Avoid e-scooters - they are illegal on public roads and areas
Many children and teenagers ask for e-scooters at Christmas, and we know lots of parents feel the pressure to say yes. While they may seem like a fun and modern gift, it's important to remember that privately owned e-scooters are not currently legal to use on public roads, pavements or cycle paths.
Using them in public can result in fines, points on a driving licence, and even the scooter being seized.
Before buying, make sure you understand the law and think carefully about where and how it would be used.
Key things you need to know:
- Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements,
- They cannot be used in any public area.
- They can only be used on private land with the permission of the land owner.
- You can't insure privately owned e-scooters.
If you ride a privately owned e-scooter in public, you face:
- It being seized - you won't get it back and it will be disposed of.
- A £300 fine.
- 6 points on your driving licence.
- If you have a provisional driving licence or don't have a valid licence - you will get a further 3 points and a further £100 fine.
Staffordshire Police are carrying out ongoing operations to target and remove privately owned e-scooters from our roads, so we strongly recommend you do not purchase them this Christmas unless you have direct access to privately owned land and the permission of the landowner to use them only on that and other private land.