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What licence and training do I need for an electric bike or scooter?

What licence type you will need to ride an electric bike or scooter will depend on the power of the bike you want to buy. If you are baffled by which motorcycle licence you need to get on to the electric bike of your choice, read more here...

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Words by: Auto Trader

Published on 15 June 2021 | 0 min read

How do I know what ‘CC’ the electric bike I want is?

Most people will know the difference between 125cc, 600cc and 1000cc when it comes to traditional bikes but as electric motorcycles/scooters aren't powered by an internal combustion engine the power is measured a little differently.
Electric bikes are measured in kW (Kilowatts) but as we’re more familiar with cc most manufacturers will give an equivalent cc value to help you out. You can find the details of what cc an electric bike is on each Auto Trader advert, you can also filter on Auto Trader bikes by cc and by electric. Here you can search through: Electric bikes and scooters up to 50cc here. Electric bikes and scooters up to 125cc here. Electric bikes and scooters up to 600cc here. Electric bikes and scooters up to 1000cc here. All electric bikes and scooters here.
What licence do I need?
Different bike licences and training combinations enable you to ride different categories of bikes.
You will need the following to get going on the bike of your choice:
  • CBT (if you are 16) - Enables you to ride a bike up to 50cc (4kW)
  • CBT (if you are over 16) - Enables you to ride a bike up to 125cc (11kW)
  • A2 Licence (if you are 19 - 23) - Enables you to ride a bike up to 35kW
  • A Licence (if you are 24 or older) - Enables you to ride any bike
Put simply, the more powerful the bike you want, the more training you will need to have. A CBT course will allow you to ride a small eclectic scooter or motorcycle, but you’ll need to pass the motorcycle theory test and full motorcycle licence tests if you want to either take passengers OR ride something more powerful than 11kW. You can find out more about the CBT course on RideTo’s Website.

I want a 50cc electric bike - what’s the minimum training and licence I can get?

You will have to be 16 or over
In order to ride a 50cc electric bike or scooter you will need to do CBT and have an AM licence or above Read more and watch our video about about how to get on your bike in 5 steps with CBT here Read more about AM licences here Please note, if you have a CBT and AM licence you will have to use L-plates, you won’t be able to ride with passengers or go on motorways. To do all these things you will need a full licence. Search for a 50CC electric bike or scooters here.

I want a 125cc electric bike - what’s the minimum training and licence I can get?

You will have to be 18 or over
In order to ride a 125cc electric bike or scooter you will need to do CBT or have an A1 licence or above Read more and watch our video about about how to get on your bike in 5 steps with CBT here. Read more about A1 licences here . Please note, if you have a CBT and A1 licence you will have to use L-plates, you won’t be able to ride with passengers or go on motorways. To do all these things you will need a full licence Search for a 125CC electric bike or scooters here.

I want an electric bike with no restrictions, what do I need?

You will have to be 24 or over
You will need a full licence (AM, A1, A2, A licence) read more You will need to do a CBT read more You will need to do a Motorcycle Theory Test read more You will need to do Full Licence Training read more here Search all eclectric bikes and scooters here.
We hope this gets you closer to the eclectic bike of your choice.

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