Be warned!
- As at 09/2021 the only legal e-Scooters on the road are those provided by a local authority operator.
- The use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads is illegal carrying the potential for a £300 fine and six penalty points (on a driver’s licence).
Currently (12/2022), the only scooters that can be used on public roads are those included as part of government-backed trials.
14/11/2021, ‘One in five e-scooter riders will be in an accident this year, according to research’ (Coventry Live)
Click here for e-Scooter news
21/03/2022, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is urging the Department for Transport (DfT) to urgently address private e-scooter use in the UK following 11 fatalities and at least 900 casualties. PACTS has published a new report, ‘The safety of private e-scooters in the UK’, which has been funded by The Road Safety Trust. Read more at Smart Transport.
22/09/2021, the DfT issued updated guidance for local areas and rental operators. the guidance can be read here: DfT Guidance
These will apply to Electric bikes, known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). Click here for what constitutes an EAPC. These micro-mobility vehicles were the subject of a review Oct’ 2020 Future of Transport Review Response Summary which followed the June 2020 EScooter Rental Trial Outcome
Currently, an e-scooter will continue to fall within the statutory definition of a motor vehicle. The DfT intend to define the sub-category of an e-scooter as being a motor vehicle that:
- is fitted with no motor other than an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating of 500W and is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle
- is designed to carry no more than one person
- has a maximum speed not exceeding 15.5 mph
- has 2 wheels, 1 front and 1 rear, aligned along the direction of travel
- has a mass including the battery, but excluding the rider, not exceeding 55kg
- has means of directional control via the use of handlebars that are mechanically linked to the steered wheel
- has means of controlling the speed via hand controls and a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position
At present there are two rules for the use of a rental scooter:
- covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy – provided by rental operators
- E-scooter users need to have a valid driving licence.
- It is proposed anyone with a full or provisional driving licence can use a trial e-scooter (categories AM, A1, A2, A and B) by permitting those licence holders to ride Category Q vehicles. Users would not be required to complete a mandatory training course (such as the compulsory basic training (CBT) course required for motorcycles and mopeds)
E-scooters will be permitted on the road (except motorways) and in cycle lanes and tracks, where possible.
It is proposed to exempt trial e-scooters from vehicle registration and licensing (vehicle excise duty).