Do you need a license for an electric bicycle in Russia?

Do you need a license for an electric bike 2018-2019?

After 2013, when the “M” category was introduced, the question suddenly ceased to be idle. This category includes mopeds and scooters, including those with electric drive. Anything about bicycles? It doesn’t matter, since the legislation for a moped provides the following definition:

“A moped is a three- or two-wheeled mechanical vehicle that reaches speeds of up to 50 km/h, equipped with an internal combustion engine with a volume of up to 50 cm 3 or an electric motor with a power of 250 to 4000 W. ”

Electric motors. That is, technically, an electric bicycle fits the definition quite well. We can immediately draw a logical conclusion:

, you do not need a license for an electric bicycle with a motor up to 250 W. According to the classification specified in the law, such a vehicle will be classified as ordinary scooters and bicycles.

Let's move on: do you need a license for an electric bicycle with a motor more powerful than 250 watts? Models with a 500, 750 or even 1000 W motor are not uncommon. What now, buy the rights to them?

The answer can be found in the comments from traffic police representatives:

“Legally, any electric scooter with an engine of 250W or more belongs to scooters and mopeds - this is according to Resolution 221 of March 22, 2014. Accordingly, in order to drive such a vehicle, the driver needs a category M license. The problem is that in the country - even in the central regions - there are still not enough teachers and driving schools that teach this category.

That is, in many regions it is simply impossible to obtain rights, while in others it is difficult. Accordingly, we now do not ask for such documents at all.

Next, how is a traffic police officer on the road asked to classify a stopped electric bicycle: do you need a license for it or not? There are no inscriptions on the outside; externally, 250W is no different from, for example, 750. How to comply with the law? No answer.

And finally, there is a possibility that in the near future the traffic rules will be amended again - bicycles and their motorized variants may be excluded from the section of vehicles altogether. Summarizing all of the above, we can say that according to the law, rights are needed, but in practice, it turns out, they are not.”

Let us add on our own that even before 2013 - in those years when licenses were needed only for mopeds with an engine of 50 cm 3 - no one stopped scooter drivers. The traffic police simply didn’t do this, so is there a chance that now they will come down hard on electric bicycle drivers? We believe that it is minimal.

IMPORTANT: We do not encourage you to break the law under any circumstances! If you need a license to operate your electric bike, be sure to get one!

Responsibility for lack of license for an electric bicycle

If you are caught without a license driving an electric bicycle with a motor of 250W or more, an administrative fine will be issued: 5-15 thousand rubles. In addition, the electric bicycle will be taken to the impound lot and given only to a citizen with a license (the “I’ll take it away” argument will not work).

IMPORTANT: Not only category “M” licenses are suitable, but also any other higher categories – for example, the same “B”.

Road rules for electric bicycles

If you have a powerful model and have a license, the rules correspond to those for motorcycles - that is, they are general. If you are riding a low-power electric scooter without a license, do not go on public roads, move along roadsides and pedestrian areas. You can take a shortcut through the park, along the embankment - in general, anywhere, but not in the traffic.

Don't take risks: follow the traffic rules, and you won't have problems with the traffic police or with other drivers. Have a good trip!

5 mobile vehicles: walk-behind tractor, ATV, bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter - do you need a driver's license?

In the last article, we dealt with the question of whether a license is needed in Russia for a scooter, electric scooter, moped, pit bike, or motorcycle. The article turned out to be very popular, and I decided to continue discussing this automotive topic.

Today we will talk about the same question: whether in 2019 in Russia a driver’s license is needed for such types of transport as a walk-behind tractor, an ATV, a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric scooter.

Well, I think everyone has been familiar with bicycles since childhood. I think you’ve also heard and seen them on the road about walk-behind tractors and quad bikes. But electric bicycles and electric scooters have stepped into our lives quite recently. Today, especially many of them move along specially designated paths in Russian resort towns.

Let's discuss each of the listed vehicles in turn and find out which of them you can safely ride without a license, and which, on the contrary, the lack of a license can lead to a fine and other unpleasant consequences.

