With skyrocketing petrol prices and a desire to reduce our carbon footprint, electric vehicles are seeing a huge surge in popularity. These vehicles are a cheaper and cleaner transport alternative that offer a level of versatility and freedom that you can’t get from public transport.
An exciting new range of electric vehicles here at Ampd Bros are the Surron Electric Dirt Bikes. These bikes have so far proved immensely popular for off-road use, but we are hyped to introduce two new models which are now ADR compliant. This means they can be registered for road use in Australia.
These Surron models are the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro.
Once you have taken your new Surron Dirt Bike to be registered and slapped on the number plates, the next question you will have is…
“What licence do I need to ride my Surron electric dirt bike on the road?”
Well the answer will be different depending on which state you are in and whether you have a Car Licence or Learner Motorcycle or Full motorcycle licence. Most states follow the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme for short) to determine which bikes are legal for learner riders. The LAM Scheme states that all motorcycles with an electric powered engine and a power output not in excess of 25kw are approved for novice riders of which both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro fall under this 25kw limit so that is great news for learner and provisional riders in states which follow the LAM Scheme.
Also some states allow for some use on a regular car licence. Read below for a full breakdown state by state to see what rules apply where you live.
Please note: while the information below was correct at the time of writing, these laws are subject to change without notice and should be used as a guide only. Always check with your local authorities before riding.
Surron Models Power Output
Light Bee L1E - 86.2kw per Tonne (250n.m) Motor 3KW - 5KW Peak - Top Speed 45km/h (Restricted)
Storm Bee Enduro - 178.5kw per Tonne (520n.m) Motor 10KW - 22.5KW Peak - Top Speed 110km/h
QLD:
Car Licence
Light Bee L1E can be ridden in QLD on a C Class licence given it is restricted to 45km/h.
“A moped—fitted with an electric motor or an internal combustion engine (with a maximum capacity of 50mL) with a maximum manufacturer’s top rated speed of 50km/h that is not a bicycle. If you are riding a moped on a car licence you must not carry a passenger”
Storm Bee Enduro cannot be ridden in QLD on a C Class licence.
RE & R Class Licence (Learner, Provisional & Open Motorcycle Licence)
Both the Light Bee L1E & Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in QLD on an RE & R Class licence as per the LAM Scheme.
“With electric powered engines, with a power output not in excess of 25kW, are approved”
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/types
NSW:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in NSW
Learner, P1, P2 & Full Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in NSW on any of the motorcycle licence classes above as per the LAM Scheme.
“With electric powered engines, with a power output not in excess of 25kW, are approved”
SA:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in SA
R-Date Learners, R-Date & R - Full Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in SA on any of the license classes above as per the LAM Scheme.
“All motorcycles with an electric powered engine and a power output not in excess of 25kw are approved.”
WA
C & R-N Class Licence (Car & Moped)
Light Bee L1E can be ridden on a C or R-N Class licence in WA when restricted to 50km/h.
“A moped is a motorcycle that;
Either:
“Note: If you are authorised to drive Car (C class) (Unrestricted) vehicles you may drive any: Moped (R-N class).”
Storm Bee Enduro cannot be ridden in WA on a C or R-N Class licence.
R-E & R Class Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in WA on either of the motorcycle licence classes above as per the LAM Scheme.
“has a power-to-weight ratio up to 150 kilowatts per tonne (kW/t); and a maximum engine capacity up to 660cc or is powered by an electric powered engine with a power output up to 25kW”
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/vehicle-classes.asp
TAS:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in TAS
Learner, P1, P2 & Full Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in TAS on any of the motorcycle licences above as per the LAM Scheme.
Note: Learner and P1 licence holders must never ride at speeds over 80km/h.
NT:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in NT
Learner, Provisional & Open Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in NT on any of the motorcycle licences above as per the LAM Scheme.
https://nt.gov.au/driving/licence/getting-an-nt-licence/get-your-motorcycle-licence
VIC:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in VIC.
Learner, Probationary & Open Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in VIC on any of the motorcycle licences above as per the LAM Scheme.
“All motorcycles manufactured prior to 1960 with a cubic capacity up to and including 660cc, and currently available fully electric powered motorcycles are also approved for use by novice riders.”
ACT:
Car Licence
There is no provision to ride either model on a Car licence in ACT.
Learner or Provisional Motorcycle License
Light Bee L1E can be ridden in ACT on either a learner or provisional motorcycle licence. The ACT does not follow the LAM Scheme for novice riders and instead restricts all bikes with a power to weight ratio exceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne.
Storm Bee Enduro cannot be ridden in ACT on a Learner or Provisional Licence.
Full Open Motorcycle Licence
Both the Light Bee L1E and Storm Bee Enduro can be ridden in ACT on a full open motorcycle licence.
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/s/article/act-motorcycle-licence-information-tab-overview
The laws regarding electric powered vehicles are constantly being updated and the information above is provided as a guide.
Note: The information on this page above was current at the time of writing based on the reference pages as mentioned. Be sure to always check with your local licensing authorities before taking your new Surron Electric Dirt Bike out on the road.
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