Are low-speed electric scooters still licence-free in 2026? The CMVR rule, confirmed

Short answer: yes. As of June 2026, a low-speed electric two-wheeler remains exempt from a driving licence, RTO registration, road tax and a number plate under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) — provided it meets both conditions at once: a top speed of 25 km/h or less AND a continuous-rated motor of 250W or less. The minimum riding age is 16.

The catch that hasn’t changed

Speed alone is not enough. A scooter electronically capped at 25 km/h but fitted with a motor rated above 250W is still, in law, a registrable motor vehicle — licence, registration and all. The exemption checks power and speed together. This is the single most common point mis-sold on a showroom floor, so before you treat any scooter as “no-licence”, get the continuous motor rating (not the peak figure) in writing.

Tricity status

The CMVR is central law and applies identically in Chandigarh (UT), Mohali (Punjab) and Panchkula (Haryana). The three are administered by different transport set-ups, so day-to-day enforcement can vary slightly — if you’re buying near a border or riding across one regularly, confirm the current position with your local RTO.

What it means for a Tricity low-speed EV buyer

• The exemption is intact in 2026: no licence, no RTO, no road tax, no plate — if both ≤25 km/h and ≤250W are met.
• Get the continuous motor wattage on the dealer’s spec sheet; a 25 km/h scooter with a >250W motor is a registrable vehicle.
• Insurance is not legally mandated for an exempt scooter, but voluntary cover is worth considering — and on this, as on the exemption itself, confirm the current position with your local RTO.

Sources

• Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) — low-speed exemption criteria (top speed ≤25 km/h AND motor ≤250W continuous, both required); licence, registration, road-tax and number-plate position; cross-verified across multiple sources, June 2026.