Do you need a license for an electric scooter?

Well, why do you need a license for a scooter? – you say. We usually associate scooters with children and toys. What's difficult about managing it? Place one foot on the platform, and just have time to push off with the other...

However, times are changing, and on the roads of Russia you can already find electric scooters, on which a person can move simply by standing with both feet motionless on the platform. After all, an electric scooter has an engine that drives this wonderful device.

An electric scooter is lower in class than its brothers: an electric bicycle and an electric scooter. As we have already learned earlier, to drive an electric bicycle and electric scooter you need an M-category driver's license. Do you need a license for an electric scooter in Russia in 2019? Let's figure it out...

An electric scooter can be low power – up to 250 Watts and more powerful – over 250 Watts. If your electric scooter has low power and does not exceed 250 Watts, you do not need a license to drive it! Such a mobile vehicle is equivalent to a regular bicycle or scooter.

If you have a more powerful electric scooter, for example, 500 Watt or 1000 Watt, to drive it in Russia in 2019 you need an M-category driver's license.

Therefore, if you plan to get to work on an electric scooter, moving along the roadway and your electric scooter has a power of 250 watts or more, without a license you risk being stopped by the traffic police. The fine in this case will range from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles.

If you are under 16 years old, or have turned 16 but do not have a license, and you happen to have a bicycle or electric scooter, you can ride it everywhere except on the roadway. For example, without a license, you can ride an electric scooter in the courtyard of your house, on bicycle paths, along forest paths, etc.

You bought an electric bike – do you need a license?

What is an electric bike? You may have already seen it on the roads of Russian cities and, especially, on the bike paths of Black Sea resort towns and villages. In 2019 in Russia, an electric bicycle is no longer a curiosity, but a completely recognizable thing.

What is the difference between an electric bicycle and a regular bicycle? The most important difference is the presence of a motor that turns the wheel itself without the participation of the cyclist’s legs.

What is the difference between an electric bicycle and a moped? The moped's power starts at 250 watts. But electric bicycles are two-wheeled vehicles with a motor and a power of less than 250 watts.

By the way, in appearance, an electric bicycle looks more like a regular bicycle than a moped. A moped has a more massive frame, since power and speed require more strength from the structure.

But, in Russia in 2019 you can find electric bicycles with a power above 250 Watt. For example, now you can buy electric bikes everywhere with a power of 500 Watt, 750 Watt and even 1000 Watt. Do you need a license to drive such very high-speed vehicles? After all, it’s practically a moped! Let's figure it out...

In accordance with the law, any mobile electric motor vehicle with a power above 250 Watts requires a driving license!

And what does it mean? Do I need to learn the rules, go to a driving school, take exams at the traffic police, get license plates, compulsory motor liability insurance? The answer is yes! If you have a powerful electric bicycle with an electrical installation higher than 250 Watt, you can only ride such a unit on the roadway if you have received a driver’s license!

However, high-performance e-bikes are subject to mandatory driving license requirements largely on paper only. In reality, it is difficult to comply with the requirements of this law. Just as it is difficult for an ordinary traffic police officer to determine the power of an electrical installation on site if it does not receive any designation.

But, since the law obliges electric cyclists who ride two-wheeled friends with powerful engines to acquire category M licenses, this must be done. Otherwise, for violating the obligation to have an electric cyclist’s license, you will face liability and a fine of up to 15,000 rubles. Such a fine may even be more expensive than the electric bike itself!

Do you need a license for an electric bicycle that you will ride exclusively on the bike path of a park, embankment or other specially designated area? No - in this case you will not be on the roadway and a driver’s license in 2019 in Russia is not required in this case.

Do you need a bicycle license in Russia in 2019?

We have all ridden bicycles since childhood. In Soviet times, a teenager, especially a boy, dreamed of a bicycle from preschool times. Both then and now you can see people of completely different ages and genders riding a two-wheeled friend.

The popularity of bicycles is due to their ease of operation, affordability and the lack of official regulations governing their operation.

