Whenever you need to ride down a street, an electric scooter is a very efficient mode of transportation. On the other hand, not everybody can ride an electric scooter on public roadways. It varies from one state to another how electric scooters may be used and what laws must be followed. Before purchasing a scooter, you should know the laws that govern their use in your state and how old you have to be to ride an electric scooter.
Most scooter enthusiasts constantly inquire about the legal age to operate an electric scooter. The regulations govern the use of the various types of electric scooters currently available on the market.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride an Electric Scooter
| E-Scooters (for trial) | |
| Vehicle approval before use | Exempt from vehicle type approval in the RTA 1988. |
| Treated as a motor vehicle | Yes |
| Registration and Taxation | Not required |
| User Driving Licence | Provisional or Full licence required |
| Insurance | Required |
| Helmet Use | Not mandatory but encourage |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Use on-road/ cycle lanes/ pavements | Roads/ cycle lanes, not pavements |
| Speed Limits | 12.5 mph |
How old do you have to be to ride an electric scooter? Individuals who wish to ride an electric scooter must be at least 16 years old. They must have either a provisional or full driver’s licence. While electric scooters are not permitted on public sidewalks or roads, they are permitted on private property in the United Kingdom. If you do not own the private property or land, ensure that you obtain permission from the landowner. You are free to use privately owned e-scooters as long as the land is privately owned and you have permission to use it.
The Rules for Renting an E-scooter
As previously stated, new guidelines are in effect to make it legal for e-scooters for trials, and e-scooters must meet two requirements.
- In trials, e-scooters must be covered by a motor insurance policy; and
- Users of e-scooters must have a valid driver’s licence (or provisional).
However, it appears likely that the government will strive to provide a different set of regulations for e-scooters, excluding them from motor vehicle legislation and regulation. And meanwhile, those in charge of the trials must provide insurance.
Overall safety regulations for trial participants include not using a cell phone, carrying more than one person at a time, and not driving while intoxicated. E-scooter drivers are subject to the same rules as other drivers regarding accidental and reckless driving.
Furthermore, there are distinct difficulties involved in e-scooter expansion and legalisation. The main points of contention are insurance, registration/tracking, and helmet requirements.
Keep Safe While Riding an Electric Scooter
It is critical to stay safe when riding an electric scooter, regardless of your age. Wearing helmets should be mandatory. While there is no law requiring a helmet when riding an e-scooter, it is a matter of common sense. Accidents and falls do happen, and they can be fatal. Wearing a helmet increases your chances of surviving a fall.
If you ride your electric scooter frequently, you should consider purchasing the following safety equipment in addition to a high-quality helmet:
- Wrist protectors
- Elbow braces
- Knee braces
- High-quality athletic shoes.
When it comes to security, you must also ensure that you ride safely at all times. Tricks and stunts can be very appealing, but they can lead to accidents.
It is critical to ride slowly when other people are around. Pedestrians may be injured if you collide with them. Riding a motorcycle at night without lights is not a good idea. You must be visible so that no one walks or rides into you.
Riding on congested streets is not ideal, so you may need to take a different route. If you have a garden with pavement, it might be a good idea to let your kids ride their e-scooter on it. They are much safer in your garden than riding up and down your street. Any child who does not understand how to be safe or why safety is important is too young to ride an electric scooter.
Ride an Electric Scooter to Save Time and Money
What is certain is that the number of electric scooters is growing by the day, and specific laws must be imposed to ensure safety. It is undeniable that they save their owners time and money on the way to and from work and provide entertainment and relaxation. Those who use them daily avoid traffic jams, travel from one part of the city to another faster, and do not have to worry about parking. Electric scooters are a great alternative to cars, and the environmental aspect adds to the overall significance of the storey. As a result, all-electric scooter enthusiasts should remember to wear a helmet, be cautious, and enjoy the ride if they are of legal riding age.
How Are E-Scooters Governed?
While buying and selling e-scooters is legal, there are some restrictions on where they can be used. Retailers must guarantee that consumers are given adequate details and are not misinformed when acquiring an e-scooter. It is permitted to use e-scooters on private property with the consent of the landowner.
E-scooters are subject to the same laws that apply to automobiles. It means that they are subject to legal restrictions on where they can use. It is, for example, a crime to use them on:
- Footpaths, cycle paths, bridleways, narrow byways, and
- A few parking lots, public squares, and industrial estates.
Anyone found guilty of committing these offences may face prosecution and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.
Conclusion
Before you go out and buy an electric scooter, you must be aware that privately run electric scooters cannot presently be legally used on UK roads or pavements. It means they can only use it on private property.
Moreover, the government has since declared a trial of electric scooter rentals in multiple parts of the UK. How old do you have to be to ride an electric scooter? Anyone over the age of 16 with a provisional driver’s licence will legally ride the rental scooters on UK roads under the new legislation, as insurance and taxes will be covered by the rental companies.
