Is a Driver's License Required for a Light Electric Motorcycle?
2 Answers
Light electric motorcycles require a driver's license. Reasons: According to the new national standard for electric vehicles, light electric motorcycles have a design maximum speed exceeding 50km/h, a total mass exceeding 55kg, and lack pedal riding devices, thus falling under the category of motor vehicles. Regulations: As per the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," such motor vehicles require one of the following licenses to operate: D, E, or F. Light motorcycles also require passing four examination subjects, as follows: Subject 1: Road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge examination, similar to the Subject 1 test for small cars. Subject 2: Pole test, slope parking and starting, and single-plank bridge crossing. Subject 3: There is no unified standard, but comprehensive items include gear shifting, passing through intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, left turns, U-turns, right turns, lane changes, straight-line driving, and pulling over. Subject 4: Safe and civilized driving common sense test, also a theoretical examination.
Do lightweight electric mopeds require a driver's license? It depends on the specific type of vehicle. According to the latest regulations, if your vehicle has a speed below 25 km/h and is lightweight, it is usually classified as an electric bicycle and does not require a license. However, if the speed exceeds 25 km/h or the power is relatively high, it is categorized as an electric motorcycle, and you must have an E or F license to ride it on the road. I've seen many people in the community confused about this rule, leading to traffic stops and fines, which can be quite troublesome. When purchasing, it's advisable to carefully check the parameters on the compliance certificate and not just trust the seller's claim that it's 'easy to ride.' Safety-wise, riding any electric moped can be accident-prone, especially for beginners. It's best to first learn basic driving skills at a driving school to mitigate risks and avoid complications. In case of an accident, insurance might not cover damages if you don’t have a license, leading to higher costs—more trouble than it's worth. In short, compliance is the safest approach.
