🇩🇪 Riding laws in Germany

Germany allows privately owned e-scooters from age 14 if the model has a German ABE approval and carries an insurance sticker, and treats pedelecs up to 25 km/h and 250 W as bicycles. Speed pedelecs and mopeds need EU type approval, an insurance plate, an AM licence and a helmet.

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 limit20 km/h (12 mph)
Power limit500 W rated
Weight limit55 kg
Minimum age14
HelmetRecommended, not required
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceNot required for adults
ApprovalGeneral type approval (ABE) under the eKFV
Where to rideCycle paths, cycle lanes and cycle streets first; if there are none, the road (outside towns also the hard shoulder); never pavements or pedestrian zones unless a sign allows e-scooters.
NotesSelf-balancing types may have up to 1,400 W. No passengers; car drink-drive limits apply (0.5‰, zero under 21 or on probation). Riding on the pavement costs €15. Indicators are compulsory on scooters first sold from 1 January 2027 (and on new types approved since 1 April 2026); scooters on the road by 31 March 2026 are exempt. Since 1 April 2026 visitors may ride scooters kept in another EU/EEA country with that country's equivalent approval and insurance. From 1 March 2027 e-scooters follow cycling rules in the StVO: pavement riding €25, phone use €55 instead of €100.

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
HelmetRecommended, not required
InsuranceNo
Plate or stickerNo
LicenceNot required for adults
Where to rideTreated as a bicycle: use cycle paths where blue signs make them compulsory, otherwise the road or a right-hand cycle path; not pavements.
NotesPush or start assist up to 6 km/h without pedalling is allowed. A throttle, more than 250 W or assistance beyond 25 km/h makes it a motor vehicle with insurance-plate and licence rules.

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 age15
HelmetRequired
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceAM (included in car licence B)
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to rideOn the road like a moped: not on cycle paths unless a local sign allows S-pedelecs, and never on pavements, motorways or expressways.
NotesLegally a Kleinkraftrad (light moped): no registration, but an insurance plate (Versicherungskennzeichen) valid from 1 March to the end of February. AM can be taken at 15 but is valid only in Germany until 16. Car drink-drive limits apply.

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 age15
HelmetRequired
InsuranceYes
Plate or stickerYes
LicenceAM (included in car licence B)
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to rideOn the road only: not on cycle paths unless signed, and never on pavements, motorways or expressways (Kraftfahrstraßen).
NotesNo registration: an insurance plate (Versicherungskennzeichen) valid from 1 March to the end of February replaces the number plate. AM can be taken at 15 but is valid only in Germany until 16. Mofas and throttle e-bikes limited to 25 km/h need only a Mofa test certificate (minimum age 15) and may use cycle paths outside built-up areas.

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 with code 196 from age 25, Germany only), A2 up to 35 kW, A above that
ApprovalEU type approval
Where to ridePublic roads, including motorways and expressways if its design top speed is over 60 km/h; never cycle paths or pavements.
NotesA1 limits are 125 cc, 11 kW and 0.1 kW/kg. Needs a standard number plate. Code 196 requires five years on licence B and a training course.

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 MaxNot road-legal as sold
Ausom L1Not road-legal as sold
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 ProNot road-legal as sold
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 IINot road-legal as sold
NAVEE N65i II (German version)Not confirmed
NIU KQi 300XNot road-legal as sold
NIU KQi AirNot road-legal as sold
NIU KQi Air DERoad-legal with conditions
NIU KQi3 ProNot road-legal as sold
NIU KQi3 Pro DERoad-legal with conditions
OneSport OT05Road-legal
OUXI V8Not confirmed
Pure Air⁶ SuspensionNot road-legal as sold
Rockrider E-EXPL 100Not confirmed
SAMEBIKE CY20Not confirmed
Segway Ninebot E2 Pro ENot road-legal as sold
Segway Ninebot F2 Pro ENot road-legal as sold
Segway Ninebot F3 ENot road-legal as sold
Segway Ninebot Max G2 ENot road-legal as sold
Segway Ninebot Max G3 DNot confirmed
Segway Ninebot Max G3 ENot road-legal as sold
Segway SuperScooter GT3 ENot road-legal as sold
Segway ZT3 Pro DNot confirmed
Segway ZT3 Pro ENot road-legal as sold
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 5Not road-legal as sold
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 DERoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 MaxNot road-legal as sold
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Max DENot confirmed
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 ProNot road-legal as sold
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Pro DERoad-legal with conditions
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6Not road-legal as sold
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 ProNot road-legal as sold
Zoom StryderNot road-legal as sold

Official sources

  1. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ekfv/BJNR075610019.html
  2. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ekfv/__1.html
  3. https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2026/32/VO.html
  4. https://www.kba.de/EN/Themen_en/Typgenehmigung_en/Informationen_TGV_en/ABE_Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge_en/ABE_Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge_node_en.html
  5. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvg/__1.html
  6. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvg/__24a.html
  7. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvg/__24c.html
  8. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__2.html
  9. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__18.html
  10. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__21a.html
  11. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__4.html
  12. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__6.html
  13. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__6b.html
  14. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__10.html
  15. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fzv_2023/__3.html
  16. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fzv_2023/__52.html
  17. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bkatv_2013/anlage.html
  18. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/168/oj
  19. https://www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/StV/Strassenverkehr/elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-verordnung-faq.html
  20. https://www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/DE/Publikationen/StV/pedelec-flyer.pdf?__blob=publicationFile