Do Electric Vehicles Require a Driver's License?

[VanStephen]

Electric vehicles require a driver's license. Electric vehicles are also motor vehicles, and driving any motor vehicle requires a driver's license. Motor vehicles require a license to operate on the road: As long as you are driving a motor vehicle, you need a license to operate it on the road, regardless of whether the car is new energy or fuel-powered. According to Article 19, Section 2 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," driving a motor vehicle requires legally obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. The permitted vehicle type must match: The motor vehicle must match the permitted vehicle type specified on the driver's license. There are various types of driver's license certifications, each corresponding to different types of motor vehicles. For example, most people hold an E license, which corresponds to two-wheeled motorcycles. If someone uses an E license to drive a car, it is considered unlicensed driving. Cars generally require a C1/C2 certification category, with the main difference being between manual and automatic transmissions.

[LeAutumn]

This is indeed a topic worth discussing. Electric vehicles fall under the category of motor vehicles. Any four-wheeled electric vehicle that can drive on motor vehicle roads, whether it's a NIO, Tesla, or Wuling Hongguang MINI EV, requires a driver's license to operate legally. When I was getting my driver's license, I did study the operational regulations for electric vehicles, as traffic laws clearly stipulate the qualification requirements for drivers. Specifically, common small household electric vehicles usually require a C1 or C2 license, while larger vehicles like electric buses require a higher-grade A license. Some elderly mobility scooters may resemble electric vehicles but are classified as non-motor vehicles and don't require a license, though their road usage is more restricted. Most importantly, driving an electric vehicle without a license can result in vehicle impoundment and fines if caught, and insurance may refuse to cover accidents, making it truly not worth the risk.

[EthanRose]

Over the years of driving electric vehicles, the most frequently asked question has been about driver's licenses. In fact, as long as it's a properly licensed electric car, whether it's a BYD Han or an XPeng P7, a corresponding driver's license is mandatory. If you drive a Wuling MINI on the road, the first thing traffic police will check is your driver's license, not the charging station receipt. The type of license required mainly depends on the vehicle's specifications: a regular household car requires a Class C license, while commercial electric vehicles over 6 meters may need a Class B license. Of course, special models like elderly mobility scooters are exceptions, but they are often restricted from entering many urban areas. Once, a 4S shop technician mentioned they encountered several customers who drove unlicensed electric vehicles for registration, only to make a wasted trip. So, it's highly recommended to confirm license and registration requirements before purchasing to avoid wasting money.

[Luca]

Driving electric vehicles on the road is fully compliant with the regulations for traditional cars. I have reviewed the Road Traffic Safety Law, which explicitly includes new energy vehicles under motor vehicle management. Whether pure electric or hybrid models, as long as they are four-wheeled vehicles with a designed speed exceeding 25 km/h, a valid driver's license is required for operation. Models like the Tesla Model 3 require a C2 or higher license, while micro vehicles like the Baojun E100 also mandate licensed driving. Driving without a license not only results in vehicle impoundment and fines but also full liability in case of accidents. This is why some residential property managements check copies of electric vehicle owners' driver's licenses.