Getting Started in Electric Scooter Racing: License, Equipment, and Machine

To participate in electric scooter racing in France, you need four things: a license issued by the FFM (French Cycling Federation), a scooter that complies with the technical regulations, the complete gear of a motorcycle rider, and timely registration. Nothing is insurmountable, but each step has its challenges. Here's the order in which we recommend proceeding, along with what the 2026 E'trott Racing French Championship regulations state.

Step 1: Test ride on the track before racing

Races are not the ideal environment to discover your machine at high speed. Before registering, we recommend several days of track riding: this is where you learn the racing lines, braking points, flags, and how your scooter behaves when the tires and brakes get hot. It's also a chance to identify any weaknesses in the machine (steering play, brakes that wear out quickly, power cuts) without the pressure of a starting grid. Our guide on track riding days explains how they work.

Step 2: Choose your category

The E'trott Racing championship has two categories, defined by the weight of the scooter: "Light" for scooters weighing 38 kg or less, and "Racing" for scooters weighing over 65 kg. A lightweight and well-prepared scooter can be very competitive in the "Light" category; larger, dual-motor scooters typically compete in the "Racing" category. There is also a team ranking, with two regular riders and one reserve rider. Details can be found in our guide E'trott Racing explained.

Step 3: Obtain your license

Regulation 2026 accepts several licenses issued by the French Cycling Federation (FFM) for the current year:

• The NVE license, which stands for "Nouvelle Mobilité Électrique" (New Electric Mobility), is designed for these types of activities
• National competition (NCO) and youth (NJ) licenses, or a FIM license;
• The LJVE license is valid for a single event and requires a medical certificate confirming the absence of any contraindications to participation in competitions, issued within the last year, and parental authorization for minors.

A day pass is convenient for trying out a race, but it does not allow you to be ranked in the French championship; an annual license is required for that. The license must be obtained from the national federation website at least 72 hours before the event; no licenses are issued on-site. Prices and eligibility requirements change each year: please consult the table and conditions published by the FFM on its website.

Step 4: Getting Equipped

The technical inspection also checks the rider's equipment. Regulation 2026 requires a one-piece full-face helmet, approved to ECE 22.05 or 22.06 standards and less than five years old, a one-piece leather suit, leather gloves, a back protector EN 1621-2, a chest protector EN 1621-3, and high-top shoes or boots that protect the ankle. An airbag is recommended. Please note: the ECE 22.05 helmet standard will no longer be accepted in 2027. All details are provided in our guide on rider equipment.

Step 5: Ensuring compliance

A standard electric scooter rarely passes the technical inspection without modifications. The most common issues that need to be addressed are:

• A hydraulic brake on each wheel (cable brakes are prohibited);
• A red kill switch is located on the handlebars, easily accessible without releasing the grips, and it cuts power to the motors without engaging the brakes
• A lever protector is standard equipment in front of each brake lever;
• Blocked handlebar ends, rounded lever ends, no protruding parts;
• A charging port that is accessible for voltage measurement, and which must not exceed 92.40 V
• The rearview mirrors have been removed, the removable lights have been taken off, and a functional rear red light is present
• a folding mechanism secured by a bolted ring;
• The three license plates and the transponder holder are mounted on the column.

For battery isolation at the workshop and paddock, we install our track racing battery isolator on our racing machines. The complete list, in order of the workshop, is in our guide preparing an electric scooter for the track.

Step 6: Registration and Weekend Preparation

Entries for the championship are made exclusively online, through the FFM registration website, and are paid by credit card. They must be submitted no later than thirty days before the event; after this deadline, they are subject to a surcharge and are accepted subject to availability. The race number is chosen during registration and remains the same throughout the year.

For the weekend itself, plan for the following:

• Your charger and a working extension cord: Charging at the paddock may be subject to a fee charged by the organizer
• Here's what you need to tighten, bleed, and change a tire:
• wear parts: brake pads, tires, levers;
• A mechanic's bracelet is included to provide you with assistance.

Saturday begins with the administrative and technical checks, followed by the mandatory briefing. This is then followed by the official test run, the timed trial, and the races.