Is my e-bike legal? A checklist

The EAPC compliance checklist

Work through each item. If you cannot honestly tick one, your bike may not be a legal EAPC.

1. Motor power is 250W or less. Check the motor's continuous rated power — on the motor casing, a frame plate, or in the spec sheet. It must be 250W or under. Be wary of "500W" or "1000W" marketing. → Speed and power limits
2. Assistance cuts out at 15.5 mph. Confirm the motor stops adding power at 15.5 mph (25 km/h). If it keeps pulling beyond that, it is not legal. → Speed and power limits
3. It has working pedals. The bike must have pedals capable of propelling it. A throttle-only machine with no usable pedals cannot be an EAPC. → What is an EAPC
4. The throttle behaves legally. For a bike placed on the market from 2016, a throttle may only move it without pedalling up to 6 km/h (walking pace). → Throttle laws
5. It has not been tampered with or derestricted. No removed speed limiter, no aftermarket derestriction kit. Any of these turns a legal bike illegal — and voids insurance and warranty. → Illegal e-bikes
6. It has the required markings. Look for the manufacturer's name, the motor's power output (250W), and either the battery voltage (on a plate) or the motor's maximum speed (on the frame). → Lights and safety law
7. Lights and reflectors are fitted (for after dark). For sunset-to-sunrise riding: white front light, red rear light, red rear reflector, amber pedal reflectors. → Lights and safety law
8. Brakes work and meet the standard. Two independent brakes, in efficient working order, meeting the relevant British or European standard.
9. The rider is 14 or over. EAPCs can only be ridden on public roads by someone aged 14 or over. → Age limit
10. You ride it in the right places. Roads, cycle lanes and cycle paths — never pavements. → Where you can ride

What if it fails the checklist?

If your bike misses an item, you have three options:

1. Correct it where possible (fit lights, restore the limiter, add reflectors).
2. Stop riding it on public roads if it is over-powered or derestricted — it is not a legal bicycle.
3. Register it properly as a moped or motorcycle if that is what it actually is — see e-bike vs moped vs motorcycle.

The easiest way to pass: buy compliant

If all of this feels like a lot, the simplest route to a guaranteed pass is to buy from a manufacturer that supplies bikes to EAPC spec. The Eskuta SX-250 is built and supplied to meet UK EAPC requirements — so it ticks the core legal boxes straight from the box.

← Back to the complete guide to UK e-bike laws

Common questions