Navigating L1e and L3e: Understanding the Classifications for Your Electric Dirt Bike

For riders transitioning from off-road-only bikes to powerful street-legal e-motos like the E Ride Pro or high-end Talaria models, one of the most confusing hurdles is understanding road legality. In Europe and the UK, the two primary classification standards governing these vehicles are L1e and L3e.

Choosing the right homologation affects everything from your licensing requirements to insurance costs and, crucially, the bike’s maximum road speed. This guide clarifies the differences between L1e and L3e to help you select the legal version of your next electric dirt bike.

L1e Classification: The Moped Equivalent

The L1e classification applies to lightweight vehicles designed to be legally equivalent to mopeds or scooters. This is the simplest path to street legality for many riders.

• Speed Limit: Must be restricted to a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph).
• Power Limit: Nominal continuous power output is restricted (typically to 4kW or less).
• Licensing Benefit: In many European jurisdictions, L1e vehicles can be operated with a standard Category B (car) license if obtained before certain dates, or with a simple AM license. This avoids the need for a full motorcycle license.
• Ideal For: The casual commuter or the rider who prioritizes easy legality over high top speed (e.g., the E Ride Pro SS 2.0 L1e).

L3e Classification: The Motorcycle Equivalent

The L3e classification designates the vehicle as a fully-fledged electric motorcycle, removing the strict restrictions on speed and power.

• Speed Limit: Unrestricted. The bike can utilize its full top speed (e.g., 60 mph+ for the E Ride Pro SR).
• Licensing Requirement: Operation requires a specific motorcycle license (Category A1, A2, or A, depending on local power regulations and rider age).
• Power Benefit: The bike is fully street legal at its maximum performance output (e.g., the E Ride Pro SS 3.0 18kW in L3e trim).
• Ideal For: The experienced rider who needs full road performance and already holds a motorcycle license.

The Dual Homologation Advantage (The Off-Road Reality)

Many high-performance e-motos, such as the E Ride Pro SR and SS models, are capable of 18kW or 25kW but are frequently sold with L1e paperwork.

This common practice allows the bike to be easily registered and insured as a slower, simpler L1e vehicle. However, the bike's powerful motor is merely software-restricted to 45 km/h. For the experienced buyer:

• The L1e restriction is maintained for legal road use.
• The bike is quickly derestricted for use on private land and off-road trails, unleashing its full power and speed capability (the 18kW or 25kW output).

Note: Operating a derestricted L1e vehicle on public roads voids its legal classification and may lead to serious legal consequences, including voiding insurance. Always ride legally on public highways.

Conclusion: Which Classification is Right for You?

Your choice depends on your license and your primary use:

1. Choose L1e (45 km/h): If you need simple, cheap road legality for commuting and plan to use the bike primarily off-road (with derestriction).
2. Choose L3e (Unrestricted): If you hold a full motorcycle license and need the bike to be fully legal at high speeds on public roads.

Author’s Take: What Most Riders Don’t Realize About L1e vs L3e (And Why This Matters So Much)

I fully understand that not everyone has a motorcycle license — not even the A1, and definitely not Germany’s B196 upgrade. But here’s the funny part:
If you already hold a Category B car license, chances are high you already have Category AM automatically included. And that means you are legally allowed to ride any L1e electric motorcycle without ever setting foot in a motorcycle school.

And this is where the E-Ride models, especially the E Ride Pro 3.0 and E Ride Pro SR, become absolutely mind-blowing. The idea that you can buy an E Ride Pro SR with 25 kW peak power and legally ride it as an L1e vehicle with nothing more than an AM license… it’s insane. I still can’t believe we reached a point where a 15-year-old can legally ride something that performs like a 250cc four-stroke motorcycle. It’s wild — but yes, that’s how the regulation works.

If you do have a proper motorcycle license (A1/A2/A), then sure — go straight for the L3e version. Just remember:

• you’ll have to register it

• it will require technical inspection every two years

• you’ll get the big full-size license plate (the truck-size one)

• and your insurance cost will be noticeably higher

So if your main goal is off-road riding with occasional legal road access, get the L1e version and don’t overthink it.

Unfortunately, bikes like the Talaria Komodo come only as Off-Road or L3e — meaning AM is useless there. You’ll need at least an A1 license to ride a Komodo legally on public roads. That’s why so many riders who don’t want to deal with licensing go for the E Ride Pro SR in L1e — it gives you insane power without the licensing headaches.

One more piece of advice:
If you get an L1e bike, always buy the insurance option that includes theft protection. It costs maybe €20–25 extra per year, but imagine this: you ride your bike for two or three years, park it in the city, go for a coffee, come back — and it’s gone. With theft coverage, you get the full payout for a new bike. For €25 a year, that’s a no-brainer.
(Some L3e policies include theft automatically, but if they don’t — add it. It’s absolutely worth it.)

And in case anyone still hasn’t realized this:
Every version — L1e, L3e, off-road — can be derestricted to perform exactly like the full-power off-road model.
The only difference is the paperwork in your drawer, not the way the bike rides.

So pick the homologation that fits your license and your legal needs — the performance will always be there waiting for you.