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Do You Need a License to Drive an Electric Motorcycle
Confused about electric rides? You are not alone. Many people who buy bikes, scooters, and motorcycles don’t know if they need a license. This can be big trouble!
As a top maker of electric bikes, electric kick scooters, electric motorcycles, and foldable scooters, we help shops and dealers know the rules. This helps them sell more and keep their buyers safe.
Table of Contents
The Problem: Rules Are Different Everywhere
Do you sell electric rides? Your buyers may not know they need a license. When they find out later, they get mad at you. They might want their money back!
Why is this bad for your shop?:
- Mad customers tell others not to buy from you
- You might get bad reviews online
- You might have to take back bikes and lose money
- Your shop might get a bad name
What Makes an Electric Ride Need a License?
The answer is not the same everywhere. It depends on:
- How fast it goes
- How much power it has
- If it has pedals
- What state you’re in
Let’s make this easy to understand:
| Type of Ride | Usually Needs License? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| E-bike under 750W and 20 mph | No | Most states call these bikes |
| E-bike over 750W or 30+ mph | Yes | Too fast, too strong for bike lanes |
| Electric motorcycle | Yes | Works like a motorcycle |
| Electric kick scooter under 20 mph | No in most places | Seen as a toy or bike |
| Electric kick scooter over 20 mph | Yes in most places | Too fast for sidewalks |
| Electric foldable scooter | Depends on speed and power | Check local rules |
The Big State Rules Chart
Here’s what different states say:
| State | Need License? | Power/Speed Rules | Law Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes if over 1,000W/30+ mph | Class M1 for big ones | CA Vehicle Code §400 |
| Texas | Yes if over 750W/30+ mph | Class M license for fast ones | TX Transportation Code §541.201 |
| Florida | No if under 750W/20 mph | Small ones are OK without | FL Statute §316.003 |
| New York | Yes if over 750W/20 mph | Need license if no pedals | NY Vehicle & Traffic Law §102 |
| Colorado | No if it has pedals | Pedal ones OK, throttle needs license | CO Rev. Statute §42-1-102 |
What Happens If Riders Don’t Get a License?
Bad things can happen:
- Fines of $200-$500
- Bike might get taken away in CA, NY, IL
- If there’s a crash, it’s all their fault
- Insurance won’t help pay
Why This is Your Problem as a Dealer
When you sell bikes and scooters, your buyers trust you. If they get in trouble because you didn’t tell them about licenses, they blame you!
True story: In 2022, over 1,200 people in Los Angeles got tickets for riding without licenses. Many went back to the shops and were very mad![^1]
Another true story: In New York, almost half of all e-motorcycle crashes had riders with no license.[^2] They got hurt AND had to pay big fines.
Your Customers Don’t Know the Rules
A big study shows 40% of riders don’t know if they need a license.[^3] That’s almost half!
If you sell them the wrong thing, they might:
- Get tickets
- Have their new bike taken away
- Tell everyone your shop gave bad advice
- Ask for their money back
The Solution: Partner With a Maker Who Knows the Rules
As a top maker of electric motorcycles, electric kick scooters, and foldable electric scooters, we don’t just make good rides. We help our dealers sell the right way.
How we help your shop win:
- Clear Tags: Every bike and scooter has tags that say if it needs a license
- Training: We teach your sales team what to tell buyers
- Handouts: Nice papers to give buyers about their state’s rules
- All Types: We make both license and no-license models so you can sell to everyone
- Custom Speed: We can make models that match your state’s rules
Why Our Electric Rides Sell Better
Our rides are made for shops that want happy customers who come back. We know the rules for all 50 states.
Problems we fix:
- Buyers who are confused about licenses
- Shops that lose money on returns
- Dealers who get bad reviews
- Agents who can’t answer customer questions
Our electric rides come in all types:
- Under 750W e-bikes (no license needed)
- Over 750W e-motorcycles (with license info)
- Kid-safe models (age rules included)
- Shop-smart models with clear rules tags
Special Help for Sharing Scooter Companies
Do you run a sharing scooter business? The rules are even more tricky for you! We make scooters that:
- Have GPS speed limits for different zones
- Come with clear rider rule stickers
- Work with your app to check for licenses
- Are built to match local laws
Why Smart Dealers Choose Us
The e-ride world is growing fast – up 65% from 2020 to 2023![^4] But with more sales come more problems if you don’t know the rules.
Top states for fines are:
- California: $1.2 million in fines last year
- New York: $890,000
- Texas: $760,000
Don’t let your customers pay these fines! Work with us instead.
Help Your Customers Know the Rules
Good dealers don’t just sell bikes. They help customers ride safe and legal. When you work with us, you get:
- Rule Cards: Small cards for each state’s laws
- Age Charts: Know who can ride what
- License Guides: How to get a motorcycle license
- Speed Tags: Clear marks on all rides
- Legal Updates: We tell you when laws change
Ready to Sell Smart and Keep Customers Happy?
As a maker of quality electric bikes, electric motorcycles, electric kick scooters, and foldable scooters, we don’t just make good rides. We help you sell them the right way.
Don’t let your shop be the one that sells the wrong bike to the wrong rider. Partner with us and:
- Sell more bikes
- Have fewer returns
- Get better reviews
- Build a name as the smart shop
- Help riders stay safe and legal
Talk to Us Today
Ready to stock bikes and scooters that won’t get your customers in trouble? Want to be the shop that knows all the rules? We’re here to help with OEM and wholesale electric rides made for your success.
Call us today or visit our website to see our full line of license-friendly electric rides!
