What licence do I need for an electric motorbike in the UK?

To ride an electric motorbike in the UK, you need the same licence as you would if your motorbike had a petrol engine. The licence you need depends on several factors, such as age, previous experience, and the maximum power output of your electric motorbike.

In this article, we’ll examine the different types of motorcycle licences available in the UK and how they apply to you if you wish to ride an electric motorbike. We’ll also discuss whether obtaining a licence for an electric motorbike cost more and if you can use your existing licence to ride an electric one.

Electric motorbikes do not require a special licence to ride. A UK motorcycle licence allows you to ride electric or petrol powered machines (sometimes referred to as an internal combustion engine or ICE).

However, UK motorcycle licences have restrictions depending on the engine’s power output. Because electric motorbike power is measured in kW (kilowatts), most manufacturers and dealers will tell you what this is to help determine the appropriate licence you need for your chosen motorbike.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (or DVSA for short) has guidance on what licence you need based on your age and electric motorbike’s power:

• AM Mopeds allows you to ride electric mopeds up to 4kW if you’re 16 years or older
• A1 Light motorcycle licence allows you to ride electric scooters or motorbikes up to 11kW if you’re 17 years or older
• A2 motorcycle licence allows you to ride electric motorbikes up to 35kW if you’re 19 years or older
• A licence allows you to ride an electric motorbike of any size if you’re 24 years or older
• • You can obtain an A licence when you’re 21-23 years old if you’ve already held an A2 licence for two years. Otherwise, you must wait until you’re 24 before trying to get an A licence.

One key thing to remember is that you always need a valid Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate to obtain any type of motorcycle licence. The two exceptions are:

• If you gained your full car driving licence before the 1st of February 2001
• If you’re 24 years or older and have held a full A2 or A1 licence

Even though an electric motorbike doesn’t have an internal combustion engine, all the DVSA licensing rules for riding a motorcycle still apply. That means you need to obtain a CBT certificate, pass the theory and practical tests, and follow the restrictions of each licence category. A CBT certificate is valid for two years from the date it was issued.

The only time you can ride an electric motorbike without a valid CBT certificate is if you earned a full car licence before the 1st of February 2001. If this applies to you, you can ride a moped up to 4kW in power without needing a valid CBT certificate.

You need to know your electric motorbike’s power output to determine which licence you need to ride it legally. Here’s a quick overview:

If you’re aged…	…and your motorbike’s power (in kW) is:	You need this licence
16 years or older	4kW or less	AM Mopeds
17 years or older	11kW or less	A1 Light Motorcycle
19 years or older	35kW or less	A2 Motorcycle
Between 21-23 years old, with a full A2 licence held for more than two years	Any	Category A Motorcycle
24 years or older	Any	Category A Motorcycle

You can use a restrictor kit on an electric motorbike if you have an A2 licence and are working towards a full motorcycle licence. Your dealer can help you with the installation, as there are various kits that only work with specific models.

Restrictor kits allow A2 licence holders to ride motorcycles of unlimited power (petrol or electric) by restricting their peak power to 35kW. Once you get your full motorcycle licence, you can return to the dealership to get the restrictor kit removed. You’ll have to prove you’re legally allowed to ride it without the restrictor (i.e. have a full motorcycle licence) before they can remove the kit for you.

You need a motorcycle licence to ride an electric motorbike and the bike’s power output determines which licence you need. You can ride an electric one if you already have an existing motorcycle licence.

If you don’t have a motorcycle licence yet, here’s how you can start the process:

• Obtain a car driving licence
• • A provisional car driving licence with motorcycle entitlement and a valid CBT certificate allows you to ride a moped up to 4kW with L-plates.
• • A full car driving licence comes with provisional motorcycle entitlement, so it allows you to do one of the following (as long as you have a valid CBT):
• • • Ride any motorcycle up to 11kW with L-plate
• • • Take the A2 or Category A theory and practical tests
• Obtain a valid CBT certificate.
• Take the necessary motorcycle riding courses
• Pass the theory test required for your licence category.
• Pass the two-part practical test on a motorcycle (electric, if you prefer) that meets the requirements of your licence category.

The DVSA has published a flowchart highlighting the steps you need to obtain a motorcycle licence.

No, a motorcycle licence costs what it does regardless of whether you intend to ride an ICE or electric motorbike. DVSA doesn’t differentiate between the two engine types because each class of motorcycle is based on continuous power output.

However, it’s important to know that there are several costs involved when obtaining a motorcycle licence:

• £34 for a provisional car driving licence if applying online; £43 if applying by post
• Around £150 for a CBT course. The training school sets its own price, so you may find cheaper or more expensive courses.
• £23 for taking the motorcycle theory test
• £15.50 to take the off-road motorcycle riding test
• £75 to take the on-road riding test on weekdays; £88.50 if taking the test on weekends or bank holidays

Motorcycle riding lessons can also add hundreds more to your costs, depending on the intensity of the lesson. You may also need to buy your own set of riding equipment and accessories, especially if your chosen training school doesn’t provide a set with their CBT course.

In the UK, riding an electric motorbike requires a motorcycle licence. The DVSA doesn’t provide separate licences for traditional (ICE) and electric engines, so one is suitable for both types.

Unless you have a full Category A motorcycle licence (which is unrestricted), you’ll need to pay attention to the power restrictions of your licence:

• 4kW or less if you have an AM Mopeds licence
• 11kW or less if you have an A1 Light Motorcycle licence
• 35 kW or less if you have an A2 Motorcycle licence

Licence restrictions are based on the electric motorbike’s engine power output, measured in kilowatts (kW) instead of cubic centimetres (cc). Thankfully, most dealers and manufacturers provide the engine’s equivalent cc size so you can determine if your licence allows you to ride it.

If you don’t have a motorcycle licence yet, it’s best to start by obtaining your CBT certificate. Not only is it required when working towards a provisional or full motorcycle licence, but it also gives you the necessary knowledge to ride any type of moped or motorcycle safely on your own.