The government is considering a major shake up in e-scooter laws that could see private users required to display licence plates, take a basic road safety test, and potentially hold insurance. The move is part of efforts to reduce crime, improve safety, and bring order to streets increasingly shared with unregulated scooters.
Key proposals include:
- A minimum age limit of 14 for private riders
- Compulsory rider training for road awareness
- Speed limiters on new e-scooter models (capped around 12.5mph)
The reforms are designed to regulate privately owned e-scooters, which are currently illegal for road use but widely adopted since the pandemic. While rental schemes already require a driving licence, private models often operate unchecked, making enforcement difficult for police.
According to the Mail, e-scooters have been linked to over 20,000 incidents in the past three years, ranging from thefts to serious assaults. Campaigners and road safety experts have warned that unregulated scooters pose a risk to pedestrians, especially vulnerable groups such as older people and those with visual impairments.
The consultation is expected to explore rider insurance, though concerns have been raised about cost barriers. In contrast, countries like Germany offer low cost annual policies.
Nick Freeman, a lawyer specialising in road law, argues that without registration or identification, e-scooter users remain largely anonymous and difficult to police. Others agree that introducing proper regulation is now overdue.
Instructors and road safety professionals should be aware that proposals may eventually include mandatory training and safety checks for private riders, potentially affecting the wider transport landscape.
Source via: Mail Online
