An e-step you can simply ride on the cycle path, with a licence plate, insurance and a warranty. Since the licence plate requirement of 1 July 2025, that is exactly what you are looking for if you want to ride on Dutch roads. In this guide you read how to recognise such a step and what to look out for when buying.
In short
- First check whether the model is on the list of RDW-approved e-steps. That is the most important step.
- An approved e-step has a licence plate, can be insured and is allowed on the cycle path.
- Then look at service, warranty and a good place to park it.
1. Start with the RDW list
The RDW keeps an official list of approved e-steps. If a model is on it, it is allowed on public roads with a licence plate. If it is not, it is not, however nice it may be. Check the exact type designation, because models sometimes look alike.
The SELANA Alpha was the first stand-up e-step with a Dutch national type approval. Curious why the approval is so strict? Read why so few e-steps pass the RDW approval.
2. What a licence plate gives you
- The cycle path is yours. You ride on cycle and moped paths, and on the road where there are none.
- No driving licence needed. Anyone aged 16 or over can ride. A helmet is not required, but it is smart.
- Simply insured. With ANWB you ride WA-insured from EUR 6,28 per month (for members). Everything about cover is in insuring an e-step.
- Sorted. You get a registration certificate, a warranty and a fixed address for service.
3. What else to look out for
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| Papers | A legal e-step comes with a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). That is used to register the licence plate. |
| Service and warranty | Choose a brand with a service network in the Netherlands and parts in stock, so a repair is arranged close by and quickly. |
| Build quality | A sturdy frame, disc brakes front and rear and good air tyres: you notice it every day, on cobblestones and in wet weather. |
| Parking | An e-step with a licence plate is a full vehicle. A storage room, shed or ground-floor storage is ideal. |
How to ride a SELANA Alpha
- Choose your Alpha. Order online from EUR 1.900,00, or book a test ride first at one of our dealers.
- We arrange the licence plate. Thanks to the national type approval, a separate inspection is not needed. You pay a one-off EUR 55,00: EUR 50,00 goes to the RDW, EUR 5,00 is admin. How registration works.
- Insure it. With ANWB or another insurer.
- Ride. With a 24-month warranty on the main parts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a second-hand e-step?
Yes, if the model is RDW-approved. The licence plate is put in your name through the RDW. Ask the seller for the registration certificate and the CoC. More tips in buying a second-hand e-step.
Can my 14-year-old ride an e-step?
On private property, yes. On public roads you can only ride from age 16.
Can my employer contribute?
Yes, for example through the work-related costs scheme (WKR) or the tax-free mileage allowance. We list the options in an e-step from work.
Can I bring an e-step from abroad?
Only if the RDW has approved it as a special moped. An approval in another country does not count in the Netherlands.
Further reading
- All the rules for e-steps at a glance
- All RDW-approved e-steps compared
- E-step or e-bike for commuting?
Sources: Rijksoverheid and RDW. Last updated: November 2026.
