Do You Need a License for Electric Bikes in Canada? (2025)

Electric rides have taken over Canadian streets, from city commuters on sleek e-bikes to riders testing high-powered dirt bikes and scooters. But as these vehicles grow in popularity, one question keeps coming up:

“Do I need a license to ride this?”

The short answer is: it depends on what you’re riding.

Canada doesn’t treat all electric vehicles the same way. E-bikes, electric dirt bikes, and scooters each fall under different laws, depending on their speed, motor power, and design. For example, a 32 km/h e-bike with pedals is seen as a bicycle, while a throttle-only dirt bike is treated as a motorcycle.

This post breaks down the differences so you’ll know exactly what’s legal, what requires a licence, and which option gives you the freedom to ride without the paperwork.

(And if you’re looking for a fully legal, no-license electric ride, check out the Movin E-Bikes Collection - built for Canadian roads.)

Do You Need a License for an Electric Bike in Canada?

Good news - you don’t need a driver’s licence to ride an electric bike in Canada. E-bikes fall under Transport Canada’s “Power-Assisted Bicycle (PAB)” category, which classifies them as bicycles rather than motor vehicles.

However, there are a few strict conditions to qualify for that licence-free status.

Federal Requirements for a Legal E-Bike

To be recognized as a power-assisted bicycle under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, an e-bike must:

• Have pedals that can propel the bike manually.
• Have an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts.
• Have a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h on flat ground.
• Be equipped with safety features like brakes and proper labelling from the manufacturer.

If your e-bike meets those rules, it’s treated like a standard bicycle — no licence, no insurance, and no registration required.

Provincial Rules at a Glance

So, as long as your bike meets the federal standards, you’re good to go in every province.

That’s one of the biggest reasons commuters, students, and delivery riders are switching to e-bikes, especially models like the Movin Urban Series that are built to comply with Canadian PAB regulations. You can ride them freely in bike lanes and on city roads without ever visiting a licensing office.

Do You Need a License for an Electric Dirt Bike?

Electric dirt bikes are a whole different story. While they might look similar to e-bikes, the power output and design change everything legally.

Most electric dirt bikes, including popular models like Sur-Ron, Talaria, or Segway X260, are classified as motorcycles or off-highway vehicles (OHVs), not bicycles. That means they require licensing, registration, and insurance if you want to ride them anywhere other than private property.

Why Electric Dirt Bikes Require a Licence

Electric dirt bikes often:

• Use motors rated 2,000 to 5,000 watts (far above the 500W e-bike limit).
• Reach speeds of 60–80 km/h (way over the 32 km/h cap).
• Lack pedals - making them motor-driven, not pedal-assisted.
• Come without road safety features like mirrors, headlights, and signals.

Under these conditions, Transport Canada treats them as motor vehicles, which triggers the same licensing requirements as gas-powered motorcycles.

What You Need to Ride One Legally

If you plan to ride an electric dirt bike on public roads:

• You’ll need a motorcycle licence (Class M in Ontario or Class 6 in Alberta).
• The bike must be registered and insured with your provincial ministry.
• It must meet motorcycle safety standards, including lights, mirrors, VIN number, and street-approved tires.

Most riders skip this process because dirt bikes are meant for off-road fun, not commuting. You can legally use them on:

• Private property (with permission).
• Designated dirt tracks and off-road trails.

If you want something that feels powerful but stays legal for everyday roads, an e-bike like the Movin Urban Cruiser is your sweet spot, fast enough for daily travel, fully electric, and road-approved in all provinces.

Do You Need a License for an Electric Scooter?

Electric scooters sit in a grey area, partly because the word “scooter” can mean two very different things.

There are kick-style e-scooters (the small foldable ones you see in cities) and seated electric scooters or mopeds (which look more like compact motorcycles). Each one follows its own rules.

Kick-Style Electric Scooters

These are the lightweight scooters that use a small motor and have no pedals or seat. They’re becoming common in cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver thanks to pilot programs.

• Ontario: Currently running an E-Scooter Pilot Program allowing riders 16+ to use e-scooters on public roads, bike lanes, and paths, but only where municipalities permit them. No licence or registration is required.
• Alberta: Most cities, including Calgary and Edmonton, allow e-scooters under municipal bylaws. Riders must be 18+, wear helmets, and obey local traffic laws.
• British Columbia: Similar pilot programs exist in select cities (like Kelowna and Nanaimo).
• Quebec: Kick-style scooters are allowed on bike lanes but banned on major roads.

These e-scooters are licence-free, but still require rider responsibility, following speed limits (usually 24 km/h max), wearing a helmet, and avoiding sidewalks.

Seated Electric Scooters (E-Mopeds)

This is where things change. Seated scooters with larger motors (500–1,500W) are treated like limited-speed motorcycles in most provinces. That means you need:

• A driver’s licence (Class M or equivalent).
• Insurance and registration for the scooter.
• Lights, mirrors, and safety equipment that meet motorcycle standards.

So, if your “electric scooter” can go above 32 km/h or looks like a moped, it’s no longer in the e-bike category; it’s a motor vehicle.

Quick note: E-bikes like the Movin Urban Series give you the same road access as scooters, but without a licence, insurance, or registration.

Why E-Bikes Are the Simplest Legal Option

With e-bikes, you skip the confusion entirely. They’re recognized nationwide as the simplest form of motor-assisted transport.

Here’s why:

• No licence required.
• No insurance or registration needed.
• Allowed on roads, bike lanes, and paths (depending on municipal rules).
• Environmentally friendly, zero emissions, or fuel costs.

E-bikes are designed for everyday riders, commuters, delivery drivers, students, and anyone who wants quick mobility without red tape.

How E-Bikes Compare

If you’re looking for something that keeps you legal, fast, and flexible, Movin’s lineup of street-approved e-bikes is built for Canadian cities. Check the Movin E-Bikes Collection, no licence, no fuss, all ride.

Quick Summary: License Rules at a Glance

Here’s a complete breakdown of the licensing laws for each type of electric ride across Canada:

Summary

If it has pedals and stays under 32 km/h, you’re licence-free. If it looks like a motorcycle, you’ll need a licence and insurance.

For most riders, an e-bike gives you the perfect balance - power, portability, and full legal access.