Laws by state / Texas
Texas
What Texas's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system. A bicycle with working pedals and a motor under 750 W, top assisted speed 28 mph or less. Class 1: pedal-assist to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle, to 20 mph. Class 3: pedal-assist, over 20 and under 28 mph. Bicycle rules apply.
Road
Allowed
Bicycle rules apply. The state or a city may not ban e-bikes from highways used mainly by motor vehicles.
Bike lane
Allowed
E-bikes may not be banned anywhere regular bicycles are allowed (except natural-surface paths closed to motor vehicles).
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Not banned by state law; TxDOT or a local authority may prohibit bicycles on sidewalks.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed. A local authority may ban e-bikes only on natural-surface paths that are closed to motor vehicles.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 15 (younger riders may be passengers).
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor assist (Class 1 and 2), under 28 mph (Class 3)
- Motor power cap
- Under 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Exempt from driver licensing, registration and title provisions (Subtitles A, B and D and ch. 551A do not apply).
- Also worth knowing
- Motor must cut out when the rider stops pedaling or applies the brakes. Manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and wattage; anyone changing speed capability must replace the label. Class 3 needs a speedometer.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Tex. Transp. Code 664.001; 551.002; 551.103; 551.106; 551.107
- Texas Transportation Code ch. 664 (Electric bicycles: definitions, labeling)
- Texas Transportation Code ch. 551 (Operation of bicycles, EPAMDs, motor-assisted scooters)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Motor-assisted scooter": self-propelled, at least two wheels, brakes, a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cc, a deck to stand or sit on, and able to be moved by human power alone. Pocket bikes and minibikes excluded. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed with limits
Only on streets posted 35 mph or less (may cross faster roads at intersections). Bicycle rules apply. Counties, cities and TxDOT may prohibit scooters on specific roads for safety.
Bike lane
Allowed
Allowed on paths set aside for bicycles; bicycle rules apply.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed on sidewalks unless a county or city prohibits it for safety.
Paths and trails
Allowed
Allowed on paths set aside for bicycles.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- None in statute
- Motor power cap
- 40 cc motor size (statute does not give a wattage limit for electric motors)
- License, registration, insurance
- Motor vehicle provisions do not apply; no license or registration.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Tex. Transp. Code 551.351; 551.352
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Texas 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. Electric skateboards are not named. The 'motor-assisted scooter' definition (551.351) does not require handlebars (at least two wheels, brakes, a deck to stand on, can be human-propelled), so read literally it may cover a four-wheel electric skateboard with brakes. The statute does not confirm this. One-wheel boards do not meet the two-wheel minimum.
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Texas 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. Electric unicycles have one wheel, so they do not meet the 'motor-assisted scooter' minimum of two wheels. The self-balancing device definition (551.201) requires two side-by-side wheels.