What Electric Vehicles Can Be Driven with an E License?
4 Answers
An E license permits the holder to operate ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles and the vehicles allowed by an F license. The F class license authorizes the holder to drive light motorcycles. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," a light motorcycle is defined as a motorcycle with an engine displacement of 50ml or less and a maximum design speed of 50km/h or less. Additional information is as follows: 1. A1 License: Permits driving large buses and A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 2. A2 License: Permits driving tractors and B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 3. A3 License: Permits driving city buses and C1, C2, C3, C4. 4. B1 License: Permits driving medium-sized buses and C1, C2, C3, C4, M (medium-sized buses refer to those with 19 seats or fewer, such as minibuses and vans). 5. B2 License: Permits driving large trucks and C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 6. C1 License: Permits driving small cars and C2, C3 (small cars refer to passenger vehicles with 9 seats or fewer, such as sedans). 7. C2 License: Permits driving small automatic transmission cars. 8. C3 License: Permits driving low-speed trucks and C4. 9. C4 License: Permits driving three-wheeled cars. 10. C5 License: Permits driving small automatic transmission passenger cars specially designed for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with right lower limb disabilities, lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumbs, or missing finger tips).
After obtaining my Class E driver's license, I have ridden electric motorcycles for many years, including urban commuting e-bikes and high-performance electric models for long-distance travel. According to regulations, a Class E license only permits riding standard two-wheeled motorcycles and their electric versions. However, if an electric vehicle exceeds 50 km/h in speed or has a motor power greater than 4 kW, a Class E license is mandatory. I often ride electric scooters certified under the new national standards, finding them both eco-friendly and fuel-efficient. However, don’t assume all electric vehicles can be ridden—some low-speed e-bikes with speeds below 20 km/h don’t require a license. Before riding, it’s advisable to check the vehicle’s compliance certificate to ensure it meets regulations and avoid fines for illegal modifications, as safety always comes first.
After obtaining my Class E license, I started trying out various electric vehicles and found that it allows me to operate most electric two-wheel motorcycles, as long as the speed meets the requirement of 50 kilometers per hour or above. For daily commuting, the electric street bikes or off-road models I often ride are legal, but different regions may have additional requirements such as registration. When purchasing a new vehicle, make sure it is classified as a standard motorcycle type and not a bicycle category. I also checked the data—if the electric vehicle's motor power is too high, it may be classified as a motorcycle and require a Class E license. Be careful not to confuse it with lightweight electric vehicles that require a Class F license, as the Class E license does not cover those. Otherwise, improper operation could affect insurance claims.
The E driver's license is applicable to electric two-wheeled motorcycles. If the electric vehicle has a design speed exceeding 50 km/h or an equivalent displacement greater than 50cc, an E license is required for operation. This includes common electric scooters and sporty electric motorcycles. When purchasing a vehicle, check the product label to avoid riding over-speed modified vehicles to reduce risks. For safety, regularly inspect the electrical system.
