Riding an e-bike without a license – what is allowed?

E-bikes are booming – they get people to their destinations quickly, comfortably, and in an environmentally friendly way. But the question keeps coming up: Do you actually need a license for an e-bike? The short answer: It depends. In this article, you'll learn which types of e-bikes can be ridden without a license, what the legal limits are, and what you should pay attention to in order to ride safely and legally.

By Fabian Huber 3 minutes read time

About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: August 3, 2025

What exactly is an e-bike?

In everyday life, the term "e-bike" is often used synonymously for various types of electrically assisted bicycles. However, from a legal perspective, a clear distinction must be made:

Pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle): Assists only when pedaling, up to a maximum of 25 km/h.
S-Pedelec (Fast Pedelec): Supports up to 45 km/h.
E-bike in the narrower sense: Can also be ridden without pedaling – basically a moped on two wheels.

This distinction is crucial when it comes to the question of a driver’s license.

Pedelecs – the driver’s license-free everyday companion

The classic Pedelec is legally a bicycle in Germany as long as:

the motor support is limited to 25 km/h,
the motor only supports pedaling,
the rated power is a maximum of 250 watts.

👉 You don’t need a driving license for a pedelec.
You can ride it without a test certificate, insurance or registration – just like a normal bicycle.

Teenagers 14 and older can also legally ride pedelecs without a driver's license. Depending on the federal state, special regulations apply to children under 14, particularly in road traffic.

S-Pedelecs – this is where things get more complicated

S-Pedelecs assist pedaling up to 45 km/h. This means they are no longer legally considered bicycles, but rather mopeds.

Therefore, the following regulations apply to S-Pedelecs:

Requirement	Applies to S-Pedelec?
Driving license required?	✅ Yes, at least class AM (from 16 years)
Helmet requirement?	✅ Yes
Insurance number plate?	✅ Yes
Is use of cycle paths permitted?	❌ No, only on the street
Compulsory licensing?	❌ No, but operating license required

👉 Conclusion: You are not allowed to ride an S-Pedelec without a driver's license. Even if it looks like a regular e-bike, legally it's a small motorcycle.

E-bikes in the narrower sense – riding without pedaling

E-bikes that can be ridden without pedaling are colloquially called "e-bikes", but legally they are also classified as small motorcycles or mopeds.

Example: An e-bike starts moving at the push of a button or throttle – this is more reminiscent of an electric scooter.

The following applies:

Driving license class AM is compulsory (from 16 years),
Compulsory insurance with license plate,
Helmet requirement,
no cycle paths allowed,
No registration is required, but an operating license must be available.

👉 Here too, no driving license, no driving.

What are the consequences of driving without a license?

Anyone who uses an S-Pedelec or e-bike (without pedaling) without the necessary driving license is committing a criminal offense – this also applies to minors!

This is driving without a license (§ 21 StVG).
In serious cases, you may face fines, points on your license or even imprisonment.
Insurance coverage also expires if you drive without permission.

Can you still ride an e-bike if your driving license is suspended?

Yes – with restrictions:

Pedelec up to 25 km/h: ✅ You can continue to ride because it is legally a bicycle.
S-Pedelec or e-bike without pedaling: ❌ You are not allowed to ride if your driving license has been revoked.

So if you have lost your driving license, a classic Pedelec is the only legal option among e-bikes.

Brief overview: What can you drive without a driver’s license?

E-bike type	Driving license required?	Max. speed	Compulsory insurance
Pedelec	❌ No	25 km/h	❌ No
S-Pedelec	✅ Yes (Class AM)	45 km/h	✅ Yes
E-bike without pedaling	✅ Yes (Class AM)	Depending on the model	✅ Yes

Conclusion: With the right e-bike you can be mobile even without a driving licence

If you want to ride without a driver's license, a pedelec is the perfect option. It combines all the benefits of cycling with electric assistance – and all without the hassle.

However, as soon as it gets faster or operates without pedaling, a driver's license is required. If you're unsure, you should check the technical specifications and the operating license before purchasing.

Tip: If you want to buy an e-bike and don't have a driver's license, look for the label "assistance up to 25 km/h." This way, you'll be on the safe side — and can pedal completely legally.