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With the rising popularity of e-bikes, the number of e-bike users has also risen while discovering extra abilities of this electric toy. But since it is electric, do you need a license for an electric bike?
Just like electric scooters, electric bike rules, and regulations also vary from state to state in their own manner. Moreover, many people are still learning modern electric bikes, so it’s necessary to check your local laws surrounding them for more safety.
Well, this matter has more aspects than just the necessity of a license to ride around in your area.
So, if you are curious about the additional laws that come with it, keep reading!
Do You Really Need A License For An Electric Bike?
Each state in the USA has different rules and regulations for using electric bikes. A license is not required for states where e-bikes are considered electric bicycles.
However, in the states where electric bikes are considered mopeds, they require a valid driver’s license (which you’ll find rarely), plus the scooter’s registration is mandatory.
Following States Don’t Need a License For An e-bike? –
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Montana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
The states mentioned above don’t require a license to ride e-bikes. However, we suggest checking the local laws and regulations before bringing your e-bike to the streets.
Federal Electric Bike Laws
As per the federal electric bike laws, e-bikes are consumer products managed by CPSC. It means that the majority of the laws and regulations regarding electric bikes are made for e-bike manufacturers and designers.
Laws like speed exceeding their particular limits and restrictions on technical specifications are included in the federal laws. If the e-bike goes outside of these rules, it will be considered a motorbike.
Electric Bike Laws As Per Three-Class System
The Three-class system is used to understand the best practices for electric bikes based on categories like Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Electric bikes. As of now, 38 states in the USA are using a three-class system in e-bikes, which are as follows:
1. Alabama
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and wear a helmet to ride.
2. Arkansas
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and need a helmet for everyone below 21 years.
3. Arizona
Arizona has no rules regarding age limits and helmet compulsion to ride an electric bike.
4. California
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and wear a helmet to ride.
5. Connecticut
E-bike riders of all ages must use helmets and are not allowed on bike trails. Only riders above 16 years old can ride an e-bike.
6. Colorado
All riders under 21 years old require a helmet while riding an e-bike. Only riders above 16 years old can ride an e-bike.
7. Delaware
All e-bikes are allowed on bike paths unless the government prevents them. Riders under 16 cannot ride an e-bike as a rider and must wear helmets.
8. Florida
In Florida, all classes of e-bikes are allowed wherever standard bikes are allowed to be used. However, Riders under 16 cannot ride an e-bike as a rider and must wear helmets.
9. Georgia
Riders under 15 cannot ride an e-bike as a rider and must wear a helmet while riding a class 3 e-bike. Plus, class 3 e-bikes are not allowed to ride on shared paths except when they are adjacent to any roadways.
10. Illinois
Riders under 16 are not allowed to ride a class 3 e-bike. Additionally, electric bikes can be ridden on paths but not on sidewalks.
11. Idaho
E-bikes can be ridden on bike paths but need to follow local restrictions.
12. Indiana
All riders under 18 years old require a helmet while riding an e-bike. Only riders above 15 years old can ride an e-bike.
13. Iowa
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
14. Kansas
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
15. Louisiana
Riders must be 12 years old to ride an e-bike, and all passengers and e-bike riders should wear helmets.
16. Maryland
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers. Electric bikes are not allowed on sidewalks in Maryland.
17. Maine
Electric bikes OF the Class 3 group are not allowed on the paths where bikes ride unless the paths are within roadways. Riders, as well as passengers below sixteen, need to wear helmets. Riders under 16 can’t ride class 3 and class 2 e-bikes.
18. Michigan
Class 2 and 3 e-bikes cannot be ridden on bike paths. Only riders under the age of 14 years can ride class 3 e-bikes as passengers, and all riders under 18 require helmets.
19. Mississippi
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
20. Minnesota
Riders under the age of 15 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers. All e-bikes can only be ridden on bike paths.
21. Missouri
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
22. Nevada
All e-bikes can be ridden everywhere, but local regulations must be followed.
23. New Hampshire
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on bike paths, whereas only class 3 e-bikes can be ridden on roadways. Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes.
24. New Jersey
E-bikes are not allowed to be ridden on sidewalks. The rider should be 15 or above to be able to ride an e-bike.
25. New York
All class 1 and 2 e-bikes are considered bicycles. Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited to use.
26. North Dakota
Riders under 18 can only ride an e-bike with a helmet on.
27. Ohio
All riders having class 3 e-bikes must have a helmet on.
28. Oklahoma
Riders must be 16 years old or above to ride an e-bike. Class 3 e-bikes can only be ridden on bike baths adjacent to roadways.
29. South Dakota
Riders under the age of 16 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
30. Tennessee
Riders under 14 cannot ride an e-bike as the operator, and everyone must wear a helmet while riding an e-bike. No e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks.
31. Texas
Riders under the age of 15 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
32. Utah
Electric bikes are allowed on bike paths but not on sidewalks.
33. Vermont
Riders under the age of 15 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
34. Virginia
All class 3 e-bike riders must be 14 years old or above and should always wear a helmet while riding.
35. Washington
Riders under the age of 15 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
36. West Virginia
Riders of a class 3 e-bike 16 or above and riders under 15 should wear helmets. There are no class 2 e-bikes in West Virginia.
37. Wisconsin
Riders under the age of 15 years are not allowed to use Class-3 electric bikes and can only ride an e-bike as passengers.
38. Wyoming
Riders must be 16 years old or above to ride an e-bike.
What Is The Age Limit To Ride An Electric Bike In The USA?
Most states in the USA have a minimum age limit of 14 to 16 years old to ride an electric bike. Generally, the same rule applies to electric and human-powered or pedaled bikes.
Useful Links:
- Best 1000-Watt Electric Bikes
- Black Friday Specials on eBikes
- Electric Scooter Buying Tips to Save You Money
Wrapping Up!: Do You Need A License For An Electric Bike For (2023)
So, it turns out that you don’t need a license to ride an electric bike. However, each state has a different manner of managing e-bike rules.
According to state laws, you don’t need a license, but as per federal laws, the manufacturers and designers of electric scooters have to face certain laws.
Lastly, we recommend reviewing the local rules and regulations before taking your electric bike on a stroll outside.
FAQs
Very few of the states require insurance for electric scooters. Even many states which consider e-bikes as mopeds don’t require insurance.
Over half of the country has regulated wearing helmets for adult e-bike riders. However, in other states, helmets are mandatory for all ages.
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle regulations imply that an e-bike‘s speed limit above 15.5 Mph will be fined. With this rule being followed, e-bikes can be driven anywhere.
