‘What licence will I require?’
Not got a full licence? Here’s what that means if you want to enter the electric world
Electric motorcycles have created a grey area in the licensing laws due to the way they produce power. Petrol vehicles make constant power until the fuel runs out, so they have an easily recorded average power figure over a set time period. Electric vehicles, however, are limited by their battery’s charge and so have to record an average power output, which is often far less than their peak power output. This is why you can ride an electric bike whose peak power is higher than a restricted licence allows but its average is within the restrictions, such as the Zero S ZF 7.2 which can make a peak power of 43.4bhp (33kW) yet is classed as A1-legal because its average power is 15bhp (11kW). So what can you ride?
Age 16 or over. Provisional AM licence
After CBT, with L-plates you can ride solo on a 50cc bike that is restricted to 28mph or an electric bike such as the Super Soco that also can’t exceed 28mph and is classed as L1e-A or L1e-B and doesn’t have a continuous power output of more than 4kW.
Age 17 or over. Provisional A1 licence
With a CBT certificate you can ride solo a bike up to 125cc displaying L-plates or an electric bike such as the Zero ZF 7.2 that is classed as L3e-A1 and can’t have a maximum continuous power of more than 11kW or a power-toweight ratio of over 0.1kW/kg.
Age 19 or over
Once over 19-years-old you can gain a full A2 licence by taking the Theory and Practical tests. With an A2 licence you can ride any petrol or electric motorcycle that doesn’t exceed a maximum continuous power of 46.6bhp (35kW) or a power-to-weight ratio of 0.2kW/kg.
Age 24 or over
At 24-years-old or having held an A2 licence for two years you can gain a full unrestricted A licence by taking the Theory and Practical tests. With an A licence you can ride any capacity and any power of electric or petrol-powered motorcycle.