E-scooters are classified 'powered transporters' which means they are subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles, for example, MOT, tax and licensing.
In the UK, you are legally allowed to buy and own an electric scooter. However, it is illegal to use a privately-owned one on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes and they can only be legally used on private land.
The Government are currently trialling the use of hop-on-hop-off e-scooters that you can ride legally. They are available to rent in key destinations, such as Bristol, Birmingham and London. The Bristol region's ongoing trial of e-scooters was recently extended to November 2022. But what are the rules for being able to use them?
Many people do not realise you need a full or provisional licence to ride one of the hop-on scooters. If you have one of these licences, you can use an e-scooter. If you're in London you have to complete an online course first on the e-scooter app.
E-scooters must have motor insurance, but this will be provided by the e-scooter operator for the hop-on scheme scooters (eg the Council).
You should wear a cycle helmet when using an e-scooter, but this is not a legal requirement.
Importantly, you must not use an e-scooter on the pavement, although many have been seen to be doing this. Electric scooters in Bristol and Bath might soon be fitted with on-board cameras to stop them being used on pavements.
A round-up of other rules is below:
There are well-founded concerns about the risk posed by e-scooters to pedestrians, especially those with disabilities. People are therefore calling for more measures to prevent their use on pavements, which may be helped if the on-board cameras are fitted.
It appears that the use of e-scooters in various trials has led to a rise in accidents involving personal injury. Late last year a report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety found that Bristol A&Es treated 90 e-scooter injuries between May and June 2021 alone. There have also been reports of the scooters being used by people under the influence of alcohol or drugs. People can be prosecuted under drink or drug driving laws as careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to users of e-scooters.
If you are injured in an accident involving an e-scooter it may be possible to make a personal injury claim. At Augustines Injury Law we are happy to offer a free initial telephone call to advise clients on their potential options and whether or not they can bring a claim.