Woa Woa Woa!! I went to the UK in 2022 and I was surprised to see that Electric Bikes are not fully legal in the United Kingdom. Yes, you heard right, it was not as ebike laws come in a grey area which means the government has not made legislation clear on e-bikes and still deciding but it seems things have changed a lot and going to change in 2024 according to some rumours on Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) law.

What is Throttle?

The throttle is a mechanism that is placed on the handlebar and when it is twisted, the electric motor starts rotating without pedalling and the bike starts moving forward. There are two types of throttle twist and thumb.

Are Throttle Electric Bikes Legal in the UK?

Yes, throttle bikes are legal in the UK but they have to comply with some laws that the government has made. Both Europe and the UK follow the same rule, European Union pedelec law. But it was not always like this. On 1st Jan 2016, the UK accepted EU Pedelec law in their country.

1. Pedal Assist: An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.
2. Throttle use: Currently, you can only go up to 4mph (6km/h) in full throttle afterwards it gets switched to PAS.
3. Age and Usage Restrictions: Riders age must be 14 years old or above to ride an EPAC. These bikes can be used on cycle paths and anywhere else that bicycles are allowed.
4. Power and Speed Limits:

• must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
• should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph (25km/h).

Fun fact: People who bought ebikes before 2016, can still ride throttle ebike up to 15.5 mph when the law changed under “granddad rules” you could still legally ride one as it was bought before the law changed.

Upcoming change in Ebike Laws

• The UK government is thinking to change the maximum power output to 500W from 250W.
• Abolishing speed limit of 4mph to 15.5mph in throttle bikes.

And it’s obvious these things are coming at some cost and that is you need to now register your ebike, pay taxes and have insurance before it was not required.

These are the only speculated news not confirmed by the government authority. It is difficult to understand if the government is doing it for people’s benefit or theirs. But one thing is for sure, the government is trying to reduce their citizens’ travelling costs and making it environmentally friendly as other tier-1 countries are doing.

How to Approve Throttle E-Bike with 15mph Legally

If you want to ride a throttle ebike without pedalling then get your bike DSVA approved or buy DSVA approved e-bike from companies like Pedibal.

To Approve Your Vehicle for Full Throttle E-Bike

You must apply for vehicle approval if you have:

• built a vehicle
• rebuilt a vehicle
• radically altered a vehicle
• reconstructed a classic vehicle
• imported a vehicle
• modified a goods vehicle

This should have been done by the manufacturer or importer before you bought it. If it’s been type-approved, it will have a plate showing its type approval number.

After DSVA approval you can ride the throttle ebike on the road at 15.5mph without pedalling.

Pricing Info: For the UK DSVA Certified Throttle option will incorporate additional costs to cover certification tests and logistic expenses to and from the test centre.

How to get vehicle approval

You can get a single vehicle or a small number of vehicles approved through:

• individual vehicle approval (IVA) for unregistered vehicles
• voluntary approval if your vehicle has already been registered in the UK
• GB conversion IVA scheme if you’re importing a vehicle that’s been approved and registered in the EU
• motorcycle single vehicle approval (MSVA)  if you’re making or importing a single 2, 3 or smaller 4-wheeled vehicle

You can no longer apply for a Pre-Registration Inspection (PRI). You must get your vehicle approved instead.

Some vehicles do not need approval. Check the list of exemptions from vehicle approval.

Kindly Note: Full throttle doesn’t elevate your eBike’s power. Pedalling might still be necessary on steep terrains.

Get help

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you need help with IVA or MSVA: [email protected]

Is it worth it to have DVSA approved ebike?

Well, above we have shown how you can apply for DVSA approval. Now, let’s talk is it worth having a DVSA-approved ebike. The answer is yes, it is worth it to have a DVSA-approved ebike in many circumstances.

Benefits of Having a DVSA Approved E-bike

1. Peace of Mind: Riding a DVSA-approved ebike gives relaxation to the mind as you don’t need to worry about potential fines and penalties. As your ebike complies with UK ebike rules and regulations.

2. Resale: DVSA-approved e-bikes are easier to sell in the second-hand market and you can get a good resale value. It would be a steal for the buyer as he doesn’t need to spend extra time and money for approval.

3. Riding Speed: You can ride an e-bike at the speed of 15.5mph max with full throttle, no more than 4mph.

4. License: No driving license is required, all you need is a helmet plus an age above 17 years old.

5. Commuting: It will make your commuting fast and cost-friendly.

6. People with health issues: For people who have respiratory issues, arthritis or chronic fatigue, an e-bike with throttle is a lifesaver. They can go outside and have their work done without depending on others or walking too much.

Potential Drawbacks

1. Cost: DVSA approval depends on the type of approval and can cost you up to £1000. But for an e-bike, it will cost between £100 and £300 plus transportation to take an ebike to the test centre.

2. Time: Approval may take between 2 to 8 weeks. If you’re in a hurry to ride you’re ebike for some purpose then you need to consider and plan your purchasing accordingly.

What are the penalties for using a non-compliant throttle ebike?

If an ebike fails to comply with EAPC norms then it is classified as a motorcycle or moped. This would require the bike to be registered, taxed and insured, and the rider to have a valid driving license and wear a helmet. This could result in fines, vehicle seizure and other penalties as well.

FAQs

Q1. Do I need a license to ride a throttle electric bike in the UK?

Ans. No, you don’t need a driving license to ride a bike that complies with EAPC rules.

Q2. Are there age restrictions for riding throttle electric bikes?

Ans. Yes, you must be at least 14 years old to ride an EAPC on public roads in the UK.

Q3. Where can I legally ride a throttle electric bike in the UK?

Ans. You can ride a throttle bike without any limitations on private property. But in public, your bike should comply with EAPC norms to ride on cycle paths, bike lanes, and roads.

Q4. Can I modify my electric bike to include a throttle?

Ans. Yes, you can modify your electric bike and ride in on a road till it complies with EAPC rules. In case modification exceeds the limitations then you need to register your bike as it will be classified as a moped or motorcycle. Registering a modified ebike is also not an easy task.

Q5. Is an electric bike with a throttle and top speed of 40kmph (25mph) legal to ride if the rider has a full Motorcycle license, a legal helmet and insurance?

Ans. First of all, your ebike will be classified as a motorcycle or moped. The rider must hold the appropriate documentation of the ebike like it should be registered, insurance for the bike & paid road tax. Then you can ride your ebike with a throttle and top speed of 40kmph.

Information Source: gov.uk, pedibal.com