Do you need a driver's license to operate an electric scooter?

Electric scooter – what kind of transport is it and what are its features?

On domestic roads in the summer today you can quite often find electric scooters, which have long ceased to be exotic. This type of vehicle has two or three wheels. The drive is carried out by an electric motor powered by a battery. Depending on the model of the electric scooter, it can travel from fifty to one and a half hundred kilometers on a single charge lasting 4-8 hours.

The electric scooter develops sufficient speed for moving around the city and is easy to control

The increasing popularity of electric scooters is associated with a set of advantages of these lightweight vehicles. The main advantages of electric scooters:

• quiet operation. Among all types of vehicles, electric scooters are the quietest;
• environmental cleanliness. During operation of the electric motor, the atmosphere is not polluted with harmful emissions;
• low operating costs. An electric scooter is more economical than a gasoline-powered motorcycle;
• small vehicle weight. With an electric scooter weighing much less than a moped, it can easily transport a driver with a load weighing up to two hundred kilograms.

In addition, an electric vehicle can be operated in enclosed spaces. This need arises in entertainment centers, scientific organizations, manufacturing enterprises and the entertainment industry. This is another serious advantage.

You need a category “A” license for an electric bicycle with a power of over 250W and a speed of over 25 km/h

With electric bicycles, everything is no longer so simple, according to the same article of traffic regulations 1.2:

“Bicycle” is a vehicle, other than a wheelchair, which has at least two wheels and is generally propelled by the muscular energy of the occupants of the vehicle, in particular by means of pedals or handles, and may also have an electric motor of rated value. maximum power in continuous load mode not exceeding 0.25 kW, automatically switching off at speeds over 25 km/h.

From the text of the article you can understand that you need a license if the power of the electric motor is equal to or more than 250W

, and the maximum
speed is more than 25 km/h
.
If you have a 250W electric motor and the speed is equal to or less than 25 km/h, you
DO
NOT NEED a driving license.
From the outside, unfortunately, it is not possible to determine the power of an electric bicycle, so always be prepared that a traffic police inspector may ask you for documents. In this case, refer to the law and provide proof of low engine power.

Do you need a license for an electric scooter in 2021?

Many owners of two-wheeled and three-axle vehicles with an electric motor are interested in whether they need a license to drive an electric scooter. Let's try to answer this question.

Do I need to have a license to drive an electric scooter?

Everyone has long been accustomed to gasoline scooters that have appeared on highways. Their operation was not regulated by legislation. That is why small-capacity mopeds and scooters with a capacity of up to 50 cubic meters did not require a driver’s license to operate and, accordingly, were not of interest to road patrol inspectors.

Many drivers independently increased the power of scooters by installing engines with larger cubic capacity. Externally, it was difficult to distinguish a 50 cc moped from a similar device with a 150 cc engine.

In most cases, such vehicles were driven by persons without driver's licenses and were not checked by traffic police representatives.

In accordance with the requirements of legislation, drivers of scooters with an engine power above 50cc need to obtain a driver's license with category "A1". However, externally identifying a scooter engine by power is problematic. The inspectors did not want to stop such motorcycles and check the drivers’ licenses.

Lack of control on the part of inspectors led to scooter riders ignoring traffic rules and increasing the accident rate. With the rise in the number of small vehicles and electric scooters, the number of accidents has increased to alarming figures, forcing officials to make a number of amendments to the legislation.

Due to the fact that scooter riders do not have the appropriate documents, accidents on the roads have increased

Thus, at the end of 2013, category “M” appeared on driver’s licenses. Traffic police inspectors now have legal grounds to stop even low-power scooters to present a driver’s license to drive a vehicle, as well as electric scooters equipped with a 0.25-4 kW motor. So do you need a driver's license for an electric scooter? Of course, yes, if the motor power is within the specified range or exceeds 4000 W.

Which vehicles do not require a mandatory license?

