🇫🇷 Riding laws in France

France allows privately owned e-scooters from age 14 at up to 25 km/h with compulsory third-party insurance, and treats 250 W / 25 km/h e-bikes as ordinary bicycles. Anything faster, including 45 km/h speed pedelecs, is a moped that needs type approval, registration, insurance, a helmet and gloves.

Checked 9 Nov 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice.

Electric scooters

Stand-up e-scooters (personal light electric vehicles).

StatusAllowed on public roads
Speed limit25 km/h (16 mph)
Minimum age14
HelmetRecommended, not required
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerNo
LicenceNot required for adults
Where to rideIn built-up areas use cycle lanes or tracks where they exist, otherwise roads limited to 50 km/h; outside built-up areas only greenways and cycle tracks (or 80 km/h roads where the local authority allows it, helmet compulsory), and never on pavements unless the mayor allows it at walking pace.
NotesClassed as an EDPM (engin de déplacement personnel motorisé); minimum age raised from 12 to 14 by decree 2023-848 (in force 1 September 2023). One rider only, no headphones, lights, reflectors, brakes and a horn compulsory, reflective gear at night or in poor visibility. Fines of €135 for riding where not allowed or carrying a passenger; a device built to exceed 25 km/h is a fifth-class offence (up to €1,500); riding uninsured is up to €3,750 (€500 fixed fine). Local prefectoral orders make a helmet and reflective gear compulsory at all times in Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne since 7 August 2026 (€135 / €35), and also in Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes and Yonne; Vaucluse requires a helmet. Seated "cyclomobiles légers" (max 30 kg) follow the same riding rules.

Pedal-assist e-bikes (EPAC)

Motor helps only while you pedal, up to 25 km/h and 250 W rated power.

StatusAllowed on public roads
Speed limit25 km/h (16 mph)
Power limit250 W rated
HelmetRequired for younger riders (under 12)
InsuranceNo
Plate or stickerNo
LicenceNot required for adults
Where to rideTreated as a bicycle, so ride on the road or on cycle lanes and tracks (compulsory where signed), never on motorways or pavements, though children under 8 on small bikes count as pedestrians.
NotesA VAE (cycle à pédalage assisté) has a motor of at most 250 W continuous rated power that assists only while pedalling and cuts out at 25 km/h. Riders and passengers under 12 must wear a fastened helmet; the supervising adult risks up to €750 (usually €135). Third-party insurance is not compulsory but strongly recommended. Bikes sold by retailers must carry an identification marking (new bikes since 1 January 2021, used bikes since 1 July 2021). Derestricted e-bikes and e-bikes over 250 W or assisting beyond 25 km/h are mopeds that must be registered.

Speed pedelecs

Pedal assist up to 45 km/h, type-approved as L1e-B.

StatusAllowed under moped or motorcycle rules
Speed limit45 km/h (28 mph)
Power limit4,000 W rated
Minimum age14
HelmetRequired
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceAM (BSR) or any other licence category if born on or after 1 January 1988
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to rideOn the road like any moped, on cycle lanes and tracks only where the local police authority has opened them to mopeds, and never on motorways.
NotesFrance has no separate speed-pedelec category; an e-bike assisting up to 45 km/h is a moped (cyclomoteur, L1e-B) with all moped rules. Approved helmet and CE-marked gloves compulsory for rider and passenger (€135 and €68 fixed fines). Riding uninsured is up to €3,750 (€500 fixed fine).

Mopeds and light e-motos

Up to 45 km/h: e-mopeds, throttle e-bikes and approved light e-motos.

StatusAllowed under moped or motorcycle rules
Speed limit45 km/h (28 mph)
Power limit4,000 W rated
Minimum age14
HelmetRequired
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceAM (BSR) or any other licence category if born on or after 1 January 1988; none needed if born earlier
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to rideOn the road, on cycle lanes and tracks only where the local police authority has opened them to mopeds, and never on motorways.
NotesCovers 50 cc scooters and electric mopeds up to 4 kW and 45 km/h, including e-bikes over 250 W or assisting beyond 25 km/h (L1e-A or L1e-B). Approved helmet with reflective markings and CE-marked gloves compulsory for rider and passenger (€135 and €68 fixed fines). Periodic roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) for L-category vehicles since 15 April 2024; vehicles first registered in 2020–2021 must pass by 31 December 2026, later ones in the 6 months before their 5th anniversary, then every 3 years.

Motorcycles

Faster electric motorbikes, such as L3e-A1 models.

StatusAllowed under moped or motorcycle rules
Minimum age16
HelmetRequired
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceA1 up to 11 kW (from 16, or B held for 2 years plus a 7-hour course), A2 up to 35 kW, A above that
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to rideAll public roads including motorways, with lane filtering allowed only on motorways and dual carriageways (70–130 km/h) when traffic queues at 50 km/h or less.
NotesA1 light motorcycles are limited to 125 cc and 11 kW. Approved helmet and CE-marked gloves compulsory (€135 fixed fine and 3 points; €68 and 1 point). Lane filtering legal nationwide since 11 January 2025 (decree 2025-33), max 50 km/h. Periodic roadworthiness test for L-category vehicles since 15 April 2024; vehicles first registered in 2020–2021 must pass by 31 December 2026, later ones in the 6 months before their 5th anniversary, then every 3 years.

