RTO Regulations: Electric Bikes and Scooters

• Your bike or scooter needs to be registered with the regional transport office (RTO) after you buy it.

• Number plates with a white background and black letters are for gasoline and diesel vehicles, whilst plates with a green background and white text are for electric vehicles.

• If the vehicle qualifies as an electric bike, registration is not necessary. 

2. Insurance for Electric Vehicles 

• The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 mandates that you have bike insurance for your two-wheeled vehicle.

• You can select third-party electric bike insurance or complete bike insurance.

• The vehicle's battery capacity impacts the insurance rate. 

• A low battery capacity results in a lesser premium; a large capacity results in a higher premium. 

• Only third-party obligations are covered by third-party insurance, which is inexpensive.

• The cost of comprehensive insurance is higher because of its extensive coverage and extra features.

• You should review the coverage options while purchasing the policy. 

3. EV Taxes 

• When you register your electric car with the authorities, you must pay the appropriate road tax.

• Every state has a cap on automobile road taxes.

• However, the Road Transport Ministry has declared that electric vehicles will be exempt from paying road tax during registration.

• The Indian government launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) plan, which gives various subsidies and incentives, to boost awareness of electric vehicles.

• A minimum and maximum subsidy is applied to the bike/scooter's pricing dependent on its capacity. Road tax exemptions are also used. 

4. Wearing a Helmet while Riding an Electric Vehicle 

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated that two-wheeler riders always wear helmets when driving due to an increase in two-wheeler-related traffic incidents.

• Both electric bikes and scooters are covered under this law.

• Even if you own an electric vehicle, you must still wear a helmet. 

Do You Need a Driver's Licence to Ride an Electric Vehicle? 

To operate an electric vehicle, as with any other vehicle, you must have a driver's licence. Driving your electric bike or bicycle on the street is illegal unless you have a valid license. Similarly, without a legal license, if you are involved in an accident or cause damage by other methods, your insurance company will not cover you. 35,925 of the 4,61,312 traffic incidents that occurred in 2022 involved drivers without a valid driver's license. The following are some relevant details regarding licenses for electric vehicles: 

1. Not All EV Riders Require a Licence 

According to existing laws, an electric two-wheeler with a maximum output of 250 watts or a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour does not require a driver's license. E-scooters must also fulfill the requirements to be categorized as motor vehicles. 

2. EV Rider Requiring a Driver's Licence 

Electric motorcycles with engines that produce more than 250 watts must be licensed in India. Furthermore, if your electric bike has a top speed greater than 25 kmph, you must obtain a driver's license. These cars need to be registered. 

3. Age Restrictions for EV Riding 

Once you've determined whether your electric scooter requires a license, the next step is to learn about extra restrictions and age limits for electric bikes. Here are some other crucial RTO regulations for electric motorcycles in addition to the license: 

• In India, a person must be at least 16 years old to ride an electric scooter 

• Teens between the ages of 16 and 18 must pass a required test to obtain an e-scooter license 

• Those between the ages of 16 and 18 are permitted to purchase an electric scooter with a 50 cc engine 

• Green license plates will be issued to such EVs.