What is an e-scooter?

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of “powered transporters”; this covers a range of personal transport devices which are powered by a motor.

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax.

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. If you're using a private e-scooter you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for no insurance. 

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

Rental e-scooter trials

Trials of rental e-scooters are taking place in the UK. Anyone using a rental e-scooter on a public road or other public space, has to comply with the relevant road traffic legislation or they face potential prosecution.

To rent an e-scooter you must:

• meet the minimum age limit; these can vary depending on the provider, so please check with them

• hold the correct driving licence (category Q or P/M)

• create an account with the rental company

E-scooters can only be used in approved areas. 

Legal use of an e-scooter

It's legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner.

Where a trial rental scheme is running, it's legal to use a rental e-scooter on a public road or cycle lane, provided you have the correct licence and follow road traffic regulations. 

Penalties and offences

If you don't have a licence, or the correct licence, or are riding without insurance you could face a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Forces set and enforce penalties differently, so the penalty will vary depending on where the offence is committed. 

If you are in Devon and Cornwall, the police will not issue fines, so other forms of penalty will be used if you use an e-scooter in a public place when not part of an approved trial.

For other forces in the UK and Northern Ireland, the Fixed Penalty Notice could include:

• a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance

• a £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence

You could also be committing an offence if you're caught: 

• riding on a pavement; Fixed Penalty Notice and possible £50 fine 

• using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding; £200 and six penalty points

• riding through red lights; Fixed Penalty Notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points

• drink driving: the same as if you were driving a car, you could face court imposed fines, a driving ban and possible imprisonment

If you're using an e-scooter in public in an antisocial manner, you can also risk the e-scooter being seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act. 

When riding an e-scooter, we would always recommend wearing safety protection such as a helmet and to keep to the speed limit.