Electric Motorcycles on a CBT: What's Actually Legal in 2026?

If you're shopping for your first bike and you've started looking at electric options, you've probably hit a wall of confusing specs, contradictory advice, and marketing that doesn't help you answer the one question that actually matters: can I ride this on my CBT certificate?

The answer isn't always obvious — and for electric motorcycles specifically, it's more nuanced than most people expect. Here's how it actually works.

The CBT Certificate and What It Allows

Completing your CBT training qualifies you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc on public roads. But "125cc" is an engine displacement figure — and electric motorcycles don't have engine displacement. They have motor power ratings. So how does the limit translate?

For electric motorcycles, the learner-legal threshold is a continuous power output of 11kW (roughly 15bhp). If a bike's motor is rated at 11kW continuous or below, it qualifies as an A1-category motorcycle and can be ridden on a CBT certificate with L-plates from age 17.

So far, so straightforward. Here's where it gets interesting.

The Continuous vs. Peak Power Quirk

Electric motors work differently to petrol engines. They can produce far more power in short bursts than they can sustain continuously. And the legal definition for what makes a motorcycle "learner legal" is based on continuous rated power, not peak power.

That means a bike like the Zero S — which has a peak output of around 46kW (60bhp) and a top speed of 86mph — is technically A1-compliant and can be ridden on a CBT certificate, because its continuous rated power sits within the legal limit.

Let that sink in. An electric motorcycle capable of 86mph is, by the letter of UK law, in the same learner-legal category as a 125cc petrol bike that tops out around 70mph.

This isn't a loophole — it's a genuine quirk of how the regulations were written before electric motorcycles became mainstream. But it does mean that if you're looking at electric bikes, you can't assume that "learner legal" means slow or underpowered.

What to Actually Check Before You Buy

If you're on a CBT certificate and want to ride an electric motorcycle legally, here's what to confirm:

Continuous rated power of 11kW or less. This is the legal threshold. Check the official spec sheet, not just the marketing material. Some manufacturers list peak power prominently and bury the continuous figure.

Motor classification as L3e or equivalent. This is the EU/UK vehicle category for motorcycles with over 11kW peak but 11kW or less continuous rated power. It's what confirms the bike sits in the A1 bracket.

Power output restrictions. Some electric motorcycles come with a "restricted mode" that limits output to make them learner-legal, with the option to unrestrict once you hold a full licence. If that's the case, make sure the restriction is in place and confirmed before you ride.

Check with your insurer. Even if a bike is technically legal on a CBT, insurers have their own criteria. A 86mph electric bike will be rated very differently to a 70mph 125cc petrol bike, and premiums can reflect that. Get a quote before you commit.

The Electric 125cc Scooter Option

For most new riders, the more relevant electric option is a straightforward electric 125-equivalent scooter — bikes like those from Lexmoto, NIU, or Askoll. These are genuinely comparable to their petrol counterparts in terms of performance, are clearly within the learner-legal spec, and tend to be simpler to insure and maintain.

They're also increasingly practical for commuting. No fuel costs, very low running costs, and — unlike a modified e-bike — completely above board legally from day one.

If range anxiety is a concern, most urban electric 125s manage 60-80 miles per charge. For a daily commute, that's more than enough.

The Bottom Line

Electric motorcycles on a CBT is completely possible — and with the right bike, it's a genuinely exciting option. The key is knowing that the rules are based on continuous rated power, not top speed or peak output, and doing your homework before you buy.

If you haven't done your CBT yet, that's the natural first step. It's a one-day course and once you're certified, the full range of learner-legal bikes — petrol or electric — is open to you.

Find CBT training near you and get started.

Already on your CBT and thinking about upgrading to a full licence? Find out what motorcycle licence options are available based on your age.