The electric scooter should not exceed the speed of 15mph. Our team can offer a free review of your case. That means, no license or registration is required to ride electric scooters. Electric Scooter and Skateboard Laws in America (All States) In order to legally ride your moped in Washington, it must be registered, and you will need a valid drivers license and license plate. These vehicles may be operated on bike lanes and bike paths. The electric scooter must have proper reflectors if it is used when it is dark. In an absence of state electric kick scooter laws, South Carolina has allowed cities to create their own regulations. Riders usually follow local scooter laws as per their area. Riders cannot take their scooters on roads with limits exceeding 25 mph. The strap must be fastened securely while the electric scooter is in motion. Under this law, riders must be at least 16 years old and wear helmets while in transit. Bills have been introduced that seek to establish statewide rules applying to electric scooters and their usage. Last Updated: October 31, 2022 by Sam John. Contact a Seattle personal injury lawyer today if you have been injured on an electric scooter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); No Fees Unless We Win   In California, electric scooter laws are changing. Top 10 Washington State Electric Scooter Laws | Drive SY Where permissible, scooters can be driven up to 10 to 20mph. These cities have set forth different rules that drivers must abide by. These are vehicles with two, three, or four wheels with engines of less than 150cc in power. Unagiscooters.com has prepared a thorough 2021 guide to the latest electric scooter laws, including a guide to Washington states laws. Following and obeying rules and legislation is an indication of a responsible citizen. Accordingly, they may be operated on public streets, and drivers do not need to register them, obtain drivers licenses, or purchase insurance coverage. Over the past year, as outdoor dining took up more and more space on sidewalks, it was difficult enough to move around. Electric scooters are street-legal in Missouri and are treated in the same respect as motorized bicycles. However, several cities have set forth governance of shared scooter usage. Seattle Electric Scooters Laws: What You Need To Know - Colburn Law These vehicles must weigh fewer than 100 lbs, cannot be driven on highways, and cannot reach speeds exceeding 20 mph. The maximum speed should not exceed 25 mph. Earlier manufacturers couldnt figure out how to effectively house such large batteries within small-framed scooters. Some regulations apply to all scooters. This section was amended by 2019 c 170 3 and by 2019 c 214 19, each without reference to the other. Over the decades, Keith, Don and Jason have fought relentlessly for clients, even when other lawyers have said the case was impossible to win. I was very happy with the result of my case and happy to have found this firm! A helmet is mandatory for riders along with a valid drivers license. The speed limit should not exceed 10 mph. Still, it is important to be aware of the applicable rules before driving an electric scooter in your state. See our list of electric scooter laws categorized into 3 groups: where & how you can ride, rider regulations, and laws by U.S. state. However, the rider must be 16 years or older and allowed to ride an e-scooter only in the bike lanes. Dockless vehicles, under the ordinance, also include bicycles and electric bicycles. (Unagi sells electric scooters.) "@type": "Question", Electric Scooter Laws by States 2023 (Updated) - Top Electric Rides Here moped laws are considered as appropriate for electric scooters since there are no specific regulations about electric scooters in the state of Oregon. The speed limit for electric scooters is up to 15 mph on any roadway or bicycle lane. Furthermore, electric scooters are not permitted on sidewalks or on streets that post speed limits higher than 30 mph. Accordingly, before driving an electric scooter in Idaho, it is best to ask a local law enforcement officer about applicable regulations. At Philbrook Law Office, our Vancouver and Battle Ground personal injury lawyers hold drivers of any vehicles including electric scooters that cause accidents with pedestrians, bicycle riders, and car drivers liable for the injuries they cause. In this state, scooters cannot travel faster than 20 mph or weigh over 100 lbs. Thats why if you are riding an e-scooter in South Dakota, make sure that it has mirrors, brakes, front and rear lights with reflectors. This light must be visible within 500 feet of the e-scooter. Wisconsin has established statewide regulations governing electric scooters and their use. The states law of New Jersey has classified electric scooters as low-speed electric scooters which should not exceed the speed of 19 mph. Riders must be 16 years old to ride the kick scooter in Nevada. . WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: Do I need a - Washington Other than these cities, no such statewide legislations are addressing electric scooters. Electric scooters cannot be used on trails that are specifically designated as nonmotorized." Motorcycle instruction permit to learn how to ride on public roadways. In May 2019, electric scooters were legalized (Washington