The bicycles themselves are different: touring, mountain, sports, children's, teenagers, ladies', etc.

And in 2019 and earlier in Russia, you don’t need a license to drive a bicycle. However, this does not mean that a bicycle can be ridden on the roadway without adhering to the established traffic rules.

Often, when buying a professional, sports, or racing bike, people ask the question: do they need an M driver's license to drive it? No, even for such high-speed sports equipment, a license is absolutely not required. It makes no difference whether you ride such a bike on a track or on a city road. The main condition is compliance with traffic rules, and, of course, knowledge of them.

If we consider a bicycle as a means of transportation on the roadway, for example, in a city, then in this case there are a number of restrictions:

Only a person over 14 years old can ride a bicycle on the roadway.
You should move along the right edge of the roadway.

For this reason, if you are going to ride a bicycle in a busy city, before you start driving it, it is advisable to buy and thoroughly study a booklet with the rules of the road. Ignorance of the rules leads to road accidents and incidents. Do you need them?

In addition, ignorance of the rules is fraught with fines for the cyclist. So, for violating traffic rules when driving in the city or on a highway, you can pay 800 rubles; for driving a bicycle while drunk, you face a fine of 1,500 rubles.

So, I think you have already understood that absolutely any bicycle - from sports to off-road - does not require a driver’s license and you do not need to pass exams at the traffic police. As they say: I bought it, sat down and drove off. The main thing is to be able to keep your balance, not to drive recklessly and know the traffic rules!

Do you need a license for an ATV in Russia in 2019?

Have you bought a powerful ATV and are going to ride it, but don’t know whether to get a driver’s license to operate it? First, you need to look at what power your ATV has and decide where you plan to ride it. Let's figure it out...

An ATV is no longer a moped or a motorcycle. It has 4 wheels and handles closer to a small off-road vehicle. The capacity of ATVs is up to 50, 125, 150 cubic meters.

Does such a small jeep need a license? Yes - they are needed, and without fail. To drive any ATV on the road in Russia in 2019, you will definitely need a driver's license. And if category M is sufficient for a moped and scooter, then for a quad bike you need category A license, a subgroup of a tractor driver. Yes, yes, everything is so complicated!

You can drive an ATV after reaching 16 years of age. With the exception of a children's ATV, which can be driven without a license. But more on that below.

You can obtain a license to drive an ATV in Russia in 2019 by submitting the required list of documents to Gostekhnadzor. Yes, licenses for ATVs in Russia are not dealt with by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, but by the department that issues licenses to drive tractors.

Meanwhile, you can ride an ATV without a license outside the roadway, for example, in a private yard, on the edge of a forest, in a field.

If you ride an ATV without a license on a city road or highway, then there is every chance of getting a fine of up to 15,000 rubles.

Wait. What about a children's ATV? Do you need a license to drive a children's ATV, especially one with a weak engine capacity of up to 50 cc? No – you don’t need a license for a children’s ATV! Provided that the child will not ride it on roads, but will only ride it in the courtyard of his home, on a bike path in a park or embankment, just like on a children’s bike.

Do you need a license for a walk-behind tractor in 2019?

A walk-behind tractor is considered a vehicle for mechanization. That is, this is such a motorized assistant in the field, on the garden plot, in the vegetable garden. Using a walk-behind tractor, you can plow arable land, mow grass, fill a ditch and do many other field jobs.

In essence, a walk-behind tractor is a miniature tractor that is capable of performing all the same functions, but in a small volume.

In addition, by hooking the walk-behind tractor to a trailer, it can be easily turned into a vehicle for transporting goods. In this case, the driver sits on the walk-behind tractor itself, controlling it, and the load moves in the trailer behind it.

What are the benefits of a walk-behind tractor? First of all, because this is not just field equipment, but a vehicle. You can sit on a walk-behind tractor and drive to the field or dacha. You can slowly drive tens of kilometers along the highway on it.

And since you can not only work in the field with a walk-behind tractor, but also travel along a public road, do you need a license to operate it? Let's figure it out...

