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Road Users

E-bikes and E-mopeds

New rules and how to follow them.

From 20 May 2024, the laws in Ireland will change to classify different types of electric bikes. The information on this page offers an explanation of these vehicle categories and the rules that apply.

Moped driver

Types of electric bikes

In Ireland, e-bike means a bicycle with an electric motor up to 250 Watts. It is pedalled, or pedal assisted, and the motor cuts out when pedaling stops or the speed reaches 25kph. E-bikes are treated as regular bicycles and can be used in cycle lanes.

Under the new legislation, more powerful pedal assisted e-bikes and bicycles operating on the motor alone (throttle assisted) are categorised as mechanically propelled vehicles (MPV*s), and are called e-mopedsE-mopeds are more powerful electric bicycles and there are two types:

  1. L1e-A:  this is a pedal assisted e-moped, with a maximum speed of 25kph and maximum power of up to 1,000 Watts.
  2. L1e-B: this is a two wheeled moped, with a maximum speed of 45kph and maximum power of 4,000 Watts.
Moped driver
Type E-bike e-moped   

E-bikeL1e-A
 L1e-BL1e-B
SpecificationLow-power Medium powered e-mopedHigher powered 2-wheel moped / S-PedelecElectric motor powered e-moped (throttle) 
Minimum age for use in public? None 16 yrs 16 yrs 16 yrs
What is the max continuous rated power my vehicle can be?
250W 1kW 4kW 4kW
What is the max speed I can do?
25km/h 25km/h 45km/h 45km/h
Pedalling required?
Yes Yes Yes No
Does my vehicle need EU-Type approval? N/A Yes Yes Yes
Does my vehicle have to be registered?
No Yes Yes Yes
Does my vehicle need motor tax?
No Yes Yes Yes
Do I need insurance?
No No No Yes
Do I have to wear protective equipment? Advised Yes Yes Yes
Do I need a driver’s licence? No No Yes Yes
Can I use the footpath?
No No No No
Can I use the cycle lane?
Yes No No No
Can I use the bus lane?
Yes No No No
Am I allowed on local/regional routes? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Am I allowed on national roads? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Am I allowed on motorways?
No No No No

E-bike FAQs

IMPORTANT! These FAQs are meant as a guide only. They are not an interpretation of the law. For legal advice, please consult your solicitor.

An e-bike is a pedal assisted electric bicycle with an electric motor for propulsion and its own battery system. It has a maximum continuous rated output of 250 Watts and cuts out before reaching 25km/h. An e-bike is regarded under Irish law as equivalent to a conventional bicycle.

E-bike users must:

  • Drive on the left, including in cycle and bus lanes. 
  • Obey the rules of the road.
  • Obey signals given by a Garda or school warden.
  • Obey all traffic lights, including bicycle traffic lights.
  • Obey all traffic signs in the same way that they apply to cyclists.
  • Not use the footpath.
  • Obey all posted speed limits. 
  • Not hold or use a mobile phone.

E-bikes are treated as bicycles. There is no law against children riding them in a public place, however we strongly recommend that young children are always supervised.

Yes. E-bikes are treated as regular bicycles and may be used in cycle and bus lanes. 

E-bikes will be permitted:

  • to use cycle and bus lanes.
  • to use local, regional and national roads.

E-bikes will not be permitted:

  • to be used on footpaths, pedestrianised areas or on motorways. 

In addition, where a bicycle is not permitted, e-bikes are not permitted either. Rules that cover bicycles also apply to e-bikes.

Fixed charge notices for bicycles and e-bikesFine
No front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours. €40
Cycling in a public place without reasonable consideration for others. €40
Failure to obey traffic lights. €40
Failure to obey traffic lights / signs at railway level crossing. €40
Cycling into a pedestrianised area other than in a cycle lane. €40
Failure to obey cycle traffic lights. €40
Failure to stop for a school warden stop sign. €80

 

No. A driving licence is not required for an e-bike where the maximum speed is less than 25kph and the maximum power is less than 250 Watts.

For an e-bike, protective equipment such as helmets and high visibility clothing are strongly recommended but not legally required, however by law you must have front and rear lights on your e-bike and these must be switched on during lighting up hours and periods of darkness.

An e-bike may not be used while under the influence of an intoxicant. An e-bike user charged with this offence will face a court appearance and can be fined up to €2000.

