Complying with UK laws on an overpowered ebike

[Memran]

With all the recent discussions regarding legislation changes and my own frustration at not being able to do what I want legally, I am wondering what would be necessary to comply with the laws on a more powerful ebike.

As I understand it, if you are over the 200w (or soon 250w) limit your bike is classed as a moped, and so requires tax, mot, insurance, and a licence.

My driver's licence allows me to ride a < 50cc moped without CBT, and without L plates.
Also, I could get public liability insurance.

So that leaves tax and MOT.

What would need to be done to get the remainder of the legalities in order?

 

[flecc]

With a kit bike, you need to take it through single vehicle type approval as a moped. Below is the detail you need in a post I've made previously about high speed bikes, the needs are the same for over-powered ones. You'd need the first level "low power moped" test at £56 if it was under 1000 watts and restricted to 15 mph, the second level test at an £85 fee if it was faster.

Then in every respect you treat it as a moped, registration, rear number plate, compulsory third party moped insurance, road tax displayed but free for electrics, approved motor cycle type helmet:

Link to details
.

 

[piotrmacheta]

4 years ago I imported a motorbike from Italy and this had to go through an SVA test. The paperwork was relatively straightforward but they were very picky on the test. In the end it failed on the sharpness of the front mudguard and had to be retested with a small rubber protector fitted.
So in summary it is not too difficult to arrange but you may need to modify your bike for it to pass.

 

[dan]

4 years ago I imported a motorbike from Italy and this had to go through an SVA test. The paperwork was relatively straightforward but they were very picky on the test. In the end it failed on the sharpness of the front mudguard and had to be retested with a small rubber protector fitted.
So in summary it is not too difficult to arrange but you may need to modify your bike for it to pass.

Ditto...I imported an electric moped and got caught with exactly the same, sharpness of the front mudguard and used the same solution. maybe they do it to everybody.

 

[Northern Irelander]

Sounds like too much hassle just to get a bicycle legal.

Why not just get an e-moped or scooter and do faster speeds, is there even any tax on e-scooters?

Each to their own, good luck with that, personally I'd keep it below 250w and just accept the limitations, it's a bicycle after all.

 

[monster]

once you get it passed you then have to get insurance. no insurance company is going to insure you on a vehicle that is not in their computer database. before you go through the hurdles i suggest you phone insurance companies so that you understand that problem too.

 

[monster]

i tried to make a legal ebike about 3 years ago. its wasn't worth the hastle. the punishment for riding a mini-moto is just a slap on the wrist. they only confiscate the mini-moto if you are caught a second time. i think we still need to wait for more of a critical mass of electric bikes before we can make fast ones legal. i remember the ppl at the DVLA/VOSA had to call their boss and have a big discussion before they could even decide what classification the bike should be in. They keep telling me that it was a bicycle and didn't need clasification. the cost of getting a vehicle classified as moped could easilt run into £500-£1000. i haven't ever seen anyone that has done it. anyone?

 

[flecc]

once you get it passed you then have to get insurance. no insurance company is going to insure you on a vehicle that is not in their computer database. before you go through the hurdles i suggest you phone insurance companies so that you understand that problem too.

Yes. I warned of this in the linked article I posted above. The main insurance companies would be a waste of time, it would be necessary to go through a broker experienced with two wheeler insurance and you'd probably end up with a Lloyds insurance. It is possible though, anything is insurable.
.