City mobile transport with an electric motor seems to be the perfect embodiment of a dream - it is environmentally friendly, convenient and completely autonomous. You can move without paying attention to traffic jams and timetables, but at the same time have a good time. But in practice, owning an electric scooter imposes on its owner not only rights, but also obligations. And one of them directly relates to compliance with traffic rules, which, although they do not distinguish this type of transport in a separate category, still apply to any motor vehicle. Do you need rights to an electric scooter? Where, and how can I drive a low-power personal transport with an eco-friendly engine? What electric scooters do I need documents for, what threatens their absence?
All these questions are of great interest among outdoor enthusiasts. To answer them, it is worth exploring in more detail: how and where they give out rights to electric scooters with a motor with a power of more than 250 watts.
What models do I need a driver's license for?
When choosing a model of an electric scooter, riders now need to pay attention not only to the design of the vehicle or brand awareness. We'll have to take into account both engine power and speed characteristics of the purchased device. This is due to the fact that Since 2014, the same rules continue to apply to electric scooters with a motor power of no more than 250 watts as for pedestrians. This category includes all children's, and most teenage models, developing speed of not more than 25 km / h.
It is forbidden to operate any electric scooters whose characteristics are beyond 250 W of power without a driver's license of category M, A1, B. Accordingly, there is no point in choosing a powerful device for a teenager under 16 years old. He simply will not be able to ride on the purchased equipment until he passes training at a driving school. Which electric scooters fall under the law? Any popular version of such equipment with the power specified in the passport 300, 350, 500 watts or more. Exceptions are not provided. Another point worth considering: the speed being developed.
If the power limit of an electric scooter is about 2000 W, then speed limits (and they are also prescribed in the SDA) can play a cruel joke with the owner of a motor vehicle.
Technology that accelerates from 50 to 100 km / h is equated to light motorcycles, it is also impossible to operate it without rights. But if for a standard electric scooter category M or B is enough, for a speed one you will need the presence of A1 mark in the rights.
SDA for this category of transport
The 2014 SDA applicable in Russia quite clearly defines the concept of vehicles for which a driver’s license is required. All motor vehicles with gasoline or electric engines with a volume of not more than 50 m3, and 1,2,3 wheels belong to category M. This includes today mopeds, segways, hoverboards, electric scooters, to manage which since 2014 requires a course of study, and passing exams in the traffic police.
It is worth considering the power range. - for category M on electric vehicles it is installed in the range of 250-4000 watts. To register with the traffic police such a transport is not required. If the electric scooter turns out to be more powerful or its speed characteristics exceed 50 km / h, you can only drive a vehicle if you have the A1 license category corresponding to light motorcycles. The absence of a driver’s license or category established by law entails, in case of detection of an offense by the traffic police inspector:
- the imposition of penalties in the form of pecuniary punishment in the amount of up to 15,000 rubles;
- seizure of a vehicle with a parking lot.
When driving on an electric scooter with a power of more than 250 W to the sidewalks and pedestrian paths with the engine turned on, the driver will be fined even if there are rights to drive vehicles. The collection will amount to 500-2000 rubles. For electric scooters moving along public roads, requirements are set for moving only in the far right row, with permission to rebuild to the left only when turning. On equipment with a power of less than 250 watts, it is allowed to move only where it is allowed to bicycles and non-motorized vehicles. Departure on them on the carriageway is strictly prohibited.
Where can I get rights?
To obtain a M category driving license to drive an electric scooter to a prospective road user will have to go through moped driving training. It is carried out by accredited driving schools and consists of 72-105 hours of theory and 18 hours of practical movement around the training ground, where the conditions are close to the real situation on the road. Without this mandatory step, it will be impossible to get a document today.
Since 2014, driving schools themselves can take the exam, if they have the necessary technical support. If it is not, you will have to hand it over in the territorial branch of the traffic police.
No additional effort is required to obtain a Category M driver license if A1 or B is available. It is counted automatically, with such a document you can ride an electric scooter along the roadway. If you purchase a vehicle with an engine capacity of more than 50 m3, developing a speed of more than 50 km / h, it falls under the category of light motorcycles. Category M will not be enough, you will have to undergo training again and receive rights marked A1.
It will not work to become the holder of a driver's license of category M to people registered in the IPA or drug addiction clinic. There are also limitations on visual acuity. In any case, it is mandatory to receive and provide a certificate from the clinic about the state of health in the established form to the traffic police.
How many years have they been issued?
You can obtain the right to drive vehicles with a motor with a power of more than 250 W and speed characteristics up to 50 km / h after reaching 16 years. The driver must be trained in a driving school before first entering the streets or roads within the city and suburban routes.
To control equipment with a power of up to 250 W, equivalent to bicycles and non-motorized vehicles, you will not need rights, but the rider himself must be 14 years old to ride on pedestrian and bicycle paths, sidewalks and residential areas alone. Until this time, he must be under the control of his parents.
It is important to note that the age limit of 16 years is established not only for category M. All electric scooters with speed characteristics of more than 50 km / h and an engine capacity of more than 50 cm3 are equated to light motorcycles.
It means that rights will have to be obtained in category A1, and it also provides for the possibility of obtaining rights to control equipment after reaching the age of 16.
On whether you need rights to an electric scooter, see below.
