A message from the Metropolitan Police about e-scooters

Posted: October 1, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We are writing to you in relation to the current police approach and enforcement regarding the unlawful use of E-Scooters. Officers are focussing on the unlawful use of all types of E-Scooters in a bid to improve user and pedestrian safety and road casualty reduction.

As you may know, it is currently illegal to ride any type of personally owned E-Scooter in any public place. We understand that buying a E-Scooter can be tempting, especially as they are so widely available now and are legal to buy/sell. However, the only place an E-Scooter can be used legally by anyone is on private land with the land owners permission. The reason for this is that E-Scooters are, for the purpose of current legislation treated as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act and are subject to the same legal requirements, including:

  • The driver must have a full driving licence
  • The driver must have an insurance policy
  • The vehicle must have been taxed
  • The vehicle must have an MOT certificate

It is not currently possible to get the above for privately owned e-scooters, making them illegal to use in public spaces.

You may have seen various pilot schemes being run across the country for the rental of E-Scooters and there are currently several which have started in parts of London. These pilots schemes are subject to exemptions as they are part of a Government trial and do not extend to the use personal scooters, even in the designated areas of the trials.

If your child is found using an E-Scooter on a road, pavement or any other public place such as parks, car parks etc, they face having their scooter seized by police and could be subject to prosecution under the Road Traffic Act for offences such as, but not limited to:

  • Driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence (6 to 8 Penalty points and up to £100 fine)
  • Driving without Insurance (3 to 6 Penalty points and up to £300 fine ).
  • Driving / Riding other than on a road (Fixed penalty notice and up to £50 fine)
  • Contravening a cycle lane (Fixed penalty notice and up to £50 fine)

There may also be circumstances where offences are committed by parents, such as Permitting to drive without valid insurance or permitting to drive other than in accordance with a driving licence which could result in the parent being fined and given points on their own driving licence. The offences relate to any age of rider and it is irrelevant whether they are at an age where they can apply for a provisional licence or younger.

We are seeking your support in our approach to this initiative which is primarily aimed at safeguarding children as well as other members of the public/road users by reducing the unlawful use of these E-Scooters.

To find out more, visit www.met.police.uk/e-scooters