Electric Scooter and the Law UK – Full Guide for Parents and Kids

  • By: Shyam
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Hello! You can learn in this article everything about Electric Scooter and the Law UK. You may have heard about the police crackdown on scooter riders on UK roads and wondering why that is happening. Well, the reason given is the need to improve road safety.

Electric Scooter and the Law UK

Considering the high volume of road fatalities, it is the responsibility of road managers to reduce the figure. The police are ensuring battery powered scooter riders comply with current road use restriction law.

I know most parents see battery powered scooters as toys for kids. If you think this way, you might be correct but considering the Law UK, you are not.

Presently, scooters are not permitted on UK roads, although it is possible to find a couple of riders, hence the police operation.

If the police are arresting riders, does this mean you cannot buy a battery powered scooter?

Of course, no! There are few places you can ride the scooter, but the existing law forbids riding it on major roads. Hence, the discussion: “the battery powered scooter and the UK law.”

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Scooter Defined

A scooter is a two or three-wheeled micromobility device with handlebars, a floorboard for foot placement. This micromobility transport appliance may not need a license or plate registration. The rider may use any class of driver license that certifies their road use competency for safety.

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in UK?

Going by the definition of a scooter, little wonder its restriction on UK roads. However, some scooters meet the road use regulations if the government would allow it. Anyway, you will find out the reason for the ban if you continue reading.

Giving the design of roads, to allow free use of scooters will require significant restructuring.

For safety reasons, scooter riders need to watch where to ride the device as competing with vehicles may be dangerous.

Also, riding on pavement meant for pedestrians will infringe on their right of way, hence the need to protect them.

While safety is a valid reason for road use restriction, there is existing legal restriction dating back over 150 years.

Therefore, while some scooter riders use the roads, they do that illegally. If you buy a scooter for adults at this time, you may have to deal with police harassment due to road use restriction. Otherwise, you can comply with the law and save yourself some embarrassment.

Where Can You Ride Electric Scooters in the UK?

If you are elsewhere outside the UK, you may ride an electric scooter anywhere you want. But as far as the UK roads are concerned, restrictions apply. According to the Department for Transport, riding scooters on the roads and pavement are forbidden. However, it may be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission.

The UK law classifies battery powered scooter as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs). Being a PLEV means that scooter owners need a suitable insurance policy and number plates. Also, the rider must have a license and helmets to ride the device.

Failure to obey the law could attract penalty; precisely the same punishment as a vehicle owner. An example was a legal action involving a Go-Ped scooter in 2000. Its rider was convicted for running a red light and for lack of insurance and use of a helmet.

Legally, scooters do not currently fit into the class of micromobility allowed on the UK roads. Until the law is reviewed, scooter owners will need to ride elsewhere.

Although, the government might rescind its decision on restriction until then there is a need for caution. But when the ban is lifted, riders may have to face the stringent laws applicable to vehicles.

Why is Electric Scooters Illegal in the UK?

While electric scooters can solve road congestion and air pollution crises in cities, it uses on UK roads is illegal. The ban on the appliance is not intentional; it’s only a victim of moribund law enacted in 1835.

Yes, you heard, right! The rule was to regulate the use of horses and carriages but caught up with today’s battery powered scooters.

The Scooter is a victim of definition, which classifies it as PLEV and thus the current restriction. Although, parents need not worry about electric scooters for kids running at speed less than 15mph.

Of course, kids do not go on the road and won’t constitute a nuisance to other road users.

With its road decongestion and air pollution benefits, there is a call for a review of the road use law. Until the government accedes to the request for amendment, I recommend finding the right place to ride.

Electric Scooter Law in the UK

The UK Department for Transport says the battery powered scooter is not currently allowed on the road.

You may not ride it on the pavement either. If you must ride, do it in your private property or authorized places.

It is recommended to get permission from the owner before riding on other people’s private property.

The electric scooter is classified as micro mobility or known as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC). These appliances do not require a license, no need to register, obtain tax, or be insured to use.

However, the rider must be 14 years of age and above.

The law requires an EAPC to have pedals for propelling the device or meet the following criteria:

  • Show the power output and the motor manufacturer
  • It must show the battery voltage and the maximum speed
  • The battery powered motor must have 250 watts maximum power output
  • The maximum speed should be 15.5mph
  • It should have 2 or 3 wheels

Use of EAPC (scooters) devices in the UK

While the EAPC categorized appliances are not limited to scooters, riders need to apply the general rules.

Necessarily, scooters are considered Personal Light Electric Vehicle with a maximum speed of 15.5mph which is below the approved speed limit for road use.

The following are rules guiding the use of EAPC (scooter) on UK roads:

  • Scooters are banned from UK roads
  • An EAPC of more than 250 watts motor is regarded as moped and must comply with vehicle regulations:
  • Rider must be 16 years and above
  • Must have valid CBT or car license
  • Must wear a helmet and use “L” plate where applicable
  • Rider must have insurance cover, tax, and MOT where applicable

It should be noted that full-bred scooter law regulating its use on UK road is not in place at the moment. The reason for this is because the use of scooters is currently illegal.

The Review of the UK Transport Law

Need to solve road congestion and air pollution in the UK is ground to review the ban. The UK Urban Mobility review is working out modality to allow the use of scooter as the best alternative to transportation.

The government is thinking of changing the over 150-year-old ban that affects the use of scooters. It means scooter riders will soon heave a sigh of relief to use their gadgets on the roads.

The indication from the transport minister shows that the UK will soon have access to all micromobility without collision with the law.

This review couldn’t be timelier as scooters are a common sight in most modern cities in Europe and America. Even in Britain, the technology is catching with riders seen across the city not minding the ban.

Presently, the Highway Act forbids the use of battery powered scooters on a footpath unless when parking. The law is insensitive to current reality and legalizing it is the best way.

Are you ready to Ride on UK Roads?

One of the reasons to choose the best scooters is the need to comply with the law. While the agitation to its use on UK road is on, there will be more stringent laws when it’s allowed.

Unless you buy the right type of scooter, you may face compliance issue all over again.

I did a review of the best electric scooter UK to help to pick the device. My list of best scooters categorized it according to age from adolescent to teenage and adult. From the list, you can select what is most suitable for you, including picking the best for your kid.

At the current rate of things, the UK government might lift the ban soon and reel out conditions to use scooter on its roads. Available vehicle regulation shows that only serious riders will scale through.

Choosing the Best Electric

Selecting the best electric scooter takes grit and adequate knowledge of the technology. I have done a comprehensive review for you in this regard.

Battery Powered scooters offer a fantastic way for people to travel faster. These devices are fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

There are several scooters on the market; the following are what to consider when buying:

  • The right terrain: pavement or road
  • Portability: foldable or dismantling
  • Maximum load: Body weight and size
  • Quality and budget: Check durable and affordable ones
  • Speed and brakes: High speed and efficient brakes are important
  • Warranty: Choose one with reasonable warranty offer

That’s all! Thank you for reading this article! If you need information about scooters law in the US see the links below at the related posts.

Related posts:
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