In this guide
Short answer: most electric scooters sold online are not allowed on Dutch public roads. The Dutch government’s page on e-steps states: “de meeste e-steps die worden aangeboden, zijn niet goedgekeurd” (most e-steps on offer are not approved), and only approved e-steps may use the road (rijksoverheid.nl).
If you have just arrived and are thinking about how to cover the distance between your home and the station, check this before you buy or ship a scooter.
New to getting around here? Read our complete cycling guide for expats on buying a bike and traffic rules.
Why so few e-steps are allowed
An electric step without pedal assistance belongs to the special mopeds (bijzondere bromfietsen). The government page says that applying for a licence plate for a non-approved e-step is not possible (“Een kenteken aanvragen voor een niet-goedgekeurde e-step is niet mogelijk”), and that these e-steps may not go on the road. For special mopeds with a national type approval, the RDW notes that the manufacturer usually arranges the licence plate (rdw.nl). Approval therefore comes from the manufacturer’s side, before the product reaches you.
What is allowed
The RDW publishes the list of e-steps that may use public roads with a licence plate. When we checked on 6 October 2026 it named the Yedoo Mezeq, Kickbike Luxury, Kickbike Fat Max, Kickbike Cruise, Selana Alpha (type bondi.007.NL001), LEV one (type one), Segway eKickScooter Ninebot MAX G3 (type 051601NL), Air6 Pro+ Suspension (type SH32), NAVEE Electric Scooter GT3 Pro (type GT3 Pro-NL) and NAVEE Electric Scooter ST3 Pro (type ST3 Pro-NL). The list on the RDW site is the authority, not this article, so check it before you buy, because it can change.
An e-step with pedal assistance, where you have to kick along yourself to keep moving, is also allowed without a licence plate, and the same rules apply as for an electric bicycle. An e-step that has both pedal assistance and a throttle is not allowed on the road (RDW).
The rules for an approved e-step
According to Rijksoverheid (checked 6 October 2026), for an approved e-step without pedal assistance:
- No driving licence is needed and no helmet is required (a helmet can still be sensible).
- Keep to the right as much as possible, and do not ride on the pavement.
- You must have liability insurance (WA) and put the insurer’s sticker on the e-step.
- The maximum speed is 25 km/h.
For a non-approved e-step, the police can issue a fine or confiscate it. The page does not state an amount.
The scooter you already own
The rules do not stop you from owning an e-step; they stop you from using a non-approved one on the public road. Using it on private land with the owner’s permission is a different matter. The government and RDW pages describe no route to approve an individual non-approved model after purchase. If you already bought one, your options are to keep it for private use or sell it where it is allowed. Do not assume a quiet street or a low speed changes the rule.
What many newcomers choose: an electric bicycle
An electric bicycle follows the same traffic rules as an ordinary bicycle, according to Rijksoverheid (rijksoverheid.nl, checked 6 October 2026):
- Pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and an electric motor of at most 250 watts.
- No driving licence, no licence plate, no compulsory liability insurance, no minimum age and no helmet requirement.
- You use the cycle path and the bicycle/moped path.
The cabinet plans to introduce a helmet requirement for under-18s on fatbikes and other e-bikes, but the parliament still has to agree (Rijksoverheid). A fatbike counts as an electric bicycle only if it meets the same limits. A speed pedelec (assistance up to 45 km/h, motor up to 4,000 watts) is legally a moped, and wearing a helmet is mandatory.
Buying an e-bike: what to check
- Check the specifications. The listing should state a motor of at most 250 watts and pedal assistance that stops at 25 km/h.
- A throttle changes the classification. Rijksoverheid says a bike with a throttle that makes you go faster than 6 km/h without pedalling is not an electric bicycle. If it is not registered as a speed pedelec, moped or light moped, the police can issue a fine of EUR 320, and after repeated offences can confiscate and destroy the bike.
- Modified bikes are not insured. If you ride a bike that does not meet the rules, you are not insured: damage to the bike, medical costs and damage to others can be for your own account (Rijksoverheid).
- Ask the seller. Sellers of two-wheeled motor vehicles also have to meet requirements, and Rijksoverheid advises you to get good information from the seller.
- New or second-hand: a used city e-bike from a Dutch shop gives you someone local to go back to. Our guide to cycling in the Netherlands covers buying routes, and our post on cycling insurance and theft cover covers insurance.
Summary
Keep a non-approved e-scooter for private land. If you plan to buy an e-step, check the RDW list first. If you want electric assistance for your commute, an electric bicycle with a 250-watt motor and pedal assistance up to 25 km/h follows the ordinary bicycle rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride the electric scooter I brought with me from another country?
Probably not. Only approved e-steps may use Dutch public roads. The government states that most e-steps on offer are not approved ("de meeste e-steps die worden aangeboden, zijn niet goedgekeurd") and that applying for a licence plate for a non-approved e-step is not possible. The RDW publishes the list of models that may be registered with a licence plate. If your scooter is not on that list, use it on private property only.
What happens if the police stop me on a non-approved e-step?
The government page states that the police can issue a fine or confiscate the e-step ("De politie kan een boete geven. Of uw e-step in beslag nemen."). The page does not name an amount, so we do not quote one.
Is an e-bike treated differently from an e-step?
Yes. An electric bicycle (pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, motor up to 250 watts) follows the same traffic rules as an ordinary bicycle: no driving licence, no licence plate, no helmet requirement, no compulsory liability insurance and no minimum age (Rijksoverheid, checked 6 October 2026). A bike with a throttle that drives the motor above 6 km/h, or assistance beyond 25 km/h, is not an electric bicycle in law. A speed pedelec (assistance up to 45 km/h) is legally a moped, and wearing a helmet is mandatory.
Do I need insurance for an approved e-step?
Yes. For an approved e-step without pedal assistance you must have third-party liability insurance (wettelijke aansprakelijkheidsverzekering, WA) and put the insurer's sticker on the e-step (Rijksoverheid). An electric bicycle carries no such obligation.