Rev. } Electric Moped Laws in California. However, operators need to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, wear helmets, and provide audible signals when attempting to pass. You must register the moped and display a valid license plate. While they have been designated as their own specific class of vehicle, the laws pertaining to electric scooters are essentially the same as those that apply to bicycles. Illinois has passed certain rules and regulations about electric scooters which have not been acted upon yet. Besides this, wearing headphones during riding is strictly forbidden. However, for now, governance is left mostly to individual cities in this state. Electric scooters cannot be used on trails that are specifically designated as nonmotorized.. The scooter should have an audible horn and bell to alert the pedestrian. Therefore, regulations have been left to local municipalities. The ultimate guide to US kick scooter laws in 2021 The areas in this subsection must be designated by the city engineer or designee of the municipality. Furthermore, operators do not need drivers licenses, as electric scooters are not legally classified as motor vehicles. The electric scooter must have a muffler to prevent excess noise. According to DC law, 50-2201.02 (13) (A) scooters are defined as "PMD" or "Personal Meanwhile, in other cities like Auburn and Tuscaloosa, scooter-sharing programs are not permitted. The company introduced its first functional e-scooter in 1996. Man suffered back injury after head-on collision. As motor scooters became more common, they gained popularity not only as a fad, but for their utility in traveling within the intercity environment. Riders who suffer from disability and use their e-scooter to increase mobility can operate their vehicle in any of the previously mentioned locations, except on roadways that exceed 35 mph. All Rights Reserved. It wasnt until technology allowed for more efficient battery storage in the early 2000s that the modern electric scooter emerged. Kept me in the loop the entire time. As long as it is controlled by throttle and weighs less than 75 lbs then it comes under the regular bicycle category. According to the state of Washington, a moped is classified as a motorized device that: Mopeds must also meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for motor-driven cycles. It is also possible that someone using a scooter on a sidewalk will crash into a pedestrian, a building, or other stationary objects. Some cities, like Columbia and Charleston, have banned electric scooter usage entirely. In general, they are treated the same as bicycles. Except for the limitations of this subsection, persons operating an EPAMD have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian. Are there any age restrictions to riding an electric bike in Washington? Furthermore, riders who are 16 years old or older must obtain either a Class M1 license or a Class M3 license. According to legislation, e-scooters/mopeds are not allowed on sidewalks, bike paths. "@type": "Answer", He explained everything to me and my family and made me feel involved in all decisions. Also, the rider should not be younger than 16 years old to operate the bike. In October 2019, electric scooters and electric bicycles were legalized in Connecticut. Generally, you cannot drive an electric scooter on any highway. The question remains whether a safe way to integrate motorized scooters into the realm of public transit exists. Suppose you are unaware of the electric scooter laws in a certain part of Oklahoma. However, riders should not be under 16 and are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. Mopeds must also meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for motor-driven cycles. Can you use them on the highways? Under Indiana law, electric scooters are referred to as electric foot scooters. To qualify as an electric foot scooter, vehicles must meet the following criteria: Electric scooters can be driven on streets and bike paths. Furthermore, drivers must remain on streets with slow speed limits. (4) Removal of any muffling device or pollution control device from a moped is unlawful. Two main reasons are cause for the growing popularity of electric scooters. You do NOT need to have your moped insured. Furthermore, personal scooters must be registered with the state, and their drivers must carry the minimum liability insurance coverage. This means you can freely operate it in public areas without any insurance and registration. Washington State Electric Bike Laws - EVELO Adding a scooter to that mix could be injurious or fatal. Woman suffering physical and emotional abuse at nursing home. Although no national data on the danger of electric scooters is available, several agencies attempted to gain some information about the incidence of scooter-related accidents. His knowledge and experience specific to semi-truck accidents made all of the difference in the outcome of my case; the settlement exceeded my expectations! Riders must not be younger than 12 years old to ride kick scooters and should wear a helmet. In order to be classified as an electric foot scooter in Minnesota, vehicles must: Therefore, electric scooters will constitute electric foot scooters in Minnesota. Coming Summer 2023 stay tuned! 