Topic
UK e-bike law
The EAPC rules on power, assisted speed, throttles and age, and what happens when a bike goes beyond them. General information, not legal advice.
- Continuous power
- 250 W or less
- Rider age
- 14 or older
In England, Scotland and Wales an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) can be ridden like a pedal bike: no registration, tax, insurance or licence. The motor must be 250 W continuous or less, assistance must stop at 15.5 mph (25 km/h), and the motor should only help while you pedal, apart from walk-assist up to 6 km/h.
A bike outside these limits is treated as a motor vehicle and needs type approval, registration, tax, insurance and a licence. Check the official rules on gov.uk; Northern Ireland has its own rules on nidirect.
Try our UK e-bike law check with the figures from a listing.
Guides on this topic
- UK e-bike law explainedThe EAPC rules for e-bikes in Great Britain: 250 W motor, assistance to 15.5 mph, pedal assist only, a rider age of 14 and what happens if a bike goes beyond them.Guide
- UK e-bike law changes: what has changed and what is proposedHow UK e-bike rules changed in 2015 and 2016, why proposals and enforcement news come up, and how to check gov.uk for the rules in force before you buy or ride.Guide
- Off-road only e-bikes: 1000 W kits and 30 mph bikes explainedWhat off-road only means on 1000 W, 2000 W and 30 mph e-bike listings, why they count as motor vehicles on UK roads and paths, and where private land fits in.Guide
- E-bike vs moped: where the law draws the lineThe point where an e-bike stops being an EAPC and becomes a moped in UK law, needing registration, tax, insurance, a licence and a helmet, plus how they compare.Comparison
- E-bike vs electric scooter in the UKWhy a 250 W EAPC e-bike can be ridden on UK roads while a privately owned e-scooter cannot, plus how range, carrying, storage and comfort compare day to day.Comparison
- Are e-bike throttles legal in the UK?When an e-bike throttle is allowed in Great Britain, why walk assist stops at 6 km/h, how older bikes differ and why twist-and-go usually means a motor vehicle.Guide
- What the EAPC plate on an e-bike must showWhat an EAPC plate must show on a UK e-bike: maker, continuous rated power and battery voltage or maximum assisted speed, plus where to find it on the frame.Guide
- Do you need insurance for an e-bike in the UK?Insurance is not a legal requirement for a UK EAPC e-bike, but theft, damage and third-party cover are worth weighing up. What each type covers and what to ask.Guide
- Are e-bike conversion kits legal in the UK?When a converted bike counts as an EAPC in Great Britain: 250 W rated motor, assist cut at 15.5 mph, pedal assist, throttle limits and the plate details to fit.Guide