Electric scooter driver's license: Which drivers license do I need?

Electric scooters are trendy and a lot of fun, especially on warm days! But the fun ends when you ride an e-scooter without a valid drivers license - and get caught. So what driving license do you need for the electric scooter? Are you allowed to drive an e-scooter with a regular drivers license? And what sanction do you get if you drive a scooter without a license? We have all the information about driving license classes, driving tests, and expenses.

Can you drive an e-scooter with a drivers license?

Brief: Yes, you can! If you have a category B driving license, you can cruise around relaxed on an unu e-scooter. Because: Electric scooters up to 45 km/h are considered mopeds. Class B driving license is sufficient for this. If you are under the age of 18, you need an AM driving license for our e-scooters. For faster e-scooters with a higher speed, a motorcycle license would be required.

Class AM: What does that mean?

You can acquire the driving license class AM in Germany from a minimum age of 15 years. It entitles you to drive mopeds with a maximum of 4kW continuous rated power with an electric drive. This means: You can drive the e-scooters from unu, because here you have the option between the 2kW unu Scooter Move and 4kW unu Scooter Pro versions.
Attention: You can get an AM driving license in Germany at the age of 15. However, it is only valid in Germany up to the age of 16. This means: Riding your electric scooter abroad is therefore prohibited as long as you have not yet completed your 16th year. It is best to find out in advance about the rules and laws of the country in which you intend to move with your e-scooter.

You can drive these vehicles in Germany with driving license class AM:

  • Electric scooter with top speed 45 km/h top speed
  • Motorcycles with a displacement of up to 50 cubic centimeters for models with internal combustion engines
  • three-wheeled motorcycles (e.g. mini trikes)
  • four-wheeled light motor vehicles (so-called minicars, unladen weight of the vehicle max. 350 kg)

Scooter driver's license: costs, period of validity and requirements

If you don't have a class B car drivers license, maybe you're thinking about getting an AM scooter license? The costs for this license vary from state to state (and also from driving school to driving school). In general, however, you can calculate between 500 and 800 euros. That’s how much theory and practical lessons cost, as well as the cost of registering for an exam, an eyesight test and taking part in the first-aid emergency course. By the way: this is mandatory.
After getting your drivers license, it is valid indefinitely; so it doesn't expire. However: Since January 2013 you have to replace your document every 15 years. This doesn’t mean that you have to take the exam again. Only the document expires after 15 years and can be reapplied for.

Age: When is it allowed to drive an e-scooter?

If you are 15 years old and have an AM driving license, you can use unu electric scooters on public roads. You must be at least 17 years old to obtain a category B driving license.

Driving e-scooters without a license: penalty and fine

Even if driving e-scooters is relatively easy, you should never drive an electric scooter on public roads without a drivers license. The penalties are high. According to the law, this is a criminal offense (not an administrative offense), which can be sanctioned with a fine or imprisonment of up to one year according to § 21 StVG. If, on the other hand, you have a drivers license but you don't have the document with you, a simple fine of 10 euros remains. So: Always have your driving license with you before you jump on your unu e-scooter.