Electric scooters, sometimes known as e-scooters, are a growing means of transportation; however, there is massive confusion about the time and the place you can use them lawfully. With the assistance of government-backed hiring experiments underway throughout the country, we supposed it was a valuable opportunity to review the current guidelines.
So, please stick with me till the end. Let’s start.
Table of Contents
Is It Lawful To Ride Electric Scooter In The United Kingdom?
Yes, it is. You can ride electric scooters in Uk legally, but there are numerous limitations on where you can use them. There are various electric scooters shops in London from where you can purchase them.
What Are The Places Where Can I Use Electric Scooters?
Electric scooters are now only permitted to be used on personal property with the proprietor’s permission. You have no permission to use them in some areas, including public roads, footpaths, pedestrians, and cycle lanes. If you don’t follow the rules, you will have to face punishment.
Why Is It Unlawful To Use Electric Scooters On Public Highways And Sidewalks?
Presently, the government classifies electric scooters as “electrically charged transporters,” subject to the same rules and regulations that link to all diesel vehicles.
It indicates using electric scooters on sidewalks, cycle lanes, and pedestrians is not legal. But You can use them on public roads only if electric scooters can fulfil the same necessity as engine-related vehicles, such as tax, registration, license, insurance, and building machinery, which is practically not feasible.
There has been talking about considering a law that precisely addresses electric scooters for a long time. There will be some advances soon, especially with the present rental experiments.
When will it be permitted to use electric scooters on city streets and sidewalks?
From the summer of 2020, electric scooter hiring experiments have been taking place in various locations throughout the UK. Local governments have associated with rental companies to evaluate the durability of electric scooters as a secure and efficient method of transportation.
The test has been prolonged to November 30, 2022, to allow for the collection of the most extensive evidence. Before any official modifications to the law’s proposal, the administration expects to initiate another round of consultations.
The government launched a transportation bill according to the declaration in May 2022. It said it would be legal to use personal electric scooters on public highways. Regulation is not in a position yet, but we hope it will be in the coming year. Follow our website and social media accounts for updates.
What is the best place to hire an electric scooter?
Rental experiments of electric scooters are now underway in the following places as of May 2021:
- Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe and princes Risborough)
- Bournemouth and Poole
- Copeland (Whitehaven)
- Cambridge
- Cheshire West and Chester (Chester)
- Derby
- Essex (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester)
- Great Yarmouth
- Gloucestershire (Cheltenham and Gloucester)
- Kent 9Canterbury)
- Liverpool
- Milton Keynes
- North Devon (Barnstaple)
- Newcastle
- North Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe)
- North and West Northamptonshire ( Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough)
- Nottingham
- Norwich
- Oxfordshire (Oxford)
- Rochdale
- Redditch
- Slough
- Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton)
- Salford
- Sunderland
- South Somerset (Yeovil)
- Staffordshire (Stafford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme)
- Somerset West (Taunton and Minehead)
- Tees Valley (Hartlepool and Middlesbrough)
- West of England Combined Authority (Bristol and Bath)
- West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry and Sandwell)
- York
Is It Necessary Having A Driver’s Licence To Ride An Electric Scooter?
Of course, you’ll need a valid full or provisory driving licence with the ‘Q’ grade allowance if you wish to hire an electric scooter from one of the designs described above. You can find this grade on the licence in the AM, A, or B grades. When riding an e-scooter, displaying L plates is unnecessary if you have a temporary permit.
If you own an international driver’s licence, you can ride an e-scooter if you meet the following criteria:
You need to possess a valid full licence issued by a European Union (EU) member or a European Economic Area (EEA). You need to hold a valid full license from another country that allows you to run tiny vehicles, including cars, mopeds, or motorcycles, when you are in the UK for less than a year.
If you have been living in the UK for more than one year, you will need to change your driving licence if you want to keep driving. If you have a temporary foreign permit, beginner permit or identical, you will not get permission to ride an e-scooter.
Is It Necessary To Get Insurance For Electric Scooters?
Yes, motor insurance is required for electric scooters. But your electric scooter rental company will provide it. E-scooters are exempt from registration, showing of registration plates, and payment of vehicle excise responsibility.
Final Thoughts
We think that the safe usage of electric scooters can change the way we travel while also assisting in the reduction of pollution and traffic jams. As a result, we have already started requesting the government to allow the usage of all-electric scooters on public highways.
