Do you need a license for motorized bicycles?

Section 2 "Obligations and rights of drivers of mechanical vehicles" according to the section "General Provisions": clause 1.10 of the Traffic Code of Ukraine: a mechanical vehicle is a vehicle set in motion by an engine.

This term, mechanical vehicle, applies to tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms, as well as trolleybuses and tractor vehicles with an electric motor with a power of more than 3 kW. And in §2 of Art. 2.13. The right to drive mechanical vehicles is written as follows - vehicles with the right to drive them are classified by category:

• A1 - mopeds, scooters and other vehicles with an engine with a working volume of up to 50 cm3 or an electric motor with a power of up to 4 kW.

• A - motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles have an engine with a working volume of 50 cm3 or more or an engine with a power of 4 kW or more.

• B1 - quad bikes and tricycles, motorcycles with a side trailer, scooters and other three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, the permissible weight of which does not exceed 400 kg.

In practice, this means that an electric bicycle or an electric scooter, which has an electric motor power of up to 3 kW, is not a mechanical vehicle, which means that they do not fall under the requirements of § 2 of Art. 2.13. The right to drive vehicles in category A, A1, that is, an electric cyclist can ride without the right to drive a vehicle.

Electric scooters with motor power from 3 kW to 4 kW require a category A1 license.