Electric scooters: safe and legal riding

Electric scooters are nowadays a personal mobility option that has become extremely popular. Therefore, today we would like you to take into account this brief summary of the current regulations so that you can ride safely and in compliance with current legislation:

I. Documentation and certification:

At the moment, no driver’s licence or registration is required to drive a scooter. However, a certification will be regulated in the near future to ensure compliance with the legal technical requirements.

II. Compulsory insurance:

Currently, there is no national obligation to take out insurance. However, it is necessary to take into account the by-laws of your municipality, as there are municipalities that are imposing this obligation. In any case, we strongly recommend that you take out civil liability insurance.

III. Maximum speed of the electric scooter:

25 km/h is the maximum speed allowed and modifying the scooter to exceed this speed may result in penalties being imposed and the scooter being confiscated.

IV. Driving age:

If the municipal ordinances have not regulated anything in this respect, the minimum age is 16 years old. Town councils can regulate this aspect in their municipal regulations, so there are towns where it is possible to ride at 14 or 15 years of age. In any case, children under 16 should only ride in enclosed areas, closed to traffic and supervised by an adult.

V. Use of helmets:

The use of protective helmets is compulsory and must comply with the safety requirements of current regulations.

VI. Parking, permitted access and places to drive:

The best way to park them on public roads is to use parking spaces designated for bicycles or motorbikes. The municipal ordinances of each municipality should be taken into account as they may regulate this aspect. If the scooter is parked in an unauthorised place, it can be removed and taken to the municipal depot.

As a general rule, these scooters are allowed on public transport, but it is essential to find out about municipal regulations beforehand to avoid problems.

It is completely forbidden to drive on pedestrian areas, pavements, motorways, highways, interurban roads or urban tunnels. As in previous cases, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of municipal regulations.

VII. Sanctionable conduct:

It is strictly forbidden to use headphones, mobile phones or similar devices while driving a scooter. Likewise, it is also punishable to drive without a helmet, to drive in places that are not permitted, or in breach of any of the other mandatory obligations for the legal driving of a scooter.

Al igual que los conductores de cualquier otro vehículo, los conductores de patinetes eléctricos están sujetos a los preceptivos controles de alcohol y drogas para garantizar la seguridad vial. 

Dependiendo de la gravedad de la infracción, pueden ser impuestas sanciones que van de los 200 a los 1.000 euros. 

The penalties will not result in the loss of points, since driving an electric scooter does not require a licence or driving licence.

From all of the above, we can conclude that it is necessary to comply with the regulations governing the driving of electric scooters, without forgetting the necessary consultation of the municipal ordinances of the city council, to take into account the particularities established by it, where appropriate.

If you want to know more about the regulations related to electric scooters, do not hesitate to contact us.

Article written by Mario de Diego