E-Performance: E-mobility is increasing from year to year, especially in cities. But can e-scooters, hoverboards, e-bikes, pedelecs and the like be used on public roads without further ado? When do you need a driver's license or an insurance number? And how fast can you travel with these vehicles and means of transport? Velomotion explains.
E-mobility is currently literally shooting up in cities and in the country. More and more people are switching and buying an electronically powered or assisted vehicle. But many are not even aware that they are not allowed to drive an e-scooter on public roads, for example. So you're making yourself a punishable offence. At the same time, politicians would like more and more e-mobility to be used. However, the legal situation is currently putting a spanner in the works here, as it is not immediately clear which electric vehicle requires approval or which one requires a driver's license. The market is booming, which is why the legislature should create clarity with regard to e-mobility and quickly adapt the legal situation in line with the times.
legislation
Driving most electric trend vehicles is not yet permitted on public roads. For many of them it is not clear which vehicle class they fall into and whether they ultimately have to be registered. In order to be allowed on the road, all vehicles that are faster than 6 km/h need an appropriate permit. Most of them already fail because of the necessary safety equipment according to the StVZO - i.e. lighting, bell and reflectors. If you drive it on the road anyway, you are liable with your private assets for damage in the event of an accident. This also applies to the sidewalk, because it is also part of public road traffic.
The ADAC has put together the most important rules for unicycles and two-wheelers that you have to pay attention to:
E-Bikes
Real e-bikes according to the StVZO drive without pedal assistance and are two-wheeled (small) motorcycles. Depending on how fast they are, they are classified as mopeds or mopeds. These must not be confused legally with the pedelec - see below - which is commonly (also here at Velomotion) called "e-bike".
- E-bikes up to 20 km/h are exempt from the helmet requirement for motorcycles. The driver needs at least one moped test certificate if he was born after March 31, 1965 and does not hold a driver's license. An insurance number is mandatory. Cycle paths may only be used if this is permitted by an additional sign "e-Bike free"; Cycle paths outside of built-up areas may always be used.
- E-bikes up to 25 km/h are mopeds that require a helmet. Otherwise, the above applies.
- E-bikes up to 45 km/h correspond to a moped and may only be ridden with a class AM driving licence. Helmets are also compulsory here; Bike lanes are taboo.
- E-bikes with a speed of more than 45 km/h are hardly represented on the market and – depending on the performance – are class A1 light motorcycles or class A motorcycles. These vehicles are subject to tax, registration and insurance.
With the additional sign introduced in 2017 (No. 1046-13: "single-seater two-wheeled mopeds with electric drive, which switches off automatically at a speed of more than 25 km/h."), which shows a stylized bicycle with a charging cable, cycle paths can be found in town also approved for e-bikes up to 25 km/h. Otherwise, cycle paths may only be used outside of built-up areas. If you use the cycle path with your fast e-bike, you risk a fine.
pedelec
Like e-bikes, pedelecs fall under the umbrella term electric bicycle. Difference to the e-bike: It combines muscle power with mechanical drive. Only when pedaling is the driver supported by an electric motor, which then switches off when the permitted maximum speed is reached.
- According to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), these pedelecs (up to a maximum of 250 watts of continuous power and a maximum speed of 25 km/h) are equated with bicycles. So they are allowed on cycle paths. Neither an insurance license plate nor a helmet is required for this.
- Depending on the performance, fast pedelecs up to 45 km/h are considered mopeds for which the AM driver’s license is required as a minimum. These vehicles are subject to tax, registration and insurance. They are also required to wear a helmet. The bike path is taboo. Anyone who wants to drive them usually has to be at least 16 years old.
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/08/test-klever-x-speed-570wh-s-pedelec-mit-ordentlich-power/
e-cargo bike
E-cargo bikes are the ideal means of transport in the city. This can be used to transport bulk purchases, children or pets. Legally, e-cargo bikes with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 25 km/h are bicycles. Anyone who rides such a bike has the same rights and obligations as a cyclist.
With an e-cargo bike, you can only move onto the road if it is unreasonable to ride on the (compulsory) bike path - for example, if it is not wide enough. E-cargo bikes that are faster than 25 km/h are considered motor vehicles and, like fast pedelecs or e-bikes, must be approved accordingly.
E-scooter
There are off-road and street e-scooters on the market, with and without a seat, and with different power levels and top speeds. City scooters, off-road scooters or kick scooters - the choice is large. But be careful: Many electric scooters are currently not approved for road traffic. The following generally applies: Depending on the design, mode of operation and performance, these vehicles can be assigned to the vehicle category bicycle with auxiliary motor (maximum speed 25 km/h with pedal assistance), light moped or moped (design-related maximum speed up to 45 km/h).
For electric scooters that are approved as light mopeds and bicycles with an auxiliary motor (maximum 25 km/h), users who were born after March 31, 1965 must be at least 15 years old and have a moped test certificate. If the scooter is registered as a moped with a top speed of up to 45 km/h, at least a class AM driving license is required. Whether you are allowed to take people with you is stated in the vehicle documents. Helmets are not compulsory for electric scooters that cannot drive faster than 20 km/h.
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/02/test-bmw-tretroller-x2city/
Segway
Segways are two-wheeled vehicles with a platform and a handrail. They are controlled by slightly shifting the center of gravity. Segways must be approved as mobility aids and meet certain requirements, such as brakes, lights and license plates. They are particularly suitable for trips in the city and are popular with city tours, for example. Segway riders must use bike lanes if available, otherwise the road. The municipalities can allow exceptions for Segway tours, for example for a trip through the pedestrian zone as part of a city tour. A maximum speed of 20 km/h applies. Requirement for the drivers: minimum age 15 years and a moped test certificate.
What about hoverboards, unicycles and co?
More and more trendy electric vehicles are bustling about on streets and sidewalks. These include hoverboards (unlike Segways, they don't have a handrail), unicycles (with and without a seat), longboards (skateboards with an electric drive), and many others. Many of them are practical because you can easily carry them under your arm or in your backpack. However, almost all of them are not permitted on public roads, sidewalks and squares because they are not licensed. It may only be driven on a closed private property.
Where can hoverboards be ridden?
The general provisions of the StVZO and FZV apply if the design-related maximum speed is more than 6 km/h. Since these vehicles cannot meet the approval regulations for seats, steering, brakes, lighting, mirrors, etc. due to their construction, these boards may only be moved in restricted non-public traffic.
Otherwise there is a fine and 1 point.
Does liability insurance have to be taken out?
The electric boards offered have a design-related maximum speed of over 6 km/h and must be compulsorily insured. However, such insurance is not offered.
Anyone who still drives on public transport is liable to prosecution according to § 6 PflVersG!
Do you need a driver's license?
Driving a hoverboard also requires a driver's license. Since the legislature was not aware of these boards when defining the driver's license classes, it is difficult to determine the specific driver's license class. According to the wording of the law, the boards could fall under the motorcycle classes AM, A1, A2, A, but also under the car class B.
Anyone who drives without the required driver's license class and despite the ban on using the boards on public roads also commits a criminal offense under Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act (driving without a driver's license).