Annie
27th Mar 2025
Reading Time: 5 minutes
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With what feels like constantly changing road rules in the UK, it’s easy to wonder if e-bikes are legal in the UK. What about electric scooters? Hoverboards? Do you need a license? We answer your frequently asked questions about personal electric vehicles!
Do I need a licence for an e-bike?
Is a child allowed to ride an electric scooter?
Can you ride an electric scooter on the pavement?
Can I ride my hoverboard in public areas?
What is an E-Bike?
An electric bicycle, or e-bike, is a personal electric vehicle that can be powered both by pedalling and assisted by a motor. They are particularly useful for people who want to commute but feel the distance is too far to cycle under pedal power alone, or who want to be able to keep up with city traffic speeds for safety.
A battery motor on the bike senses when you’re pedalling, which means the motor then kicks in to assist. It’s particularly useful going uphill! Some e-bikes have a throttle mode too, which allows you to use the motor without pedalling; this is helpful for longer rides to give yourself a break from pedalling.
Are E-Bikes Legal in the UK?
Yes, electric bikes are road legal in the UK. There are some restrictions you should bear in mind, however.
Anyone over the age of 14 can ride one, but it must be considered an ‘Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle’ or EAPC. This means it must have pedals which can propel the bike, and the output of the battery can’t exceed 250 watts.
The top speed on an e-bike on UK roads is 15.5mph on its own, not including pedal power. It’s a road vehicle, but you can ride it on cycle paths, too. You cannot ride an electric bicycle on the pavement in the UK.
What if it goes above 15.5mph?
However, if you can get to 15.5mph without pedalling – a ‘twist and go’ e-bike – you need to make sure it has an approval number marked on it. This is something the manufacturer or importer should do, but if you do not have an approval number you’ll need to apply for a Motorcycle single vehicle approval.
Do I Need a Licence for an E-Bike?
If your electric bike comes under EAPC regulations, you don’t need a licence. But, you must be 14 years old or above to ride it.
If your e-bike doesn’t fit the regulations, for example it can go faster than 15.5mph without pedal assistance, you will need a licence (see info about single vehicle approval above).
You also don’t need to register your e-bike, and there is no road tax to pay, either. You don’t need to have insurance, but it’s always recommended that you consider getting cover in case of theft or an accident.
Are Electric Scooters Legal in the UK?
This is a slightly confusing area because some e-scooters are road legal and some aren’t. That’s because private e-scooters – meaning, one you buy as a consumer for your own use – are not road legal. However, there are e-scooter rental schemes which allow them on roads.
Private e-scooters are considered a ‘powered transporter’, which means they are treated as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. That means they would need to meet the same regulations as cars and other vehicles – such as being taxed, insured, and licensed. As they are not road legal, this means you can’t ride one on a public road, pavement, cycle pat, or pedestrian-only areas. You can, however, ride one on private land (such as across a university campus) if you have permission from the land owner.
E-scooter rental schemes
E-scooter schemes, like Lime bikes, are in operation around the country. These require people to register their details and pay to rent the bike for a period of time, and users must have a valid provisional or full driving licence. The scheme bikes are allowed as they are clearly identifiable, meet safety regulations, and require registration for use. This means if they are in an accident, the rider can be located – whereas a private e-scooter is not registered.
There is an expectation of an announcement in 2026 following these trial schemes to determine whether private e-scooters can be made road legal. So, while a private e-scooter can only be ridden on private land at the moment, the rules could change in the future.
Is a Child Allowed to Ride an E-Scooter?
Children under the age of 16 cannot ride an e-scooter on a rental scheme for public roads. This is because they need to hold a provisional or full driving licence to be eligible to register for the scheme. Most schemes have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. They also can’t ride an e-scooter of their own on public roads, as private e-scooters are not road legal for any age.
On private land, there is no restriction to the age of the rider. However, it is recommended that children under the age of 12 do not ride an e-scooter for safety reasons.
Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Pavement?
Yes and no is the quick answer! You can ride a rental e-scooter on pavements if that pavement is a dedicated cycle path, with the bicycle symbol painted at regular intervals to indicate it is a cycle path. Sometimes, these pathways are shared with pedestrians as a pavement, so while you are allowed to use the path it is important to be aware that you are sharing the space with pedestrians.
You cannot ride a private e-scooter on the road or pavement, including cycle paths.
Can I Ride a Hoverboard in Public Areas?
One alternative to e-scooters and e-bikes, especially for children who can’t ride those vehicles, is the hoverboard. These are like skateboards, but you stand on them horizontally with both feet facing forward, instead of sideways in a line like on a skateboard. It’s recommended that hoverboards are suitable for children aged 8 and over.
Electric hoverboards are great fun and teach kids a lot about balance, as they are controlled by leaning to go in different directions or change speed. They aren’t road legal, which means they can’t be ridden on roads, cycle paths, or pavements. But they can be ridden on private land.
