Thinking of buying an e-scooter?
It's that time of year, where everyone is thinking about what to get their kids for Christmas.
If you are thinking of buying an e-scooter, our advice is simple: don't buy one for your child to use to get around in public, because using it that way is illegal.
Although e-scooters are widely available online and in shops, being able to buy one does not mean it can legally be ridden on the road, pavement, in the park or around your neighbourhood.
Unless you have access to suitable private land and permission from the landowner, there may be nowhere your child can legally ride it.
E-bikes are different and many are legal to use on roads and cycle routes, but they must meet specific legal requirements.
High-powered, fast or modified bikes sold as "e-bikes" are often illegal.
A child or young person riding an e-scooter or e-bike illegally or inappropriately can also put themselves and other road and pavement users at risk.
Before you buy, check the law and make sure you understand where and how what you are thinking of buying can legally be used.
What can happen if you ride an e-scooterillegally?
The police have powers to deal with e-scooters being used illegally.
Under UK law, they are classed as motor vehicles. This means they require both a driving licence and insurance.
As there are no insurance products available for private e-scooters or illegal e-bikes, anyone riding one in public is automatically driving uninsured.
Riding an e-scooter illegally carries the same penalties as uninsured driving, including:
- Vehicle seizure and potential destruction.
- An unlimited fine if taken to court.
- Six penalty points on your licence.
- A potential driving ban.
Penalty points can also have consequences for young people who do not yet have a full driving licence - where a rider does not yet hold a licence, the DVLA can create a ‘ghost licence’, meaning penalty points will still apply later.
Staffordshire Police carries out operations to tackle illegal and antisocial use of e-scooters, e-bikes and other powered vehicles.
The easiest way to avoid these consequences is simple: don't ride a privately owned e-scooter in public.
What about rental e-scooters?
Government-approved rental e-scooters are different. They can be used in areas operating an official trial, subject to the rules of that scheme.
There is currently no approved e-scooter rental scheme in Lichfield District.
