ELECTRIC MOPED / SCOOTER

After speed pedelecs, the next category will generally be electric mopeds restricted to 28mph (45kmh). These can be thought of in a similar way to a Honda 50cc petrol moped. As a moped, they can be ridden by any rider 16 or over who has either passed a CBT course or has category AM or P on their existing driver licence. These are classed as L1e-B, which is the same as a Speed Pedelec (L1e-B).

Car drivers who passed their test before February 2001 generally will have this category AM or P already on their licence, or have a full motorcycle licence, and are not required to take a CBT course (please double check that this is the case).

Electric scooters / motorbikes that are capable of speeds in excess of 28mph / 45kmph are classed as L3e-A1. There is no speed restriction however you must be 17 or above and have passed a CBT course OR have a full motorcycle licence. 

Electric Motorbikes - Over 28mph

Electric scooters / motorbikes that are capable of speeds in excess of 28mph / 45kmph are classed as L3e-A1. There is no speed restriction however you must be 17 or above and have passed a CBT course OR have a full motorcycle licence.

Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs)

The battery technology advances in recent years gave way to the popular craze of "hoverboards" and other similar small electric scooters and light vehicles that have electric motors attached.

As far as UK law goes, these are not currently legal for use on UK highways and roads.

However, the government are currently reviewing legislation, fast tracking plans to trial them in cities. Originally planned for 2021, the trial has been brought forward to June 2020. For now, they are focusing on hire-schemes rather than ownership, but we hope this changes in the coming months.

There are a large amount of quite serious and high quality electric scooters available that are popular in European cities as alternatives to bikes or mopeds. In France, for example, these low-speed mobility devices can be used in cycle lanes.

Often these light vehicles are able to quickly get to speeds of 15mph or more which has raised concerns over safety. For now at least, they are only legal to be used for recreational use on private land and parks but we're seeing an increasing amount used for commuting.