KNOW THE LAW

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In the UK, the use of privately owned electric scooters, or e-scooters, in public places, such as roads, cycle lanes and pavements and parks is ILLEGAL.

E-scooters are "powered transporters" and are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The laws relating to owning and using a motor vehicle therefore apply to e-scooters, meaning they requires a licence and insurance to use in public spaces. Insurance is currently not available for e-scooters which makes them illegal to use in public. 

A privately owned e-scooter can only be used on private land. 

If you or your child use an e-scooter illegally, you risk facing criminal prosecution. If the e-scooter is involved in an accident and injures or kills someone, the consequences could be severe.

Government rules on the use of privately owned e-scooters can be found here.

There are official e-scooter trial schemes in several cities across the UK. To use an e-scooter within these trials, you must have a driving licence with the category Q  entitlement. Full guidance on official e-scooter trials can be found here.