Laws by state / South Carolina
South Carolina
What South Carolina's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: "Electric-assist bicycle" ("bicycle with helper motor"): 2 or 3 wheels, working pedals, motor up to 750 W (1 hp), top motor-powered speed under 20 mph. Motor must cut out when braking or when the rider stops pedaling. No class system. Not a moped.
Road
Allowed
Subject to all bicycle laws. Ride as near the right side as practicable; shoulder use allowed; no more than two abreast.
Bike lane
Allowed
Where a bike lane is provided next to the road, bicyclists must use it except to pass or avoid obstructions.
Sidewalk
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
Paths and trails
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Under 20 mph on motor power
- Motor power cap
- 750 W (1 hp)
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a moped; bicycle rules apply. Statute sets no license or registration.
- Also worth knowing
- Manufacturers must label wattage and top assisted speed; owners may not remove or tamper with the label. A pedal or pedal-less electric cycle with 750-1,500 W input is a 'moped' (a motor vehicle) under 56-1-10(26).
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: S.C. Code 56-1-10(29); 56-5-3520; 56-5-3420; 56-5-3425; 56-5-3430
- S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 1 (56-1-10 Definitions: electric-assist bicycle, moped)
- S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 5 (56-5-3410 to 56-5-3530 bicycles; 56-5-3310 EPAMD)
E-scooters
Not addressed in statute. We found no South Carolina 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. South Carolina has no stand-up e-scooter definition. The 'moped' definition (56-1-10(26)) covers electric cycles on up to 3 wheels, with or without pedals, with 750-1,500 W input, so a higher-powered scooter may count as a moped (a motor vehicle). Scooters under 750 W are not covered by any definition. The EPAMD rules (56-5-3310) cover only self-balancing two-wheel devices.
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no South Carolina 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.
Checked October 26, 2026
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no South Carolina 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. The EPAMD definition (56-5-3310) requires two side-by-side wheels, so it does not cover one-wheel devices.