With more people choosing electric bikes as a convenient and eco-friendly way to travel, one of the most common questions asked is: do you need a licence to ride an ebike in the UK? The answer depends on how the bike is classified under UK law.
Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs)
If your bike qualifies as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC), you do not need a licence, insurance, or vehicle registration. The only legal requirement is that the rider must be at least 14 years old. EAPCs can be ridden on roads, cycle paths, and anywhere you can use a normal pedal cycle.
To understand the specific features that make a bike an EAPC—such as motor power limits and speed restrictions—you can read our guide: What makes an ebike legal in the UK.
Vehicle classifications beyond EAPCs
If your bike is more powerful than the limits set for an EAPC, it falls into different vehicle categories. According to the UK government’s vehicle classification table, motorised two-wheelers are generally divided into:
- Mopeds – Smaller, lower-powered bikes with speed and engine capacity restrictions.
- Light motorcycles – With higher power output than mopeds but still limited compared to full motorcycles.
- Motorcycles – More powerful machines with no such limits, often requiring advanced training and testing.
An overpowered ebike that doesn’t meet the EAPC criteria could be legally treated as a moped or motorcycle. That means it cannot simply be ridden on cycle paths—it must meet the safety standards of motor vehicles.
Licence requirements for non-EAPC ebikes
So, do you need a licence to ride an ebike in the UK if it’s not an EAPC? Yes. If your ebike falls into the moped or motorcycle category, you will need to follow the UK’s motorcycle and moped licensing requirements. This typically involves:
- Completing compulsory basic training (CBT).
- Holding the correct provisional or full licence for the vehicle class.
- Meeting minimum age requirements (for example, 16 for mopeds, 17 for light motorcycles).
In short, the classification of your bike determines your legal responsibilities. If it is an EAPC, no licence is needed—just be 14 or older. But if it goes beyond those limits, you’ll need to treat it as a motor vehicle and follow the relevant rules.
Final thoughts
To answer the question do you need a licence to ride an ebike in the UK: for standard EAPCs, no licence is required, making them the simplest option for most riders. But for more powerful electric bikes, you must follow motor vehicle classifications and obtain the correct licence before riding on public roads.