Guide
Electric scooter without a licence: the 25 km/h rule
Some electric scooters need no driving licence, no registration and no number plate. Here is exactly which ones, what the rule says, and what to check before you buy.
Quick answer
Yes — in India an electric scooter needs no driving licence, no registration and no number plate if its motor is 250 W or less, its top speed is 25 km/h or less and it weighs 60 kg or less unladen. Above any of these limits it is a motor vehicle and needs a licence and RTO registration.
The rule in one line
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, a battery scooter is not treated as a motor vehicle if its motor is 250 W or less, its top speed is 25 km/h or less and its unladen weight is 60 kg or less. All three limits must hold.
What you do not need
- No driving licence.
- No RTO registration and no number plate.
- No road tax.
- Insurance is not compulsory, but we recommend it — it costs little and covers theft and accidents.
- Wear a helmet anyway. Helmet rules can differ by state, but safety matters on every road.
What may change
In August 2026 the road transport ministry published a draft to raise the motor limit from 250 W to 600 W, keep the 25 km/h cap and drop the 60 kg weight limit. It is a draft — until it is notified, the 250 W rule above applies. We will update this page when it changes.
Check before you buy
- Ask for the low-speed certificate (ARAI or ICAT) for that exact model.
- Never let anyone unlock the speed. Above 25 km/h it becomes a motor vehicle that needs a licence, registration and insurance — riding it without them is an offence.
- 25 km/h suits short city trips. If you ride main roads or more than 40–50 km a day, look at a high-speed model instead.
Our 25 km/h models
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a 25 km/h electric scooter without a licence?
Yes, if the scooter is certified as low-speed: motor 250 W or less, top speed 25 km/h or less and unladen weight 60 kg or less.
Does a no-licence scooter need a number plate?
No. It is not registered with the RTO, so it has no number plate and no road tax.
Can the speed of a low-speed scooter be increased?
It can be done technically, but then it is no longer a low-speed vehicle and riding it without a licence and registration is illegal. We do not unlock speed limiters.
Try a no-licence scooter
We have 12 low-speed models on the floor at Simada Naka. Walk in for a free test ride.