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Is there a licence, helmet or age requirement for an electric bicycle?

In short

Not for an ordinary electric bicycle (at most 250 W, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h); it counts as a normal bicycle. For a motorised bicycle with a motor of up to 1 kW, you must be at least 16.

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This rule in 72 seconds
Video transcript

Your 14-year-old wants an electric bike. In the shop you saw a model with a 1 kW motor. It depends: A bike of at most 250 W, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h, is a normal bicycle. A 250 W – 1 kW motorised bike needs a rider aged at least 16. The right way: Choose a normal electric bike for your child: no licence, plate or helmet required. A helmet is still recommended. Consequences (1st-degree offence): Under 16, motorised bike: 64 € + 10,67 €; At the police court: 100 € – 2.500 €; If tuned: May count as a moped.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • A bicycle with a motor of at most 250 W, whose assistance cuts out at 25 km/h, is legally a normal bicycle (fiets / vélo). All the rules for bicycles apply.
  • There is no age limit for this kind of bicycle, and no licence, number plate or helmet is required. Wearing a helmet is still recommended.
  • If the motor is between 250 W and 1 kW and the assistance cuts out at 25 km/h, it is a motorised bicycle (gemotoriseerd rijwiel / cycle motorisé). The rider must be at least 16 years old.
  • For a motorised bicycle you do not need a licence or a helmet, but it must have a certificate of conformity (gelijkvormigheidsattest / certificat de conformité).
  • A bicycle whose assistance continues above 25 km/h is no longer a bicycle. The rules for speed pedelecs or mopeds then apply.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICETraffic offence, degree 1
Fine / payment
For example, riding a motorised bicycle when you are under 16 is a 1st-degree offence: on-the-spot fine 64 € (+10,67 € administrative costs). A bicycle that has been tuned to go faster can count as a moped; the rules on licences, registration and insurance then apply.

Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005 + wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graadwegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

Court / prison
No prison sentence. At the police court, a 1st-degree offence can lead to a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €.

Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 1: On-the-spot payment €64; in court €100 – €2,500. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

What do these terms mean?

On-the-spot payment
A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.
Police court
The court for traffic offences and appeals against GAS fines. Despite the name, it is not part of the police; an independent judge decides.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

As long as the motor assistance cuts out at 25 km/h, an electric bicycle is about as dangerous as a normal bicycle. More powerful or faster vehicles lead to more serious accidents, which is why age and document requirements apply to them.

Check your own situationWill my benefit be stopped?Enter your days away and see how long you can stay abroad while receiving IGO or unemployment benefit.

Where can you go?

  • Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
  • Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
14 / 14 statements in an official source
Checked: 16.10.2026
Last checked
16.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 14 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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