These are: scooter, electric scooter, pit bike, moped, motorcycle. Let's look at the definitions and technical information.

In traffic regulations, a “scooter” is “a vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm3 and a speed of up to 50 km/h.” Several types of transport with common features fit this formulation:

• small wheels,
• light frame,
• 2 or less gears,
• economical fuel consumption,
• small engine volume.

In the traffic rules, scooters, mopeds and ATVs are classified as category M (engine volume 50-230 cm3, power 0.25-4 kW, speed up to 50 km/h). This vehicle is popular due to its versatility, ease of operation and low price. They are convenient for driving in traffic jams, but their speed is low, and transporting cargo is problematic or completely prohibited. Since the scooter driver is a road user, it is necessary to have a vehicle license.

They can be obtained from the traffic police from the age of 16, provided there is a medical certificate and the absence of contraindications (mental illnesses requiring treatment with psychotropic drugs, poor or absent vision, epilepsy, impaired coordination and spatial orientation, absence or severe asymmetry of limbs). Before obtaining a license, you need to collect documents and pass an exam.

What does the legislation say about electric scooters?

Let's figure out which vehicles are classified as mopeds. The provisions of the law clarify that such vehicles have a two-wheeled or three-wheeled design, are not capable of exceeding the 50-kilometer speed threshold, and are equipped with an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, the power of which varies from 250 kW to 4 kW.

Therefore, electric scooters can be classified as mopeds and it can be concluded that it is possible to drive an electric scooter with a motor less than 250 W without a driver's license. In accordance with the information set out in the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, in order to drive a scooter with an electric motor of greater power, it is mandatory to obtain a driver's license.

What are the rules for electric scooters in Russia?

1. It is prohibited to drive an electric scooter without a license. What license is needed to drive an electric scooter depends on the power of the vehicle.
2. It is possible to obtain a license of category “M” or “A1” from the age of 16.
3. Persons under 16 years of age are prohibited from driving such vehicles - vehicles with an electric motor with a power of up to 250 W are intended for them.
4. Category “A” can be obtained from the age of 18.
5. If there is an open category of a higher rank, there is no need to undergo repeated training and open the “M” category.
6. Mopeds for motocross are classified as sports equipment and do not require a driver's license, provided that they are not used on public roads.
7. The driver of an electric scooter must comply with traffic rules. Violation of them is punishable by a fine of 800 rubles.
8. For violators under 14 years of age, the fine is paid by the parents.

Read the previous VoltBikes blog article about the rules for storing an electric scooter in winter.

Categories of rights to electric transport

When planning to purchase a scooter, you should choose the power of the future vehicle and obtain a license in the appropriate category. An important aspect when obtaining a license is not only the power of the motor, but also the speed developed by the electric scooter.

The power of the future vehicle should be chosen when planning to purchase a scooter

Depending on these criteria, electric scooters are divided into the following types:

• devices with a motor power of 1.5 kW or less, the speed of which does not exceed 50 km/h. To manage them, you must undergo appropriate training, pass exams and open the “M” category;
• models equipped with an electric motor, the power of which varies in the range of 3-4 kW, and capable of accelerating to 90 km/h. You can drive such a vehicle with a driver’s license of category “A1”;
• electric vehicles with a power of 5 kW and above. It is classified as a lightweight motorcycle. The driver of such an electric scooter must open category “A1” on his driver’s license.

Please note that driving a powerful electric scooter with an “M” license may result in you paying a fine, just like for driving a vehicle without a driver’s license.

How does the power of an electric scooter affect the category of license that must be obtained to drive it?

The domestic electric scooter market offers various models, the power of which ranges from 0.25 to 5 kW. If you are planning to become the owner of a modern scooter with an electric motor, you should figure out which electric scooters do not require a license, and which ones are required.