In Russia in 2019, in order to drive a walk-behind tractor to move along the roadway, you need a category A license, just like for a motorcycle. In addition, a walk-behind tractor for driving on the road will also have to be equipped with DRLs and reflectors. However, on sale in Russia in 2019 you can already find walk-behind tractors prepared by manufacturers for moving along the highway.

When driving a walk-behind tractor without a driver's license, you will face a fine of up to 15 thousand rubles, which, of course, is very serious!
If your walk-behind tractor is used exclusively as field equipment and you do not drive it on the road, you do not need a driver’s license in this case.

Summarize. If you don’t have a license and you don’t plan to get one yet, for example, because you’re young, but you want to not just walk, but ride – a bicycle and a low-power electric scooter, this is what you need.

If you have a category M license and want to ride on the roads, for example, to get to work or college, take an electric bicycle or a more powerful electric scooter. Your driver's license will be enough to drive these two-wheeled units.

If you want to get to your dacha on a walk-behind tractor or go hunting on an ATV, do not forget that to drive this equipment, a category M license will no longer be enough, since you will need a category M license.

If you have a scooter, electric scooter, moped, pit bike, motorcycle and you are wondering whether you need rights to this equipment in Russia in 2019, read our article on this issue.

Is a license required for an electric bicycle in Russia?

Law is my hobby, but it doesn’t bring me much profit, and in my free time I just write articles on this topic. And if I didn’t have my own electric bike, I would hardly have decided to write this article.

What are electric bicycles?

Electric bicycles are a relatively new form of transportation. They come in different models and varieties and do not always fit into one precise definition. In some countries, transport and traffic laws clearly define what is meant by the term "electric bicycle".

However, there are no explicit laws governing electric bikes in Russia, and they are often treated like mopeds and other motorized vehicles, regardless of their speed, power and other characteristics.

This type of transport can have a positive impact on the environment and public health. E-bikes can also help reduce traffic congestion, reduce emissions, improve air quality and improve public health.

Bikes and the law

According to the Russian law, road bicycles can have a built-in electric motor with an installed power of 250 watts or less, which automatically turns off when the speed exceeds 25 kilometers per hour. No driving license is required for this type of vehicle.

State standards for the use of bicycles

Russian law sets rules for the use of motorized bicycles, just like cars and motorcycles - regulating how they should be used is based on the state vehicle code.

The driver is also subject to drunk driving laws. Additional laws or regulations may apply to the use of electric bicycles in each city or county.

Do you need a license for an electric bike?

As already noted, in Russia a license for an electric bike with an engine power of up to 250W is not required. Based on the established classification, which is prescribed in the law, this means of riding refers to scooters and bicycles.

Let's go further: is a license required for an electric bike with an engine more powerful than 250 watts? Models with motors of 500, 850 and 1000 W are not that rare. What now, go and get your license?

The answer to this question can be found in the commentary from the traffic police

“Based on the current legislation, any electric scooter with a motor of 250W or more is classified as a scooter - based on the latest amendment dated March 22, 2014. Therefore, in order to be able to drive such equipment, the driver requires a special category M license.

At the same time, how can a traffic police officer standing on the road determine the type of electric bicycle and the power of its motor? There are no inscriptions on the outside; in appearance, the 250W motor is practically indistinguishable from the same 750.

How to fulfill the law? No answer. I conclude that in most cases you will not need a driver's license in practice, but anyone riding an e-bike on the road should have an ID card.

However, mopeds are prohibited from using bike lanes in many parks. Russian legislation governing motorized electric bikes does not prohibit local jurisdictions from passing regulations that further regulate or prohibit the operation of motorized bicycles.

If such equipment has pedals that drive it, the electric motor will not help you if you are traveling at a speed of more than 25 km/h and the motor power does not exceed 250 W.

Of course you can find faster off-road bikes that can go over 25 km/h, but for Russian legislation they do not meet the established rules for road use.

Important: Many electric bikes have a motor in the bottom bracket that creates extra power to help with pedaling.

What should I do if my electric bike violates the rules?

