Electric scooter: mandatory license plate, registration, and insurance

An L1e-approved electric scooter is considered a moped in every respect. This means a license plate, registration certificate, mandatory insurance, and a helmet, just like a 50cc petrol scooter. Confusion arises because electric kick scooters and electric bicycles are sold under similar labels despite having completely different regulations.

Here you'll find the operational part: how to register, how much it costs, what has changed regarding insurance obligations since 2024, and the two questions to ask the insurance company that almost no one thinks of asking — one concerns the removable battery, the other roadside assistance.

The moped license plate is personal

This is the most significant difference compared to cars and motorcycles, and the one that causes the most errors in sales. Article 97 of the Highway Code stipulates that to circulate, a moped must have a registration certificate — which includes vehicle data, license plate number, and owner's data — and a six-character alphanumeric license plate.

However, that license plate follows the person, not the vehicle. If you sell the scooter, the license plate remains yours: it does not transfer to the buyer along with the vehicle. Consequently, the transfer of ownership of a moped consists of two subsequent procedures: first, the suspension, which unlinks the license plate from the seller, then the issuance of a new registration certificate with the personal license plate assigned to the buyer.

How to register: documents, costs, times

The application is submitted to an office of the Civil Motorization (Motorizzazione Civile) using form TT 2118, or you can entrust it to an automotive consultancy firm, which will manage it on your behalf for a fee.

Documents for a brand new moped

• Completed and signed form TT 2118.
• Photocopy of a valid identity document and tax code.
• Community Type Approval Certificate (C.O.C.) issued by the manufacturer.
• Declaration for registration with OA code annotation, not necessary if the code is already on the C.O.C.
• Proof of payments.

Stamp duty amounts updated to July 2026, to be paid via PagoPA. These do not include any fees from a consultancy agency. Verify current amounts with the relevant office.

The procedure is generally completed in real-time, depending on counter availability. If the owner is a minor — a situation far from rare, given that an L1e can be ridden from 14 years old — the application must be signed by a parent or guardian, with a photocopy of their document. A detail to check on the registration certificate: it also includes any approval for passenger transport. If the vehicle is a two-seater but the certificate does not indicate it, you cannot carry anyone.

Insurance: what has changed since 2024

There's a new development here that many haven't registered. Until a few years ago, third-party liability (RC) insurance was only mandatory for vehicles circulating on public roads: a vehicle stored in a garage could remain uninsured.

Legislative Decree 184 of 22 November 2023, which implemented European Directive 2021/2118, reversed this principle. The insurance obligation is no longer tied to circulation but to the vehicle's function as a means of transport, and it is independent of its characteristics, the public or private land it is on, and whether it is stationary or in motion. The possibility of not insuring vehicles parked in private areas such as garages and carports has effectively been eliminated. After an extension, the new provisions apply fully from 30 June 2024.

A 45 km/h electric scooter unambiguously falls within the definition of a vehicle subject to the obligation: the threshold is set at a design speed exceeding 25 km/h. Penalties stipulated in Article 193 of the Highway Code for circulating without coverage start from €866 and can reach €3,464, with vehicle impoundment.

If the vehicle remains stationary for a long time, there is still the option of suspending the policy, which freezes coverage and costs for a determined period without losing the merit class. This is the correct solution for those who use the scooter only from spring to autumn: much better than cancellation, and legitimate unlike simply not insuring it.

How much it costs and how to lower the premium

The third-party liability (RC) premium for a moped depends primarily on the province of residence, the driver's age and driving experience, merit class, and any past accidents. The differences between a northern provincial capital and a large southern city can be several hundred euros, all else being equal, so any average figure circulating online says little about your specific case.

The levers that really work:

• Ask for a discount for electric vehicles. Many companies apply优惠 rates to zero-emission vehicles, but they don't always offer it spontaneously: you need to ask for it when getting a quote.
• Check the Bersani Law. If there is already a two-wheeled vehicle insured in a good merit class in the family, ask the company if you can inherit it. Applicability depends on the type of vehicles involved: get confirmation before signing.
• Compare at least four quotes. For mopeds, the dispersion among companies is wider than for cars, because the segment is less standardized.
• Consider seasonal suspension if use is concentrated in a few months.

The two questions no one asks the company

Third-party liability (RC) covers damage you cause to third parties. It does not cover your own vehicle. For that, you need additional coverages, and that's where electric vehicles present two grey areas that are not resolved in policies designed for internal combustion vehicles.

What you must carry with you when riding

• Registration certificate for the moped.
• AM driving license or higher. For categories and minimum ages, you'll find the complete overview in the guide on which license is needed for an electric scooter.
• Approved helmet, mandatory always and for all drivers and passengers of mopeds, without age-related exceptions.
• Active third-party liability (RC) coverage. The paper sticker is no longer displayed; verification is electronic, but the policy must be in place.

The most frequent errors

• Buying a vehicle without a C.O.C. Without a Community Type Approval Certificate, registration cannot be done, and the vehicle remains unusable on the road. This is a typical risk when purchasing from general marketplaces at unusually low prices.
• Assuming the license plate transfers with the vehicle. It does not transfer, and this is the most common cause of private sales getting stuck halfway.
• Leaving the vehicle uninsured in the garage. As of June 30, 2024, this is no longer a grey area.
• Reselling within twelve months after receiving the Ecobonus. The ownership constraint is annual and verifiable: early resale triggers the full repayment of the contribution.
• Forgetting the inspection. For mopeds, the first inspection is carried out four years after the first registration, then every two years.

If you are still evaluating which model to purchase, start with the guide to choosing an electric scooter, with a comparative table of range, battery, and prices.

Last updated: July 2026. Stamp duty amounts, procedures, and penalties may vary: always verify with the competent Civil Motorization office and on the Automobile Portal. Insurance coverage conditions depend on the individual contract and should be read in the policy terms.