North Dakota · researched July 22, 2026
North Dakota uses three classes of electric bicycle. Class 1 is pedal assist ending at 20 mph, Class 2 may propel without pedaling but ends assistance at 20 mph, and Class 3 is pedal assist ending at 28 mph.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
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The short answer
A qualifying electric bicycle needs no North Dakota motor-vehicle driver's license, state vehicle registration, certificate of title, or motor-vehicle liability policy. Every Class 3 e-bike needs a speedometer, and a Class 3 operator under 18 must wear a safety helmet. Governmental entities may prohibit e-bikes on bicycle or multi-use paths.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-04· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-05· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-06· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-08· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
01 / Categories
Pedal assist · 20 mph
It must be a bicycle with fully operable pedals, a saddle or seat for the rider, an electric motor of 750 watts or less, and the motor behavior and assisted-speed cutoff of Class 1, 2, or 3.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
The motor assists only while the rider pedals and ceases assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
Throttle-capable · 20 mph
The motor may propel the bicycle without pedaling and ceases assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
Class 2 throttle operation is textually unclear: § 39-01-01 defines Class 2 by a motor capable of propelling without pedaling, but § 39-10.1-09 says an electric bicycle must be equipped so the motor disengages or ceases to function when the operator stops pedaling or applies the brakes. The cited provisions do not reconcile nonpedaling propulsion with the stop-pedaling sentence.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Pedal assist · 28 mph
The motor assists only while the rider pedals and ceases assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
02 / Class consequences
Classification unclear: a device without fully operable pedals or a saddle or seat, over 750 watts, or outside the three class descriptions does not qualify as a North Dakota electric bicycle. The cited definition does not assign every such device to one automatic replacement category; confirm the exact vehicle before public-road or path use.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 Spot an error? →
03 / Rider requirements
04 / Where you can ride
Yes, under the bicycle framework. North Dakota includes an electric bicycle in its bicycle definition, gives a bicycle rider roadway rights and duties applicable to a vehicle driver, and generally directs a bicycle operator to ride as near the right side as practicable while exercising the stated passing care.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Only in the statute's limited two-lane-or-fewer situation: after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding when required, a bicycle rider may cautiously turn or proceed without stopping. A complete stop is required at a stop-sign intersection with three or more moving-traffic lanes or when a vehicle is stopped at the same sign.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Only when not barred by a posted restriction. For a controlled-access roadway under its jurisdiction, the North Dakota transportation director may act by order and a local authority may act by ordinance to prohibit a class or kind of incompatible traffic; the prohibition must be shown by official traffic-control devices.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-07· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10 Spot an error? →
Bicycle-lane treatment is unclear: the cited statutes cover roadways, bicycle paths, multi-use paths, and roadway parts set aside exclusively for bicycles, but do not separately define or name an on-road bicycle lane. Check the facility's designation, current signs, and local rules.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
No for ordinary travel. North Dakota includes an electric bicycle within the bicycle definition, deems a bicycle a vehicle for Chapter 39-10, and § 39-10-52.1 prohibits driving a vehicle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area except on a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-07· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10 Spot an error? →
Yes by default. Section 39-10.1-09 allows every class of electric bicycle on any bicycle path or multi-use path unless a governmental entity with jurisdiction prohibits it.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Natural-surface trail access is unclear: § 39-10.1-09 opens bicycle and multi-use paths but does not define those terms or say that every natural-surface trail qualifies. The governmental entity with jurisdiction may prohibit path use, and a private property owner may impose conditions on permissive public vehicular use. Check the land manager's designation, rules, and signs.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-07· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
A governmental entity with jurisdiction may prohibit electric bicycles on a bicycle or multi-use path. The transportation director or a local authority may also prohibit an incompatible class or kind of traffic on a controlled-access roadway under its jurisdiction, provided official traffic-control devices state the restriction.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
05 / Common questions
No North Dakota motor-vehicle driver's license, state vehicle registration, certificate of title, or motor-vehicle liability policy. The operative provisions apply those requirements to a vehicle or motor vehicle, definitions that exclude a qualifying electric bicycle, and the title statute lists electric bicycles expressly.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-04· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-05· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-06· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-08 Spot an error? →
The clear statewide e-bike rule covers a Class 3 operator under 18. Helmet coverage for adults, Class 1 or Class 2 operators, and passengers remains unclear because the cited e-bike section does not separately impose or disclaim a rule for those groups. Check other applicable rules and wear one anyway.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Bicycle and multi-use paths are open by default, but a governmental entity with jurisdiction may prohibit e-bikes. Natural-surface trail treatment is not stated expressly, so check the land manager's current designation, rules, and signs.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-07· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
Classification says yes but operation is unclear: Class 2 expressly covers a motor capable of propelling without pedaling, while § 39-10.1-09 says the motor must disengage or cease to function when the operator stops pedaling or applies the brakes. The cited law does not reconcile those sentences for nonpedaling throttle use.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
A person operating a bicycle on a roadway or an area the public may access may not be under the influence of alcohol or a drug to a degree that makes the person a hazard to themselves or the public. The required fee is $200, and the violation does not add driver-record points under § 39-10.1-08.North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01· North Dakota Legislative Branch — N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 Spot an error? →
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