You should only buy an e-bike from a reputable retailer or distributor, and checks should be carried out to ensure:

  • The e-bike is CE marked, with details of manufacturer, date of manufacture and designation/serial number on its CE plate. 
  • A Declaration of Conformity must be provided with the e-bike, drawn up and signed by the manufacturer declaring the e-bike is in full compliance with the Machinery Directive and relevant standards.

Be wary of e-bikes with a price that appears too good to be true. These may not comply with the legislation or safety standards and may not be safe for use.


E-moped FAQs

IMPORTANT! These FAQs are meant as a guide only. They are not an interpretation of the law. For legal advice, please consult your solicitor.

E-mopeds are more powerful electric bicycles and there are two types:

  • L1e-A: this is a pedal assisted e-moped, with a maximum speed of 25kph and maximum continuous rated power of up to 1,000 Watts.
  • L1e-B: this is a throttle assisted e-moped, with a maximum speed of 45kph and maximum continuous rated power of 4,000 Watts.

From 20 May 2024, e-mopeds will be legal to use on Irish roads. E-moped users must:

  • Drive on the left.
  • Obey the rules of the road.
  • Obey signals given by a Garda or school warden.
  • Obey all traffic lights.
  • Obey all traffic signs in the same way that they apply to other motorists.
  • Not use the footpath.
  • Obey all posted speed limits.
  • Not hold or use a mobile phone.

No. E-mopeds are Mechanically Propelled Vehicles* (MPVs), the same as a car or motorbike, so it is illegal for a person under 16 to use one in a public place. 

L1e-A e-mopeds can use cycle and bus lanes.

L1e-B e-mopeds are not allowed in cycle or bus lanes, as these are technically mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs)* and therefore treated the same as a motorbike.

All e-mopeds are classed as Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (MPVs)*, like a car or motorbike, and therefore the same penalty points and related fines apply.

See a full list of Penalty Point offences

This depends on the type of e-moped:

  • A driving licence is not needed for an L1e-A (pedal assisted e-moped, with a max speed of 25kph and max continuous rated power of up to 1,000 Watts).
  • The more powerful L1e-B needs a moped (category AM) driving licence. These are two wheeled mopeds with a max speed of 45kph and max continuous rated power of 4,000 Watts.

Learn more about this licensing journey

You are automatically entitled to an AM licence where:

  • you have held any motorbike category (A1, A2, A) licence in the previous 10 years.
  • you were issued with a category B (car) driving licence before 21 October 2006, provided your category B driving licence has not expired by 10 years or more since then.

All e-mopeds must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners however, they are currently exempt from Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT).

Your e-moped must have a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer, otherwise it can’t be registered. If it can't be registered, it can't be used in a public place. Please refer to the Revenue website for more information on what is required to register your e-moped.

Yes. Annual motor tax must be paid for both types of e-moped and a valid motor tax disc displayed when used in a public place. If you do not intend to use the vehicle in a public place, you must declare it off the road in advance. For more information, please contact your local motor tax office.

This depends on the power. Pedal assisted e-mopeds do not require insurance but throttle assisted e-mopeds that go above 25 km/h must have insurance. For more information, please contact your insurance provider.

For all e-mopeds (either L1e-A or B), you are legally required to wear an approved motorcycle helmet and have lighting on the front and rear of your e-moped, as for motorbikes. Protective clothing and high-vis clothing are strongly recommended for your own safety but not legally required. 

No. However, under road traffic law, the owner and driver must ensure their vehicle is in a roadworthy condition when used in a public place. All parts and equipment must be in good working order. Failure to do so can result in prosecution.

An e-moped may not be used while under the influence of an intoxicant. An e-moped user charged with this offence will face the same penalties as a motorist, including penalty points.

No. Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 (as amended) prohibits the supply of any MPV, including e-mopeds to a person under the age of 16.


*Definition of  Mechanically Propelled Vehicle (MPV)

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 amended the definition of an MPV under the Road Traffic Act 1961 at Section 3(1) (a) and (b), “mechanically propelled vehicle” is defined as ‘subject to subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including; 

(a) a bicycle or tricycle— 

(i) with an attachment for propelling it solely by mechanical power or solely by electrical power, whether or not the attachment is being used, and having a maximum design speed of no less than 6 kilometres per hour, or 

(ii) capable of propulsion solely by the physical exertions of a person or persons seated on it, and equipped with an auxiliary electric motor— 

(I) which has a maximum continuous rated power greater than 0.25 kilowatts, and 

(II) the output of which cuts off when the physical exertions stop, 

(b) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical,  

but not including a tramcar or other vehicle running on permanent rails or a powered personal transporter.’ 


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