Are E-Scooters Legal In The UK?
Published December 2, 2021
E-Scooters, or Electric Scooters, are scooters that run with a motor. They are currently recognised as “powered transporters” and fall under the same laws and regulations as motor vehicles. This means you must be 18 or over to use them on public highways. They are also subject to MOT, tax, licensing and specific construction.
E-scooters have become massively popular in recent years. One retailer saw a 184% increase in sales in 2020 (source). However, the current laws regarding E-Scooters in the UK can be a bit unclear. This blog aims to explain the current legality of E-Scooters, as of July 2021.
Are E-Scooters Legal?
Currently, the Government is in the process of running E-Scooter trials across the UK. They aim to explore the impacts, both positive and negative, of E-Scooters on public roads. Progress has been made since the start of these trials, with it now being legal to purchase, own, and sell E-Scooters.
However, despite it being legal to own your own E-Scooter, you cannot yet use them out in public (source). Privately owned E-Scooters must be used on private land. If you do not own the land, you must have permission from the land’s owner before riding your E-Scooter there.
Rental E-Scooters
As part of the Government’s trial scheme, Rental E-Scooters are available to use in public spaces. This means you are still able to try out E-Scooters in public, just not a privately owned one. You can find these rental scooters in most UK cities. These scooters are subject to local rules and regulations and are available to use within certain geographical boundaries.
This allowance came into effect on July 4th, 2020.
To use Rental E-Scooters, you must possess a driving licence with category Q entitlement. With E-Scooters considered to be motor vehicles, you must also be over 18 to rent them.
When Will E-Scooters Be Legal?
The UK Government will be delivering a verdict on updating E-Scooter laws in Spring 2022. In the meantime, trials are ongoing – meaning the more positive use of E-Scooters they can see in the next few months, the better!
As things stand, owners of E-Scooters will have to await the Government’s decision. Fortunately, it remains legal to purchase and own an E-Scooter. Consider getting some practice on private land to prove that E-Scooter riders can be responsible.
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