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Do you need a licence for a scooter?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 17, 2026

However, when it comes to riding a scooter, most people are unsure what type of licence and training they need. In order to ride both 50cc and 125cc scooters, you need to pass Compulsory Basic Training. This can be done from the age of 16 onwards, and the certificate is valid for two years.

Can you drive a scooter without a license?

Yes, if you have a full car licence you can ride a 125cc scooter or motorbike off-road. However, you must take and pass your compulsory basic training (CBT) before riding on the road.

Do you need a driving licence for an electric scooter UK?

Electric scooters are classified as motor vehicles, and so all riders must have a valid driver's license and be over the age of 16 to ride them. The laws around electric scooter riding are constantly evolving.

Do you need a license to drive a Moped UK?

To ride on public roads you first need to get a provisional licence and then complete compulsory basic training ( CBT ) to get a certificate. You must pass both parts of your practical test within 2 years of taking the theory test. If you do not, you'll have to start the process again.

Is riding a scooter illegal?

Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on roads, cycle lanes and just about anywhere else you can think of. This is because of an old law dating back to the 1800s. Anyone who does ride their own scooter could face a hefty fine and six points on their current or future driver's licence.

45 related questions found

Are scooters legal in UK?

Currently, it is legal to buy and own an e-scooter for personal use. However, under UK law, e-scooters, alongside hoverboards and electric unicycles, are considered “powered transporters”.

Why are e-scooters illegal?

TfL said its review had found incidents with e-scooters had been caused by "defective lithium-ion batteries which ruptured without warning" and "led to fires that caused toxic smoke to be released". E-scooters have been banned from all public transport in London from today.

Can you ride a moped at 14 in the UK?

However, in the UK, you are not allowed to ride a moped from the age of fourteen. You must be the youngest age, which is currently sixteen. What you could ride at fourteen, though, is an electric bike.

Can I ride a 125cc on a car licence?

As stated above, if you have a full car driving licence you can ride a motorcycle up to 125cc, but you need to have completed your CBT first. This is just a day long course that begins with basic motorbike training in a car park and then finishes with you riding the motorbike yourself out on the road.

Can I drive a motorhome with a car license?

To drive the smaller motorhomes and campervans weighing less than 3,500kg, your car driving licence (category B) will usually be sufficient. There is a date dependent (01/01/1997) change in the category that allows drivers who passed before that date to drive any vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.

Can a 12 year old ride an electric scooter?

How old should you be to ride an electric scooter? Most electric scooter companies (including Razor) recommends a minimum age of 8 years old. If you kid is not over 8 years old, it would be better to start off with a kick scooter as they are more suitable for little kids.

Can you use a scooter on the pavement?

In 2006, the BBC stated that “scooters and skateboards cannot legally be used on pavements…as they have no right of way over pedestrians”. Pedestrians having right of way does not mean the same thing as scooters being illegal on pavements.

Are electric scooters legal in the UK 2021?

E-scooters are not illegal in the UK and you can buy, sell and own one perfectly legally. However, it is illegal to use an e-scooter in public unless it is rented as part of a recognised trial scheme.

How fast is a 50cc moped?

On average, the top speed of a 50cc moped is between 25-30mph. To get the most accurate answer, though, we need to look at all the factors that affect the speed of a 50cc moped, starting with the legal restrictions.

Can I ride a 49cc moped without a CBT?

You can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates. You do not need to take a CBT course or take the full moped test. You must take CBT if you want to ride anything larger than a 50cc moped.

What's the difference between a moped and a scooter?

Basically, if there's a platform where you can put your feet while you are riding, what you are riding is a scooter. If it's under 50cc then legally it's classed as a moped. Generally, scooters are more expensive than mopeds, which is unsurprising given their advantages in terms of power and engine size.

Can I ride 250cc on a CBT?

You can ride up to 125cc with a valid CBT certificate. (or a full motorcycle licence category A) A 250cc motorcycle will required a full motorcycle licence.

How much is a CBT UK?

If you already have that - or a full UK driving licence - you can skip this step. How much does the CBT certificate cost? A CBT (compulsory basic training) test can cost between £130 to £170, but the price can vary between instructors. The certificate is valid for two years.

How fast is 125 cc's?

How Fast Is a 125cc Dirt Bike? On average, the top speed of a 125cc dirt bike ranges from 55 to 60 mph. Most riders, however, will not run at these maximum speeds, since they are often young people who are yet to master the skill of dirt riding.

Where is it legal to drive at 14?

What is the minimum age to drive in the USA? The minimum age to drive in the USA is just 16 in some states, however other states require you to be at least 18. You can obtain a learner's permit in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North and South Dakota at just 14 years old.

Is a Vespa a moped?

Is a Vespa a scooter or a moped? A Vespa is an iconic Italian bike and many people asked if it is a scooter or a moped. The truth is, it's both. Vespa is an uber cool bike brand manufactured by Piaggio, founded by Rinaldo Piaggio in 1884, and now headquartered in Pontedera, Italy.

What vehicles can I drive at 16 UK?

In the new year, 16-year-olds will be able to legally drive some cars on the UK's roads. A new category of moped licence is being introduced on 19 January 2013. It will allow people aged 16 and over to drive so-called 'light quadricycles'.

Can you get fined for riding an electric scooter?

Privately owned electric scooters can only be used on private land. Using a privately owned electric scooter on public land can see you receive: a Fixed Penalty Notice for no insurance, with a £300 fine and six penalty points. a Fixed Penalty Notice for no driving licence, up to £100 fine and three to six penalty ...

Can a 10 year old ride an electric scooter?

For your child's safety, we recommend only children aged 8 and over, with a maximum weight limit of 60kg or 80kg depending on the model, should ride electric scooters. This is because children of this age have better motor skills and awareness of their surroundings to control the scooter safely.

Why are electric bikes OK but not scooters?

The law treats the e-scooter very differently, at least at present. The electric scooter is a powered vehicle (technically a Personal Light Electric Vehicle), and therefore unlike the e-bike, it is classed as a motor vehicle under the road traffic legislation.