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North Dakota e-bike and e-trike laws

✓ Last verifiedVerified Sep 2026Every rule links to the statute or state agency page
In short

Yes. North Dakota's bicycle definition includes three-wheel cycles, so a pedal e-trike with a motor of 750 watts or less is legally a bicycle. You need no license, plate or insurance. You can ride on roads and on bike and multi-use paths unless a local sign says no. Riders under 18 need a helmet on the faster 28-mph Class 3 type.

Does an e-trike count as an e-bike here? Yes.
License
No driver's license, registration, title or insurance is needed for a Class 1-3 e-bike, because e-bikes are excluded from 'motor vehicle' and 'vehicle'.
Helmet
Riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a Class 3 e-bike; no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2 or for adults. (Class 3)
Minimum age
No state minimum age was found for any e-bike class.
Where you can ride
E-bike riders have the rights and duties of drivers on the road and must ride as near the right side as practicable, no more than two abreast.
Sidewalks
No state law was found that bans or allows bicycles or e-bikes on sidewalks (the sidewalk driving ban applies to 'vehicles', which excludes e-bikes); check city rules.
Three wheels

Does an e-trike count as an e-bike?

Yes
“Bicycle" means every device ... having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward or rearward wheel. The term includes an electric bicycle”
N.D.C.C. § 39-01-01(3), (19) ↗
Classes

The e-bike classes

Class 1
Up to 750WAssist to 20 mphNo throttle
N.D.C.C. § 39-01-01(19)(a) ↗
Class 2
Up to 750WAssist to 20 mphThrottle allowed to 20 mph
N.D.C.C. § 39-01-01(19)(b) ↗
Class 3
Up to 750WAssist to 28 mphNo throttle
N.D.C.C. § 39-01-01(19)(c) ↗
Outside the classes
Treated as a motorized bicycle (up to 2 bhp, 30 mph, 32 in. wide) or motorcycle.
operator's license or motorized bicycle permit (age 14+)registrationtitle
A motorized bicycle has two or three wheels, pedals or footrests, up to 2 brake horsepower, a top speed of 30 mph and a width of no more than 32 inches; it is a 'motor vehicle' for registration, title and licensing. A wider or more powerful e-trike would be a motorcycle (Class M license, registration, insurance). Whether insurance is required for a motorized bicycle was not confirmed.
Trikes in our guide

How the trikes we list are treated in North Dakota

136 of the 191 trikes we list fit North Dakota's e-bike rules on their published figures. 11 need checking before you buy, and 44 don't publish enough to tell. We check motor power, top speed and the stated class. Not legal advice.

Show the 136 that fit the rules
The rules

Every rule, with its source

License
  • No driver's license, registration, title or insurance is needed for a Class 1-3 e-bike, because e-bikes are excluded from 'motor vehicle' and 'vehicle'. N.D.C.C. § 39-01-01(47), (104) ↗
Helmet
Minimum age
Where you can ride
Sidewalks
Bike paths and trails
Passengers
Labels
  • Since Jan. 1, 2022, makers and distributors must attach a permanent label showing the class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; tampering that changes speed or engagement is banned unless the label is replaced. N.D.C.C. § 39-10.1-09(1), (4) ↗
Also good to know
Statutes and sources
N.D.C.C. ch. 39-01 (definitions) ↗N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1 (bicycles, incl. 39-10.1-09 electric bicycles) ↗N.D.C.C. ch. 39-06 (operators' licenses; motorized bicycle permit) ↗N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10 (rules of the road) ↗N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.2 (motorcycles and motorized bicycles) ↗
What we couldn't confirm from official sources (4)
  • No 2025 (69th Legislative Assembly) e-bike bill was identified, but the ND bill index blocked automated access, so a 2025 change cannot be ruled out.
  • The bill that enacted 39-10.1-09 and the 3-class definition (believed to be 2021 legislation, given the Jan. 1, 2022 labeling date) was not identified.
  • North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department e-bike rules for state park trails were not reviewed.
  • City sidewalk rules (e.g., Fargo, Bismarck downtown sidewalk bans) were not reviewed.

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Cities, counties and park agencies can add their own rules; check posted signs and confirm with your state before you ride.

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