E-scooters

This guidance is for England, Scotland and Wales

The UK Government recognises that e-scooters may be a popular alternative to public transport in large cities and towns. E-scooters fall within the definition of 'power transporters' or 'personal light electric vehicles' (PLEVs). As such, they are not currently legal for use on roads or other public highways.

There are European safety standards, adopted by the UK, that apply to these products.

When assessing the safety of these products, a number of matters are taken into consideration and anyone in the supply chain, including retailers, can be held liable for the supply of unsafe products.

Legal framework for the use of e-scooters

There is no specially-designed legal regime for the use of e-scooters. This means that they are covered by the same laws that apply to all motor vehicles.

The definition of 'motor vehicle', as set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988, is "any mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads". However, there are specific restrictions as to where e-scooters can be used. It is an offence to use privately owned e-scooters on the pavement, public footpaths, bridleways or restricted by-ways. Privately owned e-scooters are also prohibited from using cycle tracks, cycle lanes on roads, or other spaces dedicated to pedal cycle use only, from which electrically assisted pedal cycles and mobility scooters have an exemption.

Product safety

The law requires that any product sold to consumers must be safe. Products must not present any unnecessary risk to anyone when used in a normal or reasonably foreseeable way. When assessing the safety of a product, the following must be taken into account:

• packaging, labelling and instructions
• effect of the product on other products with which it might be used
• special needs of particular types of people, such as elderly people or those with disabilities

Where there are national, European or international standards relating to the product, these standards will also need to be taken into account. Not all PLEVs are approved for use in the same way.

Safety requirements

The Standard BS EN 17128: Light motorized vehicles for the transportation of persons and goods and related facilities and not subject to type-approval for on-road use. Personal light electric vehicles (PLEV). Requirements and test methods is intended to ensure that e-scooters meet the safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, which have been amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Manufacturers, their representatives and importers have to ensure that when their e-scooters, components or separate technical components are placed on the market or are entering into service, they are manufactured and approved in accordance with the requirements set out in the Regulations. Should e-scooters become legal for road use, it is likely to only apply to certain e-scooters that have been manufactured to specific technical standards. Other e-scooters may remain illegal for road use, perhaps because they are designed for use by children or young people under the age of 16.

Manufacturers must draw up technical documentation that clearly identifies the intended use of the e-scooter and take responsibility for the type approval and conformity necessary for that vehicle. If anyone in the supply chain modifies an e-scooter, they become a manufacturer of a modified vehicle; they take on the manufacturer's responsibility and need to ensure that the e-scooter meets the approval and conformity necessary for any new intended use.

E-scooters must be supplied to consumers with the appropriate instructions concerning their legal and safe use. This will include the type of personal protective equipment that may be appropriate, appropriate age markings, the maximum carriage weight and any instructions for assembly and/or use of any folding mechanism. The instructions also need to include any warnings against the dangers of misuse.

Electrical compliance

The battery and charger for the product must be compatible to meet safety requirements. The battery must meet the appropriate standards for batteries and the charger must be both compatible with the battery and meet the Standard BS EN 60335-2-29: Household and similar electrical appliances. Safety. Particular requirements for battery chargers.

Labelling requirements, instructions and warnings

E-scooters that are to be supplied to the GB market are required to be CE / UKCA-marked (see below), as is the battery charger. The e-scooter must have appropriate warnings in accordance with the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Labelling must include the:

• business name and full address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, the manufacturer's authorised representative
• designation of the machinery
• designation of series or type
• serial number
• the year of construction - that is, the year in which the manufacturing process is completed

If battery chargers are to be supplied separately, they must have sufficient information on them to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, including:

• the manufacturer's and importer's name or trade name and their address
• an indication of the input and output ratings
• the type of insulation used
• a batch code
• any other instructions and warnings as appropriate

Technical documentation

The Regulations also place an obligation for manufacturers and importers that place e-scooters on the market to:

• ensure that the technical documentation is compiled and made available in accordance with the requirements
• provide information as necessary to operate it safely, such as instructions for use, repair and maintenance
• follow appropriate conformity assessment procedures as prescribed by the Regulations
• ensure that there is a CE / UKCA declaration of conformity undertaken by the manufacturer in accordance with regulation 7 of, and Part 2 of Schedule 2 to, the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (see link in 'Key legislation' below)

CE / UKCA marking

There is a legal requirement for certain products to have the UKCA / CE mark.