Models we cover, as sold

ADO Air 20SNot confirmed
ADO Air 28 ProRoad-legal
ADO Air 30 ProRoad-legal
Ampler NovaRoad-legal
Ausom DT2 ProNot road-legal as sold
Ausom F1 MaxRoad-legal with conditions
Ausom L1Road-legal with conditions
Ausom L1 ABERoad-legal with conditions
Brompton Electric C Line with Advance Roller Frame - e-Motiq system - 4-speedRoad-legal
BTWIN E-Fold 500Road-legal
Canyon Precede:ON 6Road-legal
Carrera CrossfuseRoad-legal
Cowboy CrossRoad-legal
Cowboy CruiserRoad-legal
Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 800Road-legal
DYU C6Not confirmed
DYU D3SRoad-legal
Egret Pro FXRoad-legal with conditions
Eleglide Mopride 2Road-legal
ENGWE E26Road-legal
ENGWE Engine Pro 2.0Not confirmed
ENGWE Engine XNot confirmed
ENGWE EP-2 BoostRoad-legal
ENGWE EP-2 ProNot confirmed
ENGWE L20 3.0 BoostRoad-legal
ENGWE M20Not confirmed
ENGWE N1 ProRoad-legal
ENGWE P20Not confirmed
ENGWE P275 ProRoad-legal
ENGWE X26Not confirmed
Fafrees F20 ProRoad-legal
Fiido AirRoad-legal
Fiido C11 ProRoad-legal
Fiido C21Road-legal
Fiido D11Road-legal
Fiido M1 ProRoad-legal
Fiido TitanRoad-legal
Fiido XRoad-legal
Gazelle Ultimate C380Road-legal
Hiboy MAX ProRoad-legal with conditions
Himiway C5 UltraRoad-legal
Himiway D5 (Zebra)Not confirmed
iENYRID M4 Pro S+Not road-legal as sold
iENYRID M4 Pro S+ MaxNot road-legal as sold
iScooter i9MaxNot road-legal as sold
isinwheel S9Pro ABERoad-legal with conditions
JOBOBIKE SamNot confirmed
Joyor S5 Pro ABERoad-legal with conditions
Kaabo Mantis 10 PlusNot road-legal as sold
Kawasaki Z e-1Road-legal with conditions
KuKirin G2Not road-legal as sold
KuKirin G2 MaxNot road-legal as sold
KuKirin G2 ProNot road-legal as sold
KuKirin G3Not road-legal as sold
KuKirin G4Not road-legal as sold
Lankeleisi X3000Plus-UPNot confirmed
Maeving RM1Road-legal with conditions
Maeving RM1SRoad-legal with conditions
MATE X EVORoad-legal
Mukuta 10 PlusNot road-legal as sold
NAVEE N65i IIRoad-legal with conditions
NAVEE N65i II (German version)Road-legal with conditions
NIU KQi 300XRoad-legal with conditions
NIU KQi AirRoad-legal with conditions
NIU KQi Air DERoad-legal with conditions
NIU KQi3 ProRoad-legal with conditions
NIU KQi3 Pro DERoad-legal with conditions
OneSport OT05Road-legal
OUXI V8Not confirmed
Pure Air⁶ SuspensionRoad-legal with conditions
Rockrider E-EXPL 100Not confirmed
SAMEBIKE CY20Not confirmed
Segway Ninebot E2 Pro ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway Ninebot F2 Pro ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway Ninebot F3 ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway Ninebot Max G2 ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway Ninebot Max G3 DRoad-legal with conditions
Segway Ninebot Max G3 ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway SuperScooter GT3 ERoad-legal with conditions
Segway ZT3 Pro DRoad-legal with conditions
Segway ZT3 Pro ERoad-legal with conditions
SoFlow SO4 Pro Max 2Road-legal with conditions
Specialized Turbo Vado 3 4.0Not confirmed
Stark VARG EXRoad-legal with conditions
Stark VARG MX 1.2Not road-legal as sold
Stromer ST3 PinionRoad-legal with conditions
Super Soco TC MaxRoad-legal with conditions
Sur-Ron Light Bee L1eRoad-legal with conditions
Sur-Ron Light Bee XNot road-legal as sold
Sur-Ron Storm BeeNot confirmed
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP TNot confirmed
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP XNot road-legal as sold
Talaria Sting R MX4Not road-legal as sold
Talaria X3 MX ProNot road-legal as sold
Talaria XXX L1eRoad-legal with conditions
Tern GSD S10 (Gen 3)Road-legal
Touroll J1 STRoad-legal
Urban Arrow Family Active Line PlusRoad-legal
VanMoof S6Road-legal
VSETT 9+Not road-legal as sold
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5Road-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 DERoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 MaxRoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Max DERoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 ProRoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Pro DERoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6Road-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 ProRoad-legal with conditions
Zoom StryderNot road-legal as sold

Official sources

  1. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F308
  2. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A19037
  3. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/id/LEGISCTA000045025526
  4. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000045025478
  5. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000039276031
  6. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A16745
  7. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2697
  8. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000033460260
  9. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F32294
  10. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000042558926
  11. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/id/LEGISCTA000006159608
  12. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000006842313
  13. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F12789
  14. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F45
  15. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F34168
  16. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F37538
  17. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A17992