license?
2 Answers
Yes. Here are the relevant details: Vehicle registration and driver's license: Electric vehicles driven on public roads fall under the category of motor vehicles. The Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that motor vehicles without proper licensing are not permitted on roads. All motor vehicles operating on roads, including various types of cars, motorcycles, and engineering machinery vehicles, must be registered before they can be driven. Electric vehicles must have a certificate of conformity allowing license plate registration to obtain legal road-use status. Temporary passage: According to Article 8 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, the state implements a registration system for motor vehicles. Motor vehicles can only be driven on roads after being registered with the traffic management department of the public security authority. For motor vehicles that have not yet been registered but require temporary road use, temporary passage permits must be obtained.
When I bought an electric scooter, I was particularly curious about whether a driver's license was required. It turns out it all depends on the type and speed of the scooter. For example, if an electric bicycle doesn't exceed 25 kilometers per hour, a license is generally not needed. But for higher-powered models, like electric motorcycles, a motorcycle license might be required. Regulations vary by location—I ride mine in the neighborhood, and my neighbor mentioned that many cities are quite lenient, but highways are definitely off-limits. For safety, I recommend that beginners at least learn traffic rules, wear a helmet, and not just focus on speed. If an accident happens, the responsibility still falls on you. It's incredibly convenient for short commutes—no parking space needed, saving time and effort—but the rules should never be ignored.