Do You Need to Register an Electric Motorcycle?

Riding an electric motorcycle is the dream for many riders, especially if it’s from big renowned manufacturers. Now the question arises, do you need to register an electric motorcycle? 

You need to register your electric motorcycle to run on the highways, and for registering the motorbike, you need a motorbike license and insurance. It’s because electric motorbikes come with the same power as a traditional motorbike, and this makes an electric motorbike deserve the same treatment as the traditional motorbike. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about whether you need to register for an electric motorcycle.

Do You Need to Register an Electric Motorcycle? 

Indeed riding an electric motorcycle can be a wonderful experience, especially for the rider who loves nature and blames traditional vehicles for global warming. Now the question arises, do you need to register an electric motorcycle? 

Nowadays, electric motorbikes come with the same power as a traditional motorbikes, and this makes an electric motorbike deserve the same treatment as a traditional gas motorbike. 

It means you need to register your electric motorcycle to run on the highways, and for registering the motorbike, you need a motorbike license and insurance. 

Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance to Register an Electric Motorcycle? 

So far, you understand that you need to register your electric motorcycle to run on the highways. Now the question arises, do you need motorcycle insurance to register an electric motorcycle? 

As per the law in some countries, you must have motorbike insurance to register your electric motorcycle to ride on the highways. But to get insurance for the electric motorcycle, you need to apply for an electric motorbike license. 

For additional knowledge, if you’re a minor, you may need to register the insurance by your parent’s name and pay more in the insurance premium. 

The government and insurance companies take younger riders as riskers who can likely injure themselves and destroy properties in motorbike accidents. 

Even if you find insurance with less premium charge, you’ll bear fewer benefits from that insurance. The premium amount also depends on the type of motorbike you’re riding and the area you live in. 

For instance, if you’re living in an area where multiple motorbike theft cases are registered, then be prepared to pay high premium charges. Additionally, suppose you’re riding a motorbike with more security features or anti-theft features, in that case, you’re likely to pay less for a premium. 

Do You Need a Motorcycle License to Register an Electric Motorcycle? 

So far, you understand that you need a motorcycle license to register an electric motorcycle; now the question arises, do you need a motorcycle license to register an electric motorcycle? 

As mentioned above, an electric motorbike comes with equal power to the traditional motorbike, which means you need a motorcycle license to run the electric motorcycle on the highways. 

But a moped scooter doesn’t require a motorbike license if your electric motorcycle comes with a less than 50 CC engine. In some states, you must have the moped scooter’s L license. 

In some countries, an electric motorbike license is called an e-license which comes with additional benefits than the traditional motorbike license. 

What Type of License is Required for Electric Motorcycles? 

So far, you understand what motorcycle can’t require a rider to carry a license; now the question arises of what types of license are required for electric motorcycles. 

Indeed a motorcycle license is required for riding a motorcycle, but do you know that two types of license are dedicated to the electric vehicle?

Class M1 and class M2 are the two types of electric motorcycle licenses that you need to know before riding an electric motorcycle on the highways. Class M1 license permits you to ride any electric vehicle, such as an electric scooter and electric motorbike. 

But you may need a Class C license if you have an electric three-wheeler or a small cart attached to the electric motorbike. 

Class M2 license is for riders who ride the electric moped or any other electric vehicle that can’t cross the top speed limit of 30MPH. Class M2 is for beginners and has many restrictions; however, if you ride any electric vehicle that can cross 30 MPH or comes with more than 50 CC engines, you should go with an M1 license. 

If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend you try your hand at a moped electric vehicle and have the M2 class license. But if you’re an experienced rider, you can easily go with a motorbike requiring a class M1 license. 

What if You Ride an Electric Motorbike Without a License? 

Indeed you need a license to ride your EV; now the question arises, what if you ride an electric motorbike without a license? 

If you’re riding your EV without a license, you shall be liable for the fine or spend at least 6 months in jail. However, the fine amount would vary with the number of documents you lack. 

For example, if you’re riding without a license, then you shall be liable for just a fine. Still, you’re liable for punishment and a high fine if you don’t have any motorbike documents. 

And to avoid this, I recommend always carrying the motorbike license with you. 

If you’re still unsure whether the electric motorbike has the clutch or not then you should read the previous post to find out which electric motorbike is likely to come with the clutch, FIND OUT HERE.

What if You Don’t Register Your Electric Motorcycle?  

So far, you understand that you need motorbike insurance and a license to operate an electric motorcycle on the highways. Now the question arises, what if you don’t register your electric motorcycle? 

Suppose you don’t register your electric motorcycle. In that case, you shall be liable for punishment because the government will fail to recognize you as the owner of the electric motorbike you’re riding. 

To protect yourself from possible punishment, I’d highly recommend registering your electric motorbike as soon as possible. 

How to Register Your Electric Motorcycle?  

So far, you understand that you need to register your electric motorbike to run on the highways. Now the question arises, how to register your electric motorcycle? 

If you’re from California, registering an electric motorbike is significantly easier than registering an E motorbike in other states. For any state, you need documents proving that you’re the owner of the E motorbike. 

By giving all the documents to the DMV, you must wait at least 3 weeks to get all the registration documents with the number plate. Although in many cases, it takes the DMV to give you the registration document for more than 3 weeks, in that case, you can visit your local DMV office. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

Do you need to register an electric motorcycle? You need to register your electric motorcycle to run on the highways, and for registering the motorbike, you need a motorbike license and insurance. 

It’s because electric motorbikes come with the same power as a traditional motorbike, and this makes an electric motorbike deserve the same treatment as the traditional motorbike. 

I’ve also mentioned the documents which are required to register your electric motorbike and whether you need to have motorbike insurance or not. As additional knowledge, the motorbike insurance premium charge is highly dependent on the rider’s age; the younger you’re, the more premium charge you need to pay.