Only low-power models of electric scooters can be operated without a driver's license

Only low-power models of electric scooters equipped with an engine power of less than 250 W can be operated without a driver's license. All other electric scooters with electric motors of 250 W or higher cannot be used by persons who do not have a driver’s license with categories “A1” or “M”.

And although it is externally difficult for an inspector to determine the power of an electric motor on a scooter, representatives of the traffic police today show increased competence in these matters and can impose a fine for driving a powerful scooter without a license or with a driver’s license of the wrong category.

Obtaining category "M" license

There are certain nuances when obtaining a category M driver's license related to the driver's age. Not everyone knows what documents are needed to obtain a license and register an electric vehicle. Let's dwell on these questions.

Fine for driving without a license

Traffic police inspectors can stop any driver to check documents. If a citizen who operates an electric scooter does not have a driver’s license, he will face administrative punishment:

• 500 rubles if you don’t have your license with you (Article 12.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses);
• 5,000-15,000 rubles if the citizen has not received a driver’s license (Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code).

In addition to the fine, traffic police inspectors confiscate the vehicle and send it to a parking lot. Only the owner with a driver's license can pick up the scooter from there. And for each day of downtime, a penalty is charged.

Note! If a citizen is deprived of his rights, then, in accordance with Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code, he will face a fine of 30 thousand rubles or another type of punishment (arrest, community service).

You can get a fine not only for not having a driver's license. Owners of an electric scooter must have other documents with them, for example, a technical passport for the vehicle, which indicates the engine power and other characteristics.

The scooter is not intended for riding on sidewalks. He is a full participant in the road traffic, so the driver of an electric scooter will also be fined for driving in a pedestrian zone. According to Art. 12.15 Code of Administrative Offenses, the driver will face a fine of 2,000 rubles. There is also no relief for owners of electric scooters for violating other traffic rules.

At what age can you get documents?

As it turned out, driving an electric motorcycle without a driver's license is prohibited. Citizens of the Russian Federation can obtain a license only after reaching the age of sixteen. Accordingly, such electric vehicles can only be operated by persons at least 16 years of age. To obtain a license, you must undergo training at a driving school and successfully pass the final exams. The examination program includes not only a theoretical part, but also a practical one.

It is prohibited to drive an electric motorcycle without a driver's license.

How to get

You can only get a license to drive an electric scooter by going to a driving school. As a rule, it lasts up to 2 months. The cost of training starts from 7,000 rubles. However, this figure may vary in different establishments.

At the moment, not all driving schools are ready to provide training for opening the “M” category. This is due to low demand, since the price of the service is quite high. Many Russians prefer to immediately receive certificates with several open categories.

However, according to the law, rights to an electric scooter can be obtained from the age of 16. Whereas for a scooter or a car, only after reaching adulthood.

As soon as a person completes training at a driving school, he needs to submit documents to the nearest MREO traffic police department. A person needs to pass the theory and practice of driving. If successful, he receives a license.

A future driver can receive a license of the required category within an hour, but he must wait his turn to take the exam.

You can go another way. For this you need the Internet. You need to go to the official website of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate or State Services to submit an application and download document scanners. Pay the state fee (with a 30% discount) and get in line. After carefully checking all the papers, the applicant will be given a date and time at which he must appear.

An important component for quickly obtaining a driver's license is paying the state fee. This must be done before appearing at the traffic police MREO.

You can make payment in several ways:

• through the official State Services server (gosuslugi ru) or the traffic police website (gibdd.rf);
• on the online website of Sberbank (sberbank ru);
• Yandex Money or any electronic wallet;
• at the post office or bank branch.

It is important to understand that you need to pay extra for the money transfer service. As a rule, this is a small amount and amounts to around 60 rubles. The state fee is about 2,000 rubles.

If the payment was made online, it is important to print out the receipt. It is official confirmation that a person has paid the state fee. When paying at a post office or bank, it is important not to forget to pick up the check.

Is it possible to ride an e-scooter without a license on the sidewalks?

