The Process for a new build 45Kmh/28mph Speed Pedelec EAPC Bicycle.
For this process you need a type approved bicycle that comes with a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) your bike will be registered under vehicle classification L1e-B (basically a Moped)
Shout out to Jamie at the Cambridge Electric Bike Shop who patiently wentthrough this process with me over a period of 3 months.
Apply for a “New Vehicle Import Pack” from the DVLA
This pack will contain:
Form V55/4 “Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a new motor vehicle”
Form V267 “Declaration that a Vehicle is new”
Plus various guidance leaflets.
A leaflet in the pack will tell you to complete NOVA (Notice of Vehicle Arrival) registration with HMRC. THIS IS NOT NECESSARY despite what the DVLA and HMRC helplines may say an electric vehicle of 7.2Kw or less is not required to register NOVA. Their own websites clearly state this!
Most of the technical information required to fill in V55/4 is taken from the CoC. Other information is personal details Name, address etc.
V267 required details such as chassis number, CoC number, name and address of person or business that imported the vehicle.
Now you return the forms
plus supporting documents to the DVLA as follows:
Covering Letter explaining what it is you are doing. (optional but highly recommended)
Original completed form V55/4
Original completed form V267
Evidence of type approval. This must be the original CoC.
Evidence of the date you collected the vehicle and how it was brought into the country. I used the manufacturers delivery note to the dealer I purchased the bike from.
Copies of documents confirming your name and address. I used a photocopy of my driving licence.
A cheque of £55 to pay the first registration fee.
The vehicle is £Zero rated so there is no need to send further cheque for Road Tax.
Post all this to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BE.
If there are no problems then some time later (2-4 weeks) you will receive a V5 registration document and your bike will be taxed for the first year.
Problems I experienced
The DVLA returned my initial application stating that it was not necessary to register an ebike in the UK, I had to return my application with a new covering letter explaining why they were wrong in this case.
The DVLA discovered the chassis number was already registered in Belgium! Long story short, my bike was returned to manufacturer and a replacement built!
Now……. you can enjoy your 28mph Ebike
Notes.
Insure the bike, choice is extremely limited and expensive, I ended up paying around £300 fully comprehensive (MCE or Bikesure were the only realistic options) , unfortunately as I only have car insurance my NCD didn’t apply to bike insurance.
You also need a CBT licence unless you have a full UK driving licence from prior to 2001.
You will need to fit a rear motorcycle number plate.
You’ll need a motorcycle helmet, not ideal so search around for something with appropriated specs that is designed for a Speed Pedelec ~ ventilation is essential~ they are out there, but I’m not suggesting or recommending anything as your safety is your responsibility.
Remember this is a moped you cant ride in bike lanes or shared paths.
It will need an MOT after 3 years, there are notes on the DVLA website that will help when the time comes.
Things your bike must have…A Headlight, A horn, A rear light, brake light and number plate light, a number plate and rear view mirror.
My experience is only for a 28mph EAPC, new, type approved bicycle, there are other processes for other types of ebike that I know nothing about.
I hope this helps explain this process to anyone interested in doing this. My commute is 7 miles each way on roads, no cycle paths so it was any easy choice, if I had a decent cycle path to work I would not have gone the Speed Pedelec route. Having done that commute for 2 years on a normal ebike I grew frustrated with the bike controlling my speed (15.5mph) rather than me deciding how fast is appropriate. The Speed Pedelec is a joy to ride, I cruise around 20mph with 23-25mph easily possible if I’m going for it. Over 25mph is too much really as wind resistance and road conditions start to play a disproportionate part on the pleasure.
The bike is a Riese & Muller HS Cruiser Vario, the quality of this machine is unlike anything i have ever experienced in my 50 years of cycling, it is a joy to ride
MIke
For this process you need a type approved bicycle that comes with a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) your bike will be registered under vehicle classification L1e-B (basically a Moped)
Shout out to Jamie at the Cambridge Electric Bike Shop who patiently wentthrough this process with me over a period of 3 months.
Apply for a “New Vehicle Import Pack” from the DVLA
This pack will contain:
Form V55/4 “Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a new motor vehicle”
Form V267 “Declaration that a Vehicle is new”
Plus various guidance leaflets.
A leaflet in the pack will tell you to complete NOVA (Notice of Vehicle Arrival) registration with HMRC. THIS IS NOT NECESSARY despite what the DVLA and HMRC helplines may say an electric vehicle of 7.2Kw or less is not required to register NOVA. Their own websites clearly state this!
Most of the technical information required to fill in V55/4 is taken from the CoC. Other information is personal details Name, address etc.
V267 required details such as chassis number, CoC number, name and address of person or business that imported the vehicle.
Now you return the forms
plus supporting documents to the DVLA as follows:
Covering Letter explaining what it is you are doing. (optional but highly recommended)
Original completed form V55/4
Original completed form V267
Evidence of type approval. This must be the original CoC.
Evidence of the date you collected the vehicle and how it was brought into the country. I used the manufacturers delivery note to the dealer I purchased the bike from.
Copies of documents confirming your name and address. I used a photocopy of my driving licence.
A cheque of £55 to pay the first registration fee.
The vehicle is £Zero rated so there is no need to send further cheque for Road Tax.
Post all this to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BE.
If there are no problems then some time later (2-4 weeks) you will receive a V5 registration document and your bike will be taxed for the first year.
Problems I experienced
The DVLA returned my initial application stating that it was not necessary to register an ebike in the UK, I had to return my application with a new covering letter explaining why they were wrong in this case.
The DVLA discovered the chassis number was already registered in Belgium! Long story short, my bike was returned to manufacturer and a replacement built!
Now……. you can enjoy your 28mph Ebike
Notes.
Insure the bike, choice is extremely limited and expensive, I ended up paying around £300 fully comprehensive (MCE or Bikesure were the only realistic options) , unfortunately as I only have car insurance my NCD didn’t apply to bike insurance.
You also need a CBT licence unless you have a full UK driving licence from prior to 2001.
You will need to fit a rear motorcycle number plate.
You’ll need a motorcycle helmet, not ideal so search around for something with appropriated specs that is designed for a Speed Pedelec ~ ventilation is essential~ they are out there, but I’m not suggesting or recommending anything as your safety is your responsibility.
Remember this is a moped you cant ride in bike lanes or shared paths.
It will need an MOT after 3 years, there are notes on the DVLA website that will help when the time comes.
Things your bike must have…A Headlight, A horn, A rear light, brake light and number plate light, a number plate and rear view mirror.
My experience is only for a 28mph EAPC, new, type approved bicycle, there are other processes for other types of ebike that I know nothing about.
I hope this helps explain this process to anyone interested in doing this. My commute is 7 miles each way on roads, no cycle paths so it was any easy choice, if I had a decent cycle path to work I would not have gone the Speed Pedelec route. Having done that commute for 2 years on a normal ebike I grew frustrated with the bike controlling my speed (15.5mph) rather than me deciding how fast is appropriate. The Speed Pedelec is a joy to ride, I cruise around 20mph with 23-25mph easily possible if I’m going for it. Over 25mph is too much really as wind resistance and road conditions start to play a disproportionate part on the pleasure.
The bike is a Riese & Muller HS Cruiser Vario, the quality of this machine is unlike anything i have ever experienced in my 50 years of cycling, it is a joy to ride
MIke
