Electric Scooters are known as e-scooters. They are classified as motor vehicles, because they are intended for use on the roads, and therefore the rules of the public highway apply to all of them. For example, if found to be under the influence of alcohol while operating an e-scooter you can be prosecuted as you would if you were driving a car. It is also strongly recommended that riders wear a helmet while using an e-scooter.

The law differs for privately owned e-scooters compared to those that can be hired in a trial area.

Privately owned e-scooters

Privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements.

The rules for privately owned e-scooters are as follows:

If you ride a privately owned e-scooter in public you face:

Trial area e-scooters

Currently there are trials running in Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme where e-scooters can be hired through operators Ginger (Stafford) and Zwings (Newcastle-under-Lyme). Only e-scooters hired from these companies are legal on roads and cycle ways and their use is restricted to those pilot areas.

The rules for e-scooters in trial areas are as follows:

E-scooters should be treated as motor vehicles and if you don't stick to the rules you can receive a fine and points on your licence.