If your bike does not comply with the regulations - either because the motor is more powerful than 250W, or if the motor assists you when you ride at speeds over 25.5 km/h - it must be registered, insured and taxed as a car. In this case, you will also need a driver's license and you must wear a motorcycle helmet.

The moped must also have equipment

elements of the brake system, fuel and exhaust system;
steering control system, rims, fenders;
equipment management;
speedometer, retractable support stand and identification markings.

Different interpretations

There are fewer gray areas now than there were when the laws were different across the country, but I still found some differences of opinion among some people in the industry.

Victor Stepanov, founder of electric bike store Just eBike, says that “according to the law, the maximum speed allowed for pedal assist motors is 10%. But no one knows about it."

Fines for cyclists

In April 2017, further amendments were adopted concerning Russian cyclists, in which new clauses can be found - these amendments will ensure better safety on the roads.

The Code of Administrative Offenses also provides for penalties for cyclists for violating traffic rules:

800 rubles - for violating the rules;
1000–1500 rubles for neglecting the rules of driving while intoxicated.

Do I need a license for an electric bicycle and where can I get one?

A bicycle with an electric motor is convenient and often more practical than its mechanical counterpart. However, in everyday life we have to take into account not only convenience, but also legal norms. It's helpful to know what the legal requirements are for riding an e-bike.

Peculiarities

The rapid increase in the length of cities and the congestion of streets with cars and motorcycles make alternative modes of transport relevant. One of them was the electric bike. Its motor power varies from 0.15 to 1.5 kW. A hybrid is lighter than a moped and almost as fast.

It is much easier to park and store, and many have already appreciated the ease of driving.

However, it is precisely the high speed, combined with a rather noticeable mass, that means that such devices fall under the category of motorized transport. And in Russia, for quite some time now they have paid attention to the legal side of using electric bikes. This issue was first raised in a government decree dated March 22, 2014. A number of criteria for an electric bicycle were also introduced there. These include:

equipped with an electric motor;
motor power up to 0.25 kW;
the developed speed is no more than 25 km/h.

Moreover, anything more powerful than 0.25 kW and faster than 25 km/h is classified as a moped. Accordingly, in this case, a license for an electric bicycle is required. There is a special category M. However, in real life it is quite difficult to draw the line between vehicles with a power of 0.25 and 0.35-0.5 kW.

They can look the same and have almost the same technical content, and yet develop completely different speeds.

About legal conflicts

But not everything is as simple as it seems. There are electric bicycles with variable power. Their speed, as you might guess, also varies, and it can differ by almost 2 times. And a paradox arises: in some cases, the same technology requires rights, but in others, you can do without them. This issue is not fully regulated in Russian legislation.

Therefore, it all comes down to decisions made on the spot by traffic police officers. Theoretically, they can be challenged, but in real life this is either impossible or takes an exorbitant amount of effort and time. Therefore, you need to figure out in advance whether you can ride an electric bicycle without documents or not. And the most important point is, naturally, the very power of the bike. The problem is how exactly traffic police officers will check and evaluate this indicator.

Traffic regulations of the Russian Federation clearly indicate how to ride bicycles and how to ride mopeds. It is the responsibility of cyclists to travel on designated and designated paths. But in most Russian cities there are either no such paths at all, or there are very few of them, and they are located inconveniently and impractically. Outside large populated areas the situation is even more dire. Theoretically, the same rules should apply to riding an electric bicycle.

However, what changes everything is that it can be driven either by an electric motor or by pedaling. And it is unlikely that inspectors will have evidence that one or another method was used at a particular point in time. But at the same time, it is obvious that traffic police are trying to make traffic as safe as possible. Therefore, they will assume by default that the motor was used.

Conclusion: for your own peace of mind, it is better to go through the standard registration of an electric bicycle and take care of obtaining a license.

The fine for driving without a license ranges from 5 to 15 thousand rubles. Beyond this, the vehicle will be confiscated and returned only upon presentation of a driving license. Difficulties for owners of electric mopeds are associated with the lack of law enforcement practice and regulatory framework at the departmental level. Therefore, cyclists need:

follow all traffic rules;
do not enter into conflicts with other road users;
drive at relatively low speeds;
Choose a calm driving style whenever possible.

