Electric scooters, or e -scooters, are legal to own in the UK, however, they come with restrictions and laws on where they can be used.
E-scooters have become a progressively popular transport in the last six months, but lawfully privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements.
Let us dive into some of the laws surrounding electric scooters:
At the moment, e-scooters are recognised as ‘’powered transporters’’, which is a term used to cover a range of new and emerging personal transport devices which are powered by a motor. This makes e-scooters fall under the same laws and regulations as other motor vehicles.
But e-scooters don’t always have number plates, signalling ability, or rear red lights, and so they cannot be used legally on public roads.
The only e-scooters that can be used on public roads are those rented as part of government-backed trials.
Although they can be bought, the only place an e-scooter can be used is on private land. So, if an e-scooter driver uses their scooter on a public road they can be stopped by the police and may even be penalised.
Government trials:
Electric scooter rental trials have been underway in several areas across the UK, including Newcastle and Sunderland, with a view of making them legal to use on public roads in the future. The government-backed trials are testing the possibility of e-scooters as safe public transport.
The trial period has been extended until the end of March 2022 so that the government can gather comprehensive statistics before any official law changes are proposed.
To use publicly owned e-scooters you need to have a category Q entitlement on your UK driving licence and follow the highway code. Helmets are recommended to wear at all times but not legally required, and the police can issue fines for dangerous driving, such as riding on the footway or using a mobile phone.
What to do if you are involved in an accident?
Despite e-scooters being illegal to use on public roads (except for the government-backed electric scooters), there have been cases of serious accidents due to negligent riders. If you are involved in an accident with an electric scooter, we would advise you to seek compensation for your injuries or any financial losses as a result of the accident.
Because the current laws on e-scooters are a bit complex, it would be best to have professional assistance while claiming compensation. Our solicitors can help you with any complicated issues that might arise during the process and can assist you from start to finish.
