
With rising fuel costs and pressure to embrace green fuels, many people are thinking about turning to electric scooters - but are they legal to buy and what are the rules around using them and will a UK law change see them become legal in 2022? Find out the answers here.
Is it legal to buy and use electric scooters during
lockdown? (Credit: Pixabay)
Privately owned electric scooters to be made legal in UK law change
The use of electric scooters owned by members of the public are to be legalised as part of the government’s upcoming Transport Bill.
This will reverse the current situation, as outlined below, that is currently how the law stands in the UK.
Speaking in the House of Lords, transport minister Baroness Vere said the Government will move “to create a regulatory framework for smaller, lighter, zero-emission vehicles, sometimes known as e-scooters”.
She continued: “It is our intention that the [Transport] Bill will create a low-speed, zero-emission vehicle category that is independent from the cycle and motor vehicle categories.
“New powers would allow the Government to decide the vehicles that fall into this new category in future and how they should be regulated to make sure that they are safe to use. We hope that e-scooters will be the first of these vehicles.”
Full details of the Transport Bill will be released in the near future and we will update this page accordingly.
What restrictions could be place on e scooters if made legal?
One thing is for sure, the use of e scooters will not simply be made legal without any restrictions. Use of the 'vehicles' is likely to come with restrictions, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety advised the following:
- Maximum possible speed of 12.5mph (20km/h) and maximum continuous rated motor power of 250 W
- Anti-tampering mechanisms should be included in construction. Tampering should be prohibited by law
- Minimum front wheel size of 12 inches (30.5cm) and minimum rear wheel size of 10 inches (25.5cm)
- Two independently controlled braking devices, one acting on the front wheel and one acting on the rear wheel
- Lighting to be mandatory at all times
- Maximum unladen weight of 20kg
- An audible warning device to be mandatory
- Helmet wearing to be mandatory
- Riding on the footway (pavement) or footpath to be prohibited
- Rider age limit of at least 16 years
- Carrying of a passenger to be prohibited
- Drink driving, dangerous or careless riding, and handheld mobile phone use to be prohibited.
- In-person rider training and third party insurance are recommended
What are electric scooters currently defined as in law?
Does this mean that electric scooters are classed the same as a car etc?
Is it legal to use the electric scooter on roads in the UK?
Is it legal to ride electric scooters on the pavement or cycle lanes?
Is it legal to buy an electric scooter and where can I buy one?
I read reports saying it was legal to use electric scooters in cities and towns in 2021?
What could happen if I am stopped by the police?
What is the fine for using an electric scooter on the road or other public space?
Can I use an electric scooter to drive back from the pub when drunk?
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