Comparison of Russia and foreign countries

In Western European countries, road traffic is limited to a speed of 20 or 30 km/h. The exact meaning depends on the legislation of each state. Therefore, electric bicycles, which can travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h, will definitely need a license.

In Ukraine, legislation is structured differently - it is not the speed that is limited, but only the total power. There you need to register the license for a vehicle with a power of 4 kW or more. You are not required to obtain license plates. The electric bike itself also does not require registration. In Russia, registration of electric bicycles is also carried out starting with a power of 4 kW. If the vehicle’s engine is weaker, you will not need to contact the traffic police about this.

As for the legislation in force in Belarus, it does not classify electric bicycles as a separate category. However, given that the vehicle is equipped with a motor, traffic inspectors believe that it should be considered a type of moped. Consequently, such bicycles can only be used by people over the age of 16 who have obtained an AM license.

If you have the right to drive a vehicle at any other level, the AM level authority is assigned automatically and does not require additional proof.

But Belarusian legislation differs from Russian legislation in that it prohibits drivers of electric bicycles from using bicycle paths. They need to ride only on public roads and nowhere else. And one more requirement that is important to remember for Russians going on an electric bike to Minsk or Orsha is that you cannot ride without a fastened motorcycle helmet.

In all three states, the procedure for obtaining a license to drive an electric bicycle is the same as for motorists and motorcyclists. This means attending a driving school, passing exams, receiving official documents confirming such passing, and passing a medical examination.

In Russia, you will have to purchase an MTPL policy and install license plates on your “steel friend”.

For comparison: in Kazakhstan, an electric bicycle is officially classified as a moped. You do not need to obtain a special license for it, but driving by people under 16 years of age is not allowed.

In Israel, from January 1, 2019, riding an electric bicycle on the road is possible only if you have a license and after passing a driver's test. A relaxation has also been introduced: now you can use such transport not from 16, but from 15 years old.

Do you need a license for an electric bike?

In 2013, a new category of rights was introduced in Russia - “M”, which is needed to drive scooters, mopeds, including those equipped with electric motors.

Vehicles falling into this category must meet the following parameters:

Have two or three wheels;
Maximum speed – up to 50 km/h;
Internal combustion engine – up to 50 cc. cm. If an electric motor is used, its power should be in the range of 250-4000 W.

Do electric bicycles fall under the “M” category?

If you have an electrical device with a power of up to 250 W, then no documents are required for it. In all other cases, you must have an e-bike license. At the same time, the traffic police inspector has every reason to stop the owner of such a vehicle and demand to present documents that can confirm the power of the electric vehicle.

At the same time, if a cyclist has a license of higher categories, then he will not have to separately obtain the “M” category, since the owner of such a license has the necessary knowledge and skills to operate electric bicycles from Xiaomi and other manufacturers.

Do I need to register an electric bike?

In accordance with the law, registration of this type of transport is required only if its power exceeds 4 kW and it is capable of accelerating over 50 km/h. Accordingly, you cannot drive an electric bicycle with such indicators without a license. Additionally, you must always have insurance with you.

The device can be driven on public roads. If the device does not require obtaining a license, then when riding it you must adhere to the rules that apply to standard bicycles, i.e. It is prohibited to leave or move in the flow of vehicles.

Responsibility for lack of rights

Based on current legislation, when driving an electric bicycle without a license, its owner may be issued an administrative fine (up to 15 thousand rubles), and the vehicle may be taken to an impound lot. Only a person who has the required category of car documents can pick it up.

Currently, the question of whether a license for an electric bicycle is needed in Russia is being discussed at the legislative level, since in practice, traffic rules for this type of transport are practically not observed. It is likely that amendments will be made to exclude motorized versions of bicycles from the vehicle section. Therefore, everyone who wants to buy Xiaomi electric bicycles and other models included in the top best electric bicycles will be able to travel on the roads without fear.

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