UK Electric Scooter Laws – West Yorks Police

West Yorkshire Police are taking a stand to promote responsible e-scooter usage in their area. They kicked off a week-long campaign from January 30th 2023 to February 5th 2023 to educate the public on our UK electric scooter laws. They want to make sure everyone knows the ins and outs of using e-scooters legally.

What will happen during the week?

During the week, officers from the Roads Policing Unit and local police teams will be keeping an eye out for any warnings or enforcement actions taken related to e-scooters. This information will be used to identify areas that may need more attention when it comes to educating the public on UK electric scooter laws.

Just a heads up, e-scooters are considered Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) and are treated just like any other motor vehicle.

This means they need to have a valid MOT, be licensed, have insurance, and pay taxes just like your car would. But, here’s the catch – e-scooters don’t have number plates and (most) lack any signalling ability and visible rear lights. At the moment they can’t legally be used on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes. The only place where it’s cool to use an e-scooter is on private land with the landowner’s permission.

The laws surrounding e-scooters currently exist to protect both the riders and other road users, so it’s important to know and follow them so you don’t get yourself into trouble.

The West Yorkshire Police campaign is all about making sure everyone’s informed and using e-scooters safely. This week-long campaign is just the beginning. By spreading the word and taking enforcement action when necessary, they hope to create a culture of responsible e-scooter usage. They want to ensure everyone knows their legal obligations when using these vehicles.

But what are your thoughts on electric scooters for adults? Do you think they should be made legal or do you think the private land only is still the best way forward? Let us know in the comments below.