Alabama

How the law defines it: Three-class system: bicycle with working pedals, a seat and a motor under 750 W. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop assisting at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist) at 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle.

Helmet

Required for all Class 3 operators and passengers. Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on bicycles (§ 32-5A-283); e-bike riders carry the same duties as bicycle riders.

Minimum age

Class 3: 16 (under 16 may ride as passenger if the bike is designed for one). No minimum for Class 1/2.

Speed limit or cap

Motor assist stops at 20 mph (Class 1/2) or 28 mph (Class 3).

Motor power cap

Under 750 W

License, registration, insurance

No driver's license, registration, title, plate or insurance required.

Also worth knowing

Since Jan. 1, 2022 manufacturers must affix a label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage. Tampering that changes speed is barred unless the label is replaced. Class 3 must have a speedometer. Motor must cut out when the rider stops pedaling or brakes are applied.

How the law defines it: "Scooter": device under 100 lb with handlebars and an electric motor, powered only by the motor or human power, top motor speed of 20 mph or less on level pavement. Excludes e-bikes, EPAMDs/Segways, motorcycles and mopeds. Scooters are not excluded from the definition of motor vehicle.

Helmet

No scooter-specific rule. City police guidance (Homewood) says the motor-driven cycle helmet rule applies.

Minimum age

No scooter-specific rule. A Class M license with motor-driven cycle restriction is available from age 14 (§ 32-12-22); city guidance applies this to scooters.

Speed limit or cap

Defined as 20 mph max on level pavement.

Motor power cap

None in statute.

License, registration, insurance

No scooter-specific rule. Because scooters are not excluded from "motor vehicle," city police guidance says a Class M license, license plate and liability insurance are required.

Also worth knowing

Alabama has no scooter operating section; the scooter definition sits beside general motor vehicle law. The license/plate/insurance/helmet requirements above come from Homewood police guidance interpreting state law, not an explicit scooter statute. Shared (rental) scooter systems are defined separately in § 32-1-1.1(66)-(67).

Not addressed in statute. We found no Alabama statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. No operating rules. The EPAMD definition expressly excludes motorized skateboards, and "skateboard" and "hoverboard" appear only in the shared (rental) micromobility device definition.

Not addressed in statute. We found no Alabama statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category.