E-Scooters and the Law

If you are thinking of asking Santa to deliver your loved one an electric scooter for Christmas this year, you may want to consult this article before you do! A privately purchased e-scooter may not be the simplest way to get around. In fact, in addition to the gift of the e-scooter, you may inadvertently cause the beneficiary of your gift to be in a whole a whole load of trouble if they assume the usual laws of the road do not apply to e-scooters.

We’ve definitely seen e-scooters zipping around on the UK’s roads in increasing numbers of late, as a result of nationwide trials held across the country for e-scooter rentals. The trials were intended to help us travel in a more ‘green-friendly’ manner and to reduce the reliance on public or individual transport. The sudden and dramatic increase in the use of e-scooters has left many people wondering about the legal standing of an e-scooter and how motoring laws apply to them.

Currently, e-scooters can only be ridden on the road if hired through a trial scheme. You must also hold a valid provisional driving licence to rent an e-scooter. Insurance should be provided through the trial scheme rental operator.

Privately purchased e-scooters will also require an insurance policy to cover against third-party claims. The e-scooter must also be registered with the DVLA, taxed and have a valid MOT. Unlike a rental scooter, you must hold a full UK licence for a privately purchased scooter. You can only drive these on private property.

Generally, motoring offences will refer to either a motor vehicle or a mechanically propelled vehicle. The term motor vehicle would make most of us naturally assume this means a car or other traditional vehicle, but the Department of Transport have classed e-scooters as falling within the definition of a motor vehicle subject to the following specifications:

• It must be fitted with an electric motor with a maximum power rating of 500W, with no pedals that may propel the vehicle;
• Designed to carry only one person;
• Subject to a maximum speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;
• A mass of 55kg;
• Has means of directional control via handlebars;
• Has means of controlling the speed via hand controls and a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position.

Therefore, driving an e-scooter whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit is a criminal offence and you will be treated the same as if you were driving a car so you would receive a minimum 12 month disqualification from driving, and a financial penalty. In the most serious of cases, this can also lead to a risk of a prison sentence and a much lengthier ban.

This same principles apply for other motoring offences such as careless/dangerous driving, failing to stop, or driving without insurance if committed with an e-scooter rather than a traditional car.

If you are charged with any motoring offence committed whilst on an e-scooter, then please call us to discuss your case. We can apply the same strategies in an e-scooter case as we would to those cases involving a traditional car/lorry etc.

The one bit of good news we are sure you will be pleased to know is that our motoring laws are yet to extend to Santa and his sleigh!