There are a variety of different rules when it comes to owning and renting an electric scooter. So, it is not surprising if you have questioned whether do you need a license for an electric scooter. If you want to know the rules about the license for an electric scooter, you are in luck.
However, this does not apply to different types of electric scooters like mopeds which need more registration.
A lot of people worry if you need insurance when you are riding an electric scooter as well. Luckily, within the US, there are no transportation agencies at a local or at a federal level that require an electric scooter rider to carry any insurance when they are riding. All they need is valid driver’s license if you are in a state that needs this.
There are some caveats to this insurance rules however, since if you are in the state of Illinois or the state of Texas, but this is only if your electric scooter’s motor exceeds 750 watts of power.
However, this is not that common and quite niche. So, you are unlikely to need to worry about it.
It is worth noting that the states which require a driver’s license usually only do this for specific reasons, and this is not a common trend.
While electric scooters are a lot more simple when compared to other forms of transportation which require a lot more rules to be able to use, there are still some important things to keep in mind when you are using an electric scooter.
Because of this, throughout this guide on do you need a license for an electric scooter we will give you further insight into how you can improve your experience when riding an electric scooter.
So, if you think you need more guidance with your electric scooter, keep reading!
Rental Vs Privately Owned
While there are a considerable amount of people who own their own electric scooter, the most common way people ride electric scooters is by using a public rental service.
Some of the most common services used for this in the US include; Bird, Spin, and Lime.
These are rentals which need to be authorized by authorities within the city they take place in.
Because of this, they are highly regulated.
If you want to buy your own instead of relying on living near a city which has rentals, make sure to check what you need before buying one!
Safety Standards
Aside from knowing whether do you need a license for an electric scooter, there is other information you need to know. Like any mode of transportation, there are specific safety requirements that need to be upheld when you are riding something like an electric scooter.
There is the HR 727 amendment which is of the Consumer Product Safety Act which is on low speed bicycles or 2 to 3 wheeled vehicles which have fully operable pedals or an electric motor under 750 watts.
They also need to have a maximum speed on a paved level surface of less than 20 miles an hour, and this makes them legal.
This is the bracket which electric scooters are often considered under, even if they do not technically abide with all the qualifications.
This essentially means that your electric scooter (see also: How Does An Electric Scooter Work) will be allowed on roads whether they have or do not have bicycle lanes, but only if they are under 25 miles an hour.
However, if you are riding you need to stay close to the curb and follow the appropriate traffic rules for driving.
You will need to keep an eye out for traffic signals as well as yield to pedestrians.
However, some states have different local laws, so make sure to keep these in mind!
Where Are They Street Legal?
There are 38 states in the US where electric scooters are legal, however there are 10 states which have explicitly stated that they are not street legal.
So, while they are street legal in most states, it is worth keeping in mind that there are different rules for how electric scooters need to be operated in different states.
For example, in Colorado, California, New York, and Massachusetts, you are not allowed to ride these electric scooters on expressways, highways, or limited access roads due to them not being able to keep up with traffic.
The specific states that have states that electric scooters are not street legal (see also: Are Electric Scooters Street Legal?)include; Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, as well as Wisconsin.
Can You Ride Electric Scooters On Sidewalks?
It is worth pointing out that there are only 5 states in the US where you can legally ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk.
These 5 states are Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
In most states you will find that electric scooters are explicitly told that they cannot be on sidewalks, there are 19 other states that do not specify any rules about sidewalks.
However, most states consider most forms of transportation like this too dangerous to be on sidewalks with pedestrians.
Speed Limits
It has been mentioned a couple of times throughout the article, but the maximum speed is commonly discussed rules when it comes to an electric scooter and it is what a lot of the rules surrounding them rely upon.
You can usually not ride your electric scooter faster than 20 miles an hour, however, you can find some spots where the top speed can be somewhere between 10 and 15 miles per hour.
Summary
Hopefully this guide on do you need a license for an electric scooter has given you relevant information on what you need to know before riding an electric scooter and if you will need any qualifications.
The best thing you can do is find forums and message boards for enthusiasts within your state or local jurisdiction so you can better understand and ask specific questions about what preparation you might need to do before you are able to ride your electric scooter (see also: How To Ride An Electric Scooter)in specific spots!
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.
