Nowadays, electric scooters have become part of our daily lives. They replace walking, driving and even public transport, whether it's a long trip or a simple round trip. However, his driving remains very controlled. Before taking a scooter in hand, it is essential to know the standard speed regulations to ride safely and legally under penalty of being sanctioned. Weebot tells you more!
What the law says ?
Riding a scooter is not synonymous with exemption from the rules. As drivers, you will be asked to obey the law. But what laws will you have to deal with? Weebot tells you more!
What is the maximum allowed speed for an electric scooter?
The power of the electric motor of an electric vehicle is expressed in watts. Thus, the power of your engine therefore defines the pace at which you can drive in town. While battery power defines the range of your vehicle.
What is the maximum allowed speed for an electric scooter? The law is clear on this subject: in built-up areas, scooters must not exceed a speed limit of 25 km/h. They are also required to ride on a cycle path. If you do not have cycle paths, you will therefore be authorized to ride on the road on which the maximum authorized speed is 50 km/h.
Note that, unless authorized by the mayor of your city, it is not possible for you to ride on the sidewalks with your electric scooter. You can drive there only if your engine is off and at a maximum speed of 6 km/h so as not to compromise the safety of any pedestrians.
You should also know that the speed of electric scooters depends strongly on the model. Indeed, if you opt for a scooter from the Minimotors range like the Dualtron Thunder, the circulation of your vehicle will be much more controlled because it will be considered a moped. As a user of powerful scooters you will therefore have to face many more prohibitions and will have to be careful to respect the Highway Code on your way to work. Even with a new scooter model, you will not be able to ride on sidewalks or pedestrian crossings.
What penalties do you risk for not respecting the speed regulation?
As you now know, the electric scooter has a maximum speed of 25 km/h in built-up areas. If you do not respect this speed limit, you expose yourself to the penalties set out below:
- If you drive on a sidewalk with the engine running at more than 6 km/h, you will be fined €135.
- If you drive on the road when you have a nearby cycle path , you risk a fine of €135.
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In 2019, Minister Elizabeth tightened the regulations concerning electric vehicles. Thus all parking of personal motorized transport is prohibited under penalty of risking a fine of 135 euros.
- If your scooter is not up to standard (not homologated and unbridled) when you ride on a road or a cycle path, you will have to pay a fine of €1,500.
- If you do not have insurance for your electric scooter, you risk a fine of €3,750.
To avoid being overwhelmed by fines, we recommend that you inquire before purchasing any electric scooters.
Driving your electric scooter while being in good standing
Before driving your scooter, you will have to respect a certain number of rules. By not respecting them, you risk jeopardizing your safety and that of others. Worse still, you may be fined. Weebot gives you tips for riding while being in good standing.
Do you have to insure your electric scooter?
Like many means of transport, insurance is often compulsory to protect the driver and his vehicle in the event of an accident. This is also the case for an electric scooter. The best is to be covered by liability insurance. It will allow you to avoid additional charges in the event of injury, theft or accidents.
We remind you that without insurance, driving your vehicle exposes you to a fine of €3,750. To prove that your vehicle is indeed insured, you will need to stick a sticker on the mudguard of your scooter, making sure that it is as visible as possible.
Do you need a license to drive an electric scooter?
According to the Highway Code, it is quite possible for you to ride an electric scooter without having a license. However, it is recommended to have knowledge of the Highway Code , in order to avoid possible accidents.
Indeed, a large part of accidents is often linked to driving electric scooters. These accidents are not necessarily linked to driving without a license but rather to a difficult cohabitation between scooters and civilians on the sidewalks and roads.
Regulations related to the use of the electric scooter
As you will have understood, to be able to ride an electric scooter, you will have to respect the speed limits but also a certain number of rules so as not to put your safety and that of others in danger:
- It is strongly recommended that the driver wear a retro-reflective vest. This will allow you to be seen by other drivers more easily.
- A horn or bell is also an important part of being able to make yourself heard by civilians.
- An electric scooter is only made to be driven by a driver. Being two on the vehicle is prohibited.
- As for a motorist or a pedestrian, be sure to respect the traffic lights once your two wheels are in hand.
- Do not drive with earphones or headphones : you must be totally focused on the road.
- It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet, gloves, knee pads and wrist guards for your safety on the road.
A few exceptions to consider
Although the scooter ride is very controlled. Regulations may vary depending on where you ride as well as the vehicle you own.
Different speed regulations depending on your city
Depending on your place of residence , many elements may differ and will have to be taken into account. Some cities have specific laws in place for riding electric scooters in their municipalities.
For example, if you ride a scooter in Paris, Anne Hidalgo has limited the top speed on an electric scooter to 20 km/h. It will also be impossible for you to park on the sidewalks or roads of Paris. These laws were put in place to ensure the safety and mobility of Parisian pedestrians.
We therefore recommend that you find out about the regulations in force in your municipality concerning the use of electric scooters.
Scooters faster than the authorized average
Although the law does not allow electric scooters to exceed a maximum speed of 25 km/h , some models defy speed regulations.
Indeed, even if most scooters on the market are limited to 25 km/h , some more powerful and faster models have been created for speed lovers.
You can therefore easily find models reaching between 30 and 100 km/h. These models are more expensive but also better equipped. Very efficient, they are also often suitable for all types of roads. This type of two-wheeler is however more dedicated to regulars of electric scooters.
FAQs
What is the maximum speed allowed on an electric scooter on the road?
The maximum authorized speed for an electric scooter once on the road is 25 km/h. Beyond this limit, you risk a fine of up to €3,750 if you do not have insurance.
How to increase the speed of an electric scooter?
Although it is not recommended to do so, it is possible for you to increase the speed of your scooter. To achieve this, several methods are possible. The most common is to acquire an unclamping kit that allows you to manually increase the speed of your vehicle.
Conclusion
Nowadays, many electric scooters circulate on public roads. However, like every means of transport, the scooter is subject to laws put in place by the Highway Code . Indeed, to drive safely and legally, it is still essential to respect maximum speed limits that must not be exceeded. These are very controlled because if they are not respected, the driver will face penalties.