This has come from the MET Police
Electric Scooters & Giro’s: the facts
We know that the rules around the use of scooters on the pavements and roads of the capital
are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, this document will hopefully give you sufficient
information regarding the use of electric scooters and giro’s on our roads and pavements and
the law which relates to them.
Are adult electric scooters legal in the UK?
The adult electric scooter is powered partly by a battery motor and is therefore classified as
Personal Light Electric Vehicle (PLEV) by the Department for Transport (DfT),
making it illegal to use on UK roads and pavements.
However, it is legal to use them on private land and property.
Using them on the road commits the offence of “using a motor vehicle with no insurance”, and risks a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on a driving licence.
Can adult electric scooters be used on the road?
No, an electric scooter cannot be ridden on the road for a couple of reasons. The DVLA
requires electric vehicles to be registered and taxed in order to use the road. However,
because the adult electric scooter falls within the PLEV category (Personal Light Electric
Vehicle) its power and low maximum speed mean it cannot be used on public roads in the
- This rule also extends to pavements too.
Can you ride electric scooters on footpaths?
Under the Highway Act, electric scooters are not allowed to be used on a footpath unless
needing to do so in order to park. Some of the same restrictions apply to other spaces, which
are nevertheless accessible to the public, such as car parks, public squares that are not
restricted to pedestrian use, privately owned roads, industrial estates, and university campuses.
There are no statutory restrictions on the use of powered transporters on private land, which
is not accessible to the public. The permission of the owner and/or occupier of the land will
be required however.
Can you use an electric scooter on Cycle lanes, bridleways, and restricted byways?
No, Powered transporters are prohibited from using cycle tracks, cycle lanes on roads, or
other spaces dedicated to pedal cycle use only (section 21(1), Road Traffic Act 1988). EAPCs
and mobility scooters are exempt from this ban.
In addition, powered transporters cannot be used on bridleways or restricted byways (section
34, Road Traffic Act 1988).
Do you need a licence for adult electric scooters?
No, you are not required to have a driver’s licence or learners permit in order to use an
electric scooter because it cannot be used on roads.
Do I need to register or tax an adult electric scooter?
No, you do not need to register an electric scooter and it is tax exempt because it cannot be
used on roads.
Do I need to insure an adult electric scooter?
No, insurance is not required to ride an electric scooter.
Can I ride an Electric Bike in London?
Yes, You can ride an electric bike in England, Scotland and Wales if you’re 14 or over, as
long as it meets certain requirements.
These electric bikes are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You do not
need a An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.
It must show either:
- the power output
- the manufacturer of the motor
It must also show either:
- the battery’s voltage
- the maximum speed of the bike
Its electric motor:
- must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
- should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph
An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).
Where you can ride If a bike meets the EAPC requirements it’s classed as a normal pedal bike. This means you
can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. You do not need a
licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.
Think very carefully before buying one of these.
Met Police.
