Germany Electric Scooter Rules: The eKFV Standard, Insurance Plate and 20 km/h Limit

Germany requires three things before your private electric scooter can touch a public road. An Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE). A valid Versicherungsplakette. And a speed governor locked to 20 km/h. Miss one and the scooter is illegal on every cycle path, road and public traffic area in the country.

These requirements come from the Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung (eKFV), in force since 15 June 2019. The regulation classifies standing electric scooters as Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge (eKF), a distinct vehicle category under the StVZO. They are not bicycles, not mopeds, not toys.

The ABE Type Approval

Your scooter must display an ABE number on a permanently affixed rating plate. The ABE is the manufacturer's general operating permit, issued by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt or an equivalent European authority. No ABE means no type approval and no insurance.

The Annual Insurance Plate

Every scooter must carry a valid Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance), evidenced by a Versicherungsplakette fixed to the scooter. The plate is a small sticker, 30 mm by 25 mm, and must be visible at all times. Any German motor vehicle liability insurer registered with the GDV database issues it. The plate runs from 1 March to the end of February the following year. For 2026, the colour is black on white. For 2027, blue on white. For 2028, green on white. Renew it annually. An expired plate counts as riding without insurance.

The 20 km/h Speed Governor

The scooter must leave the factory with a governor that caps the maximum design speed at 20 km/h. Maximum continuous rated power is 500 W. Vehicles with a seat can reach 1400 W if self-balancing, but standing scooters stay at 500 W. Remove or modify the governor and you void the ABE, void the insurance, and make the scooter illegal on any public road.

The eKFV insurance plate is not a vehicle registration plate in the same sense as a car number plate. It is an annual sticker proving you hold the compulsory Haftpflichtversicherung for the vehicle. Get it from any German insurance company that offers motor vehicle liability policies. The process takes about 10 minutes online or at a branch. Have the scooter's ABE number, the serial number from the rating plate, and your personal identification ready.

The annual policy sits in the budget to mid-range price band, depending on the insurer and whether you add optional cover such as theft or damage. Check the insurer's website for the current figure; it changes each year. The plate arrives by post or is handed over at the branch. Affix it to the scooter in a clearly visible position, usually the front of the stem or the front mudguard. Riding without the plate, or with a plate from a previous year, is a criminal offence under the Pflichtversicherungsgesetz (PflVG). Fines from the Bußgeldkatalog start in the low tens of euros and climb to several hundred if the rider causes an accident.

Where To Ride

The 20 km/h limit applies everywhere. Use Fahrradwege (cycle paths), Radfahrstreifen (cycle lanes), and shared pedestrian-cycle paths. If a cycle path runs alongside the road, you must use it; riding on the road instead is an offence. Only when no cycle path or cycle lane exists may you ride on the road. Stay off the Gehweg (pavement). The Bußgeldkatalog sets a fine of 15 to 30 euros for pavement riding, rising to 30 euros if you endanger others. Cause an accident while riding illegally and both the fine and your civil liability jump sharply.

Vehicle Dimensions And Equipment

The scooter must not exceed 2000 mm in length, 700 mm in width, or 1400 mm in height. Maximum mass without a driver is 55 kg. Fit permanently attached lighting: a white light at the front and a red light at the rear. Battery-powered lights are permitted if they carry StVZO approval. A bell and an independent brake are mandatory. Indicators are not required for eKF vehicles.

The alcohol limit for e-scooter riders matches the car limit. Riders under 21, or anyone holding a probationary licence, face a zero-tolerance rule: 0.0 ‰. Riders aged 21 and over have a limit of 0.5 ‰. A blood alcohol concentration of 1.1 ‰ or higher is a criminal offence for absolute unfitness. Penalties include fines, points in Flensburg, and a driving ban even if you were not driving a car.

No driving licence is required. The minimum rider age is 14. There is no helmet requirement. The scooter must not carry a passenger or tow a trailer. Keep both hands on the handlebar or holding rod.