Electric bikes are new enough that folklore has outrun the law. Here are the myths we hear most often in Hanoi, checked against the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (No. 36/2024/QH15).
Myth 1: Licence-free means law-free
False. Sub-4 kW mopeds need no driving licence, but the rider must be at least 16, must wear a standard-compliant helmet, and is bound by every general traffic rule — lights, direction, drink-driving, phone use. “No licence” removes one document, not the rulebook.
Myth 2: Every e-bike is legally a bicycle
False. Only the pedal-type electric bicycle (assistance cutting out at 25 km/h) is legally non-motorised. Scooter-style machines are mopeds or motorcycles by power: 4 kW and under is a moped; above 4 kW requires an A1 licence (up to 11 kW) or an A licence (above 11 kW).
Myth 3: The throttle makes it a motorcycle
Half true, and the wrong half. What decides the class is rated power and design speed, not controls. A 3,000 W scooter with a twist throttle is still licence-free; a 6,000 W Dat Bike Weaver 200 needs an A1.
Myth 4: Slow bikes can ignore helmets
False. Helmets are required for riders and passengers of powered two-wheelers, and enforcement does not exempt mopeds. See our e-bike helmet rules guide.
Myth 5: Electric means no registration duties
Be careful here. The licence classes in Law 36/2024 are about who may ride what; registration and technical inspection requirements depend on vehicle type and are administered separately. Do not assume a fast electric motorcycle skips paperwork that a petrol one needs — verify for your specific model before buying.
The reliable rule of thumb
Check two numbers on the spec sheet — rated power in kW and design speed in km/h — and the class, licence, age and helmet obligations all follow from them. Information, not legal advice; verified 2026-09-24.