Riding Eligibility for Electric Scooters in India
Riding Eligibility for Electric Scooters in India
Published on June 02, 2023. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes
Electric scooters have evolved a lot in the past few years. The new-age electric scooters are not only striking to look at but also offer a much better riding range than the previous generation of scooters. It is not surprising then, that a lot of people are inching towards riding electric scooters. And in a bid to promote more acceptance of electric scooters, the government is now allowing teenagers between 16 and 18 years to ride electric scooters. Do you need an electric scooter license to ride one?
A major issue across most cities in India is underage driving. Students who are attending school or college tend to ride bikes and scooters. Many of them ride in a negligent manner, causing hindrance to others on the road. But more importantly, for themselves. Keeping the safety of teenagers and other vehicle owners on the road, the government has devised a plan to counter both.
The law for riding electric two wheeler vehicles in India
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the L1 category of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. According to the new changes, teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 years can ride electric vehicles. The vehicles must meet the following conditions.
1. The battery capacity of the vehicle must be 4 kilowatts at the maximum.
2. The vehicle must have a restricted top speed of 70 kmph.
3. The vehicle must have a green license plate.
4. The engine capacity for teenagers is set at 50cc.
However, this still begs a basic question, can someone ride an electric scooter without license? The simple answer is no. Though it was possible earlier, that is no longer the case. After the amendment, you cannot ride an electric scooter without license. Teenagers must undergo a test, post which they will be provided with a license to ride electric vehicles.
Benefits of buying electric scooters for teenagers
Allowing teenagers to ride electric scooters can result in a lot of positive results and there are more than a few perks as well. The following are the most prominent ones.
1. A big advantage is that teenagers will get an understanding of traffic rules and regulations quite early. As they start riding electric scooters, they will get first-hand knowledge of traffic rules in a safe way as well.
2. Moving to electric scooters is a more pronounced way of doing a bit for the environment. It will allow teenagers to attend their classes without increasing their carbon footprint. And with newer scooters having a decent range, will allow them to commute without having any range anxiety.
3. Electric scooters aren’t very complicated when it comes to riding them. The bikes have minimal control and make way for shorter learning curves. By giving a simple test, teenagers can get their hands on an electric scooter license.
4. Since the government has a strong hand in pushing toward the electrification of vehicles, it is not surprising that there are a lot of manufacturers in the market. Simply put, this allows teenagers to choose from a wide range of electronic scooters, at their convenience.
5. And the most important benefit is that teenagers do not have to visit fuel bunks. Since the scooter can be charged right at home, this will save them time and more importantly money. Thus, parents no longer need to worry about hefty fuel bills every month.
Buying insurance for electric scooters and bikes
Electric scooters like other vehicles in the country need insurance for teenagers or anyone for that matter to ride them. The law mandates that without 2 wheeler insurance , you cannot ride on public roads. However, there is more to buying insurance for the scooter than merely meeting the statutory requirements. The following are some crucial reasons to buy one.
1. The insurance will ensure that you receive financial protection during any unforeseen events. The policy will compensate for any accidents that might result in the bike being damaged.
2. Buying the policy will make sure that you do not pay any hefty fines to the traffic police department. And the penalties can be up to Rs. 4,000.
3. Buying a policy for your electric scooter online can save you money since insurance companies do not have to rely on advisors for the services.
4. Should you opt for a comprehensive plan or own damage cover for your electric scooter, it allows you to further enhance the coverage with the help of riders. By paying a small premium, you stand to benefit in the long run.
5. Most importantly, the plan will give you a hassle-free ownership experience of your electric scooter.
Another factor that you need to consider is that some of the electric scooters do cost a fair bit. Thus, any repairs would also set you back. The policy will safeguard you from such expenses.
Conclusion
Electric scooters for teenagers can be a very sensible decision. It would not only allow them to be independent but also be responsible. And their stint with an electric vehicle will aid them in the process of learning traffic rules as well. It is important to opt for third party bike insurance for electric vehicles, as it can protect the owner of the bike from financial liabilities in the event of an accident.
Disclaimer : The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales
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