Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate an electric kick scooter.Įlectric scooters are not allowed to exceed 15 mph on any public roads or bike lanes in California. These scooters should also not exceed 100 lbs. So long as they weigh less than 75 lbs., have handlebars, and do not exceed 20mph, no license, registration, or insurance is required.ĭespite the legal top speed of 20 mph for electric scooters in Arkansas, users are generally not permitted to ride faster than 15 mph. In Arizona, electric kick scooters are classified similar to bikes. The power output of electric scooters should not exceed 750W. For 14 and 15 year olds, an M2 permit is required, while an M1 or M3 permit is required for those 16 and older. Other cities like Auburn and Tuscaloosa do not allow scooters on city streets.īecause Alaska lacks regulations specific to electric kick scooters, they are considered “motor driven cycles”, which means riders will need a motorcycle permit.
For example, in Birmingham, electric kick scooters are classified as motor vehicles and require similar licensing and registration to a motorcycle. Some states in the US may allow you to ride on bike paths or sidewalksĪlthough electric scooters are legal in Alabama, the state has allowed local governments to further develop upon these laws. Do I need insurance for my electric scooter? That will also depend on your state’s laws, so check below for more details.
However, this does not apply to other types of electric scooters or mopeds, which would require a license and/or registration. Nine states have decided to require driver’s licenses to ride a kick scooter, as well. Do electric scooters require a license, registration, or insurance?įor electric kick scooters, North Carolina is the only state that requires registration right now. Others have extended this law to require helmets for all ages, and even if you are not legally obligated to wear a helmet, it is still highly recommended for your safety. Many states have a minimum rider age of 16, and states also often require a helmet for minors under 18. What is the minimum age to ride a scooter? Do I need to wear a helmet? Although only officially banned in 10 states, riding on the sidewalk is at the very least frowned upon in many urban areas, as it can interfere with pedestrian traffic. It’s always best to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles as to whether this is legal or not. The laws for riding scooters on sidewalks may be more complicated. At this time, only two states have completely banned scooters from riding on the street: Pennsylvania and Delaware. Some states may limit scooters to riding on roads with even lower speed limits (see below). Kick scooters are not allowed on highways or high-speed streets (with a speed limit over 35 mph). For more details about local speed limits, view individual state laws below. However, some sharing services have actually limited their electric scooters to a maximum speed of 10-15 mph. Other states allow scooters to travel up to 30mph. Here are some general guidelines for electric scooters throughout the US: What is the speed limit for electric scooters?Įlectric scooters cannot exceed 20 mph in many states within the US. Scooter sharing services have seen explosive growth and are available in many major cities now, which has brought micromobility to the forefront of US lawmakers’ attention.Īlthough electric kick scooters are generally legal to ride in the US, where and how you can ride may differ between states. US scooter laws may vary widely by state, including where and how you can ride You should always confirm the most current electric scooter laws and regulations in your area by contacting your local transportation authorities. Please note that laws are constantly changing and updating. In this article, we have assembled the most important electric kick scooter laws and policies to be aware of in the US, and for each specific state as well. Many have already discovered the benefits of electric scooters as a commute alternative to a car.
However, personal ownership of kick scooters has also seen an increase, as users realize the convenience of a portable mobility option for everyday life. The recent popularity of kick scooters as a “last-mile” transport option has given rise to a number of ride sharing services. These questions have become increasingly common as more companies launch kick scooters and enter the micromobility industry. Are electric scooters legal everywhere in the US? Where can I ride an electric scooter? What are the local scooter laws by state?