There is no clear regulation of the rights and obligations of owners of this type of equipment in the traffic rules. The draft amendments to the Russian Traffic Regulations, which should resolve these issues, are being discussed. Therefore, it is still possible to ride on sidewalks on weak scooters with a power of up to 250 W. As for more powerful models, the rules are as follows:

• If the e-scooter's engine power is more than 250 W, then it should follow the rules for mopeds. According to clause 7 of the Russian Traffic Regulations, mopeds are allowed to drive in a bicycle lane or on the right edge of the roadway. Driving on the side of the road is also allowed. At the same time, mopeds are prohibited from driving on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
• If the e-scooter engine power is less than 250 W, then you should focus on the traffic rules for bicycles, as the closest vehicles in terms of parameters. According to paragraphs. 24.1 and 24.2 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations, an adult (over 14 years old) cyclist must move on bicycle paths or lanes. If they are not there, then on the right edge of the roadway. If she’s not there either, then on the side of the road. And if there is none of the above or movement on them is difficult - on the sidewalks.

If an e-scooter is driven by a child under 14 years of age, then it must move only on bicycle paths or sidewalks, as well as within pedestrian zones. It is prohibited for children to ride e-scooters on the roadway.

Is it possible to ride an electric scooter with a child?

You can, there is no ban on riding an electric scooter with children. It is also not prohibited for several adults to travel at the same time.

But keep in mind that scooters are not designed to carry multiple people, so we do not recommend moving in this way, it is unsafe. In addition, study the technical data sheet of the device. It indicates the maximum weight that your scooter can carry.

Electric bikes in 2021: how much do they cost, where to charge and do you need a license for them?

First we need to look at the definition of a vehicle. An ATV is a self-propelled vehicle with the following characteristics:

• motor vehicles with 4 wheels;
• maximum speed exceeds 25 km/h;
• maximum engine power no more than 15 kW;
• weight not exceeding 400 kg or 550 kg in the case when it is planned to be used for the transportation of goods.

An ATV is an off-road vehicle not intended for use on public roads. Rights are a must!

Since this type of equipment is a motorized vehicle, in accordance with Art. 4 of Decree No. 796 dated July 12, 1999, to operate it you will need to have a license issued by Gostekhnadzor for a tractor driver of category “A I”.

To understand which document is needed, you should contact the PSM (self-propelled vehicle passport), which contains all the information about the ATV. Equipment with PSM falls under the competence of Gostekhnadzor, therefore, if you have the appropriate rights obtained from the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, you will still have to obtain rights from Gostekhnadzor.

Completing training is a mandatory step in obtaining a category “A1” license. Without a document confirming the successful completion of special training, it is impossible to obtain a certificate.

You can undergo training in specialized centers, training centers, tractor schools or any other institutions that provide such services legally, i.e. have the appropriate accreditation.

The process of obtaining a license for an ATV consists of several stages. A driver wishing to operate an all-terrain vehicle must:

1. Undergo special training and successfully confirm your knowledge and driving skills by passing the appropriate exam.
2. Prepare the necessary documentation (confirming identity, medical suitability and passed exams).
3. Contact Gostekhnadzor with a statement of intention to obtain a driver’s license of category “A1”.
4. Pay the state fee at a branch of any bank in the country or using a terminal, Internet banking or electronic payment system.
5. Provide the employee of the regional department of Gostekhnadzor with all prepared documents during a personal visit.

The data provided by an individual is checked by a department employee. If no errors, inaccuracies or deliberately false information are found, the document will be issued to the citizen within 20-30 minutes.

What documents are required to register rights?

In order to obtain a license to drive an electric scooter, you will need the following documents:

• a statement indicating a request to obtain rights;
• passport;
• a certificate stating that a special medical commission was successfully completed;
• documents confirming completion of a driving school;
• state tax receipt.

Before starting training, familiarize yourself with the schedule and procedure for taking exams.