The responsible person must follow a conformity assessment procedure (either examination by UK-approved bodies or self-declaration) for PLEVs that are to be used on-road and:

• are not (or are only partly) manufactured in accordance with the published designated standards* that relate to them
  or
• where the designated standards in accordance with which the machinery is manufactured do not cover all the applicable essential health and safety requirements

[*'Designated standards' are those approved by the Secretary of State and published by the British Standards Institution (BSI).]

If self-declaring, a full quality assurance procedure as prescribed in Part 10 of Schedule 2 to the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 must be carried out (a link to the Regulations can be found in 'Key legislation' below).

Retailers' responsibilities

Retailers may not have the same degree of technical knowledge and expertise as a manufacturer or importer; however, they may be able to carry out certain checks on the safety of e-scooters.

Retailers need to ensure that the e-scooter has undertaken any relevant conformity certification and has a 'declaration of conformity' certificate. They also need to ensure that each e-scooter is marked visibly, legibly and indelibly with the following particulars:

• business name and full address of the manufacturer, and where applicable, the manufacturer's authorised representative in the UK
• designation of the machinery, series and type
• serial number
• CE / UKCA mark
• year of construction
• any information that is essential for safe use as per the manufacturer's responsibilities, as listed above

Ensure that each vehicle is supplied with adequate written instructions. Reliance on verbal instructions only would make it very difficult to prove what you have said and may not reach the end user (if the e-scooter is a gift, for example). Instructions for maintenance are particularly important to pass on in written form, as they will be relied on for safe use for the entire expected life of the product. If there are parts of the instructions that have a particular relevance to safety, you may wish to highlight them.

Examine each vehicle before you supply it and carry out basic checks - for example:

• all fixings, nuts and bolts are correctly and securely fastened
• frame is not damaged
• condition and inflation of tyres
• brakes are working effectively
• no sharp edges and entrapment hazards
• steering is aligned

Ensure that you can supply full instructions for use.

You may wish to offer advice on the appropriate safety equipment that needs to be used with the e-scooter - for example, a cycle helmet and suitable clothing - and to offer to supply this equipment. Ideally, any such advice would also be included in the written instructions.

Product quality

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the goods you sell must be of satisfactory quality, fit for their purpose and match the description given. A consumer may be expected to have to carry out some maintenance and replace some parts over time, but e-scooters must be sufficiently robust to last for a reasonable service life.

If an e-scooter fails prematurely, the consumer may be entitled to claim their losses from the retailer. This could include a repair, replacement, full or partial refund and/or compensation.

If the manufacturer offers a guarantee, remember that this does not take away a consumer's rights. Your consumer may still have a claim against you even after the manufacturer's guarantee has expired.

See 'Selling and supplying goods' for more information.

Legal and illegal use of e-scooters: information for your consumers

Consumers may not be fully aware of the legal restrictions that apply to the use of e-scooters. Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs), retailers are obliged to disclose information that might affect a consumer's decision to buy, even if the consumer does not ask for it. Therefore, you need to make it clear to prospective customers that the e-scooter that they buy may have restrictions on its use or capability, and to advise them to only purchase one that meets their requirements.

They may well be disappointed if they buy an e-scooter expecting to be able to ride it in a local park or common, only to find out later that they cannot do so.

For more information on the CPRs, please see 'Protection from unfair trading'.

Trading Standards

For more information on the work of Trading Standards services - and the possible consequences of not abiding by the law - please see 'Trading Standards: powers, enforcement and penalties'.

In this update

No major changes.

Last reviewed / updated: May 2024