California

How the law defines it: Three-class system: bicycle with working pedals and a motor of 750 W or less. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop assisting at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist, speedometer required) at 28 mph. Class 1/3 may have a walk mode up to 3.7 mph. Not a motor vehicle.

Helmet

Class 3: required for all riders and passengers. Class 1/2: required for riders and passengers under 18 (general bicycle helmet law applies to e-bikes).

Minimum age

Class 3: 16. None statewide 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

750 W

License, registration, insurance

No driver's license, registration, plates or financial responsibility (insurance).

Also worth knowing

Manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and wattage. Since Jan. 1, 2025, devices built or modified to exceed 20 mph on motor power alone or 750 W, or with pedals removed, are not e-bikes and may not be sold as e-bikes (SB 1271). Text read on leginfo via browser (site blocks automated fetches).

How the law defines it: "Motorized scooter": two-wheeled device with handlebars, a floorboard to stand on (or a seat and footrests), powered by an electric motor, may also be human-powered. Excludes motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds.

Helmet

Required for riders under 18.

Minimum age

No set age, but a valid driver's license or instruction permit is required.

Speed limit or cap

15 mph on all highways and bikeways.

Motor power cap

None in statute.

License, registration, insurance

Driver's license or instruction permit required. No registration, plates or financial responsibility (insurance).

Also worth knowing

No passengers. Must have a working brake. Manufacturers must give buyers an insurance-coverage disclosure.

How the law defines it: "Electrically motorized board": wheeled device with a floorboard to stand on (max 60 in. long, 18 in. wide), one rider, electric motor averaging under 1,000 W, top motor speed 20 mph or less on level pavement. Covers electric skateboards and single-wheel boards (Onewheel-style).

Helmet

Required for all riders on highways, bikeways, paths, sidewalks and trails.

Minimum age

16

Speed limit or cap

15 mph on highways, bikeways, paths, sidewalks and trails; device must top out at 20 mph or less.

Motor power cap

Under 1,000 W average

License, registration, insurance

Not addressed in statute (no license or registration provision).

Also worth knowing

Lights and reflectors required after dark. DUI on a board is a separate offense (fine up to $250). An electrically motorized board is not a "motorized skateboard," which remains banned on roads, sidewalks and trails (§ 21968).

Not addressed in statute. We found no California 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 specific rule. The EPAMD definition (§ 313) requires two side-by-side wheels, so it does not cover unicycles. The electrically motorized board definition (§ 313.5) covers "any wheeled device" with a floorboard designed to be stood on; whether an EUC's foot pedals count as a floorboard is not settled in statute.