While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it’s currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK. This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres or canal towpaths.
The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.
This is because e-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so they are treated as motor vehicles. As such, if they are used on a road, pavement or public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle.
Here’s the penalties for using a ‘motor vehicle’ on a road or other public place:
Without insurance – 6 points, £300 fine, seizure of vehicle
Without a licence – penalty points, fine, seizure of vehicle
Failing to comply with Construction & Use legislation – ranging from non-endorsable fixed penalty to being reported to court for using in a dangerous condition
Impaired by alcohol/drugs – licence disqualification, fine or penalty points
WMP said: we understand that e-scooters are very tempting for presents, but we would urge people to fully understand the law first.
If our officers find anyone using e-scooters in a public place, the scooter will be seized, and the rider reported for any offences.
We would also urge anyone using an e-scooter legally – i.e. on private land – to carefully consider their safety before doing so. All riders should wear a helmet, younger riders particularly, would benefit from additional protective clothing such as knee and elbow pads to minimise injury.
The government is running trials of e-scooters. They have published additional guidance for members of the general public who are using e-scooters that are part of trial such as VOI.