Are electric scooters street legal? This is a great question if you want to hit the road without breaking the law or attracting a fine. Electric scooters have become increasingly popular in the United States, and yes, there are laws to regulate them. U.S. electric scooter laws differ from state to state. So, knowing what your local law requires is in your best interest.
This article explains the legality of electric scooters in various states and shows the limits for each.
Are Electric Scooters Street Legal?
So, are electric scooters street legal?
Electric scooters are street-legal in the United States, but not in all states. Electric scooters are allowed on the street in only 38 states, and ten of them prohibit them. So, there are various local laws regulating their use. Whether or not electric scooters are street-legal depends on where you live. You should know your local laws so you don’t get into trouble.
Also, it’s not enough to stop at street legality when looking at local laws. Why? This is because some of these laws also have conditions for street legality. For example, you are not allowed to ride scooters on highways and expressways in some states (Colorado, New York, California, and Massachusetts). That’s not all; you are also not allowed on roads with limited access and must stay on the right side.
So, why these additional clauses? It’s because of the speedy safety limits needed in these areas. If you think about it, these limits are for your safety!
States Where Electric Scooters are Street Legal
Below is a list of states in the United States where electric scooters are street-legal.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Further Conditions for Street Legality
California – freeways and expressways are not included
Colorado and New York – not legal on limited-access or interstate roads
Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, and Virginia – riders must stay on the right side of the road.
Massachusetts – not legal on limited-access or interstate roads. Also, riders must stay to the right of the road.
States Where Electric Scooters are Not Street Legal
Below is a list of states in the United States where electric scooters are NOT street-legal.
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Kentucky
Michigan
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oregon
Washington
Wisconsin
Legal Considerations for Electric Scooters
How do you know the street legality of electric scooters? The answer is not in one word. Many factors affect the legal status of these scooters. From state regulations to speed limits, they all work together. The following considerations set the street legality status for electric scooters:
State Regulations
There seems to be no unifying federal law that caters to electric scooters. So, electric scooter laws vary across the various states. Each state knows its road network, so we imagine they set their laws accordingly. Notice that legality in some states isn’t absolute? Exactly! Some states allow electric scooters on highways, while others do not. You can see the list of states where electric scooters are street-legal.
Age Restrictions
Not all states in the United States have age restrictions for riding an electric scooter. Apart from the highways, there are age restrictions for riding electric scooters on public streets. Again, this differs from state to state, although most states allow 16-year-olds and older. This is probably because 16 is the legal age for a driver’s license in most states.
The following are some states with a minimum age limit of 16:
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Kansas
Nevada
North Carolina
Oregon
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
Surprisingly, children 12 years of age and older can ride an electric scooter in Minnesota and Michigan. In Utah, it’s 15 years, while in Mississippi, it’s 14.
License Requirements
Another consideration is driver’s license requirements; most states don’t require one. However, some states may require several licenses to ride an electric scooter. It is only in North Carolina that you need a DMV registration. You need a driver’s license in Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina, Rhode Island, and Kansas. Good news if you’re in Texas: you don’t need a permit, except if the scooter is above 750W.
Safety Equipment
Safety is never a costly price to pay! In fact, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. In most states, safety gear is mandatory for riding electric scooters. It doesn’t matter what type of scooter you are riding; you must wear safety gear.
One of the most important pieces of gear is a safety helmet; always wear one! These gears help keep you and other road users safe. In some states, like California, riders under the age of 18 must wear helmets to ride an electric scooter. Where local law requires this and you don’t adhere, you’ll pay a fine. Wearing one shows that you are responsible and also consider the welfare of others.
Also, some states, like Indiana and Vermont, require riders to wear eye protection. Other states with this requirement include the following: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Rhode Island, and South Dakota.
Speed and Power Limits
Most states have speed limits for electric scooters on public roads. So, operating within the power restrictions will be street-legal. You can see the speed, weight, and power limits of some states below.
Arkansas – 15 mph, 100 lbs
California – 15 mph
Colorado – 30 mph
Connecticut – 20 mph
Washington D.C. – 10 mph
Florida – 30 mph
Georgia – 20 mph, 100 lbs
Indiana – 20 mph, 100 lbs
Iowa – 20 mph, 100 lbs
Louisiana – 25 mph
Maryland – 20 mph
Massachusetts – 20 mph
Michigan – 25 to 30 mph
Minnesota – 15 mph
Missouri – 30 mph
Nevada – 20 mph, 100 lbs
New York – 20 mph
North Carolina – 25 mph
Ohio – 20 mph, 100 lbs
Oklahoma – 35 mph
Oregon – 15 mph
Tennessee – 100 lbs
Texas – 35 mph
Utah – 15 mph
Vermont – 15 mph
Washington – 15 mph
Wisconsin – 20 mph
If your state is not listed, check the local law for the limits. Some states don’t allow electric scooters on some roads with certain speed limits. Why should you research? So you don’t get in trouble with the authorities.
Factors Influencing Street Legality of Electric Scooters
Wondering how legality is set when it comes to electric scooters? Several factors determine their street legality. Combining all these factors helps you appreciate the laws better.
Local Laws
Is it even possible to know if electric scooters are street-legal without noting local laws? Local laws play a huge role when it comes to regulating vehicles. So, it is very important to know the law in your area. You can read our guide above to check electric scooter limits in your area.
Type of Electric Scooter
Electric scooters come in various sizes and shapes. There are two main categories – low-powered and high-powered electric scooters. The type of electric scooter you use also dictates legality. Again, we refer you to your local laws because some specify power limits. So, if your electric scooter exceeds the prescribed limits, it will be illegal to ride it in public.
Rental Services and Programs
Yes, electric scooter rentals are a thing now. So, these services and programs must comply with local laws.
Tips for Riding Electric Scooters Legally and Safely
Electric scooters are street-legal in 38 states in the United States. However, they are not street legal in ten states. Also, some states don’t have any local laws regulating electric scooters. So, are electric scooters street-legal? It all depends on where you live.
Our Final Thoughts
The U.S. electric scooter laws are not the same in all states. So, whatever you do, ensure that you stick to the regulations in your state. Carefully read through the points above to know if electric scooters are street-legal where you live. That way, you can ensure safety and compliance for you and everyone else.
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
