Legal Requirements for E-scooters
Many people are unaware of the legal requirements attached to using e-scooters. You must hold a valid driving licence to use one that includes the category Q entitlement. A full or provisional UK licence for categories AM, A or B includes entitlement for category Q and enables you to use an e-scooter.
If you hold an overseas driving licence, you can use an e-scooter in the UK if you hold a valid full licence from an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or have a valid full licence from another country that entitles you to drive a small vehicle (such as cars, mopeds, or motorcycles) and you entered the UK within the last 12 months.
Using a private e-scooter
It is currently illegal to use a private scooter on public roads, pavements, footpaths or in cycle lanes. If you use an e-scooter illegally you could receive a fine, points on your licence and the e-scooter could be impounded.
However, these rules are currently being reviewed and many believe that using private e-scooters on public roads and pavements could soon become legal. The changes were originally due in 2022 following the Queen’s Speech in May and the unveiling of a new Transport Bill. This has now been postponed until late 2023 or even into 2024 depending on parliamentary availability.
Should I insure my electric scooter?
There is most definitely a need to insure electric scooters as proven by the published accident figures from the government showing that there has been a rise in the number of reported road casualties involving e-scooters. In 2020 there were 460 accidents involving e-scooters, 484 casualties in accidents involving e-scooters, of which 384 were e-scooter users, and of the 484 casualties one person was killed.
However, as mentioned above, it’s not yet legal to drive private e-scooters in public places so it’s not possible to obtain insurance. Once it does become legal though, insurance will most definitely be required. Electric scooters are classed as a personal light electric vehicle (PLEV) so they will need to be insured just like any other vehicle to cover you for accidents, damages or thefts.
If you are riding an e-scooter that is part of an official trial, then insurance is already provided through the scheme so you don’t need to worry.
Once e-scooters are legalised we expect insurers to react quickly, bringing new products to the market designed specifically for e-scooters.
