Electric scooter laws

What is an e-scooter?

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of “powered transporters”; this covers a range of personal transport devices which are powered by a motor.

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 198. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax.

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. If you're using a private e-scooter you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for no insurance. 

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

Legal use of an e-scooter

It's legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner.

Where a trial rental scheme is running, it's legal to use a rental e-scooter on a public road or cycle lane, provided you have the correct licence and follow road traffic regulations. 

Disclaimer:

It is each customer’s sole responsibility to ensure that their E-scooter is used in accordance with all laws in their country of residence. Under current UK law, E-scooters are not to be used in the UK on public roads, cycle lanes or footpaths. Each customer, when purchasing through this website or otherwise from this website’s operator, Xcooters Ltd, accepts full responsibility for the use of their E-scooter and/or any other products they may purchase. Xcooters and its owners and employees shall have no direct or indirect liability as a result of a customer’s improper use of their E-scooter.