2023 Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Resources | Blog | Sitemap, 2022 Wruck Paupore PC Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Residents of Georgia states can ride e-scooters on bike paths and lanes. For this, a helmet is mandatory especially if you are under 16. He is a member of the Washington State and Oregon State Bar Associations and started Philbrook Law Office in 2005. Currently, Vancouver has not enacted any specific rules or regulations for motorized foot scooters. The local jurisdiction must specify the speed limit for sidewalk usage. 16 years or older can only ride on it in Kentucky. South Dakota has legalized the usage of electric scooters on public roads. But whenever the bill will pass it would have certain rules such as: Kansas is amongst one of the US states where a valid drivers license is mandatory to operate e-scooters on streets. In general, scooters and electric bicycles in Vermont are treated the same way as vehicles and should not be operated on sidewalks. State laws refer to these vehicles the same way as motorized toys and prohibit their usage on public roadways and sidewalks. Subsection (2) of this section applies to motorized foot scooters when the bicycle path, trail, bikeway, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail was built or is maintained with federal highway transportation funds. Rules pertaining to electric scooters may vary from city to city. Some cities, such as Charleston and Columbia, have banned electric scooters outright. Before forming Wruck Paupore, Jason worked for a prominent law firm representing some of the worlds largest insurers. at the best online prices at eBay! Like other US states, electric scooters are legalized in Tennessee in July 2019. Since they are considered as motor-driven cycle therefore riders need to have a Class M licensed for it. Are Electric Scooters legal in Washington? You must wear eye protection if your moped doesn't have a windshield. Riding on sidewalks is not allowed whereas riding on streets with a speed limit of 30 mph is permissible. To qualify as an electric scooter, vehicles must weigh fewer than 100 lbs and not travel faster than 20 mph. Both reasons typically center around urban cities, which is where the market for e-scooters is greatest. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help recover payment for the harm you sustained. Electric scooters may be taken anywhere that bicycles can in Utah. Personal mobility devices are one of the fastest-growing industries. In the state of Florida, electric kick scooters are legalized but no license is required. Though collecting and reading all available and enacted laws is a bit tricky task but we have made it easy for you in the form of an ultimate guide about electric scooter laws by state. (9) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an individual shall not operate an electric-assisted bicycle or motorized foot scooter on a trail that is specifically designated as nonmotorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. Therefore moped regulations are implied over electric scooters. If it wasnt for the caring staff and my legal team I dont know what I would have done. Patient suffering nerve damage following hip operation. In 2018 legislation passed classifying three levels of electric assist (e-assist) bikes, and this year, the legislature updated state regulations regarding "motorized foot scooters," more commonly known as e-scooters, in ESHB 1772. However, it has been established that scooters may not travel at speeds higher than 20 mph. The local jurisdiction must specify the speed limit for sidewalk usage. On sidewalks or fully controlled limited access freeways. "@context": "https://schema.org/", instructions to enable JavaScript in your web browser. They follow similar laws and regulations as for motorbikes. This experience gives Jason a deep understanding of the insurance industry and the strategies it uses to pay injury victims as little as possible. The laws on helmet requirements for scooter use are also evolving. Therefore no need for a license or registration. Since North Dakota doesnt have any legislation regarding electric scooters, therefore, laws concerning moped are applicable in the state. The rider is allowed to operate kick scooters only in the street and bike lanes. Has an electric OR a liquid fuel motor of up to 50 CC. Safety should be your utmost priority while riding an electric scooter. Currently, Washington does not require the scooters be registered with the Washington Department of Transportation. The rider must wear a proper helmet especially if he is under 18. Electric scooters and skateboards are not allowed in the state of Delaware. According to state law; the maximum weight of the scooter should not be more than 100lbs excluding the weight of the rider. PMDs are defined to exclude battery-operated wheelchairs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to this law in Arkansas electric scooters should weigh less than 100 pounds and should not exceed the top speed of 20 mph. They follow the same rules as bicycles. The greatest risks to scooter users are collisions and falls. Washington does not have a standard minimum age requirement. The speed limit should not be more than 20 mph. Electric scooters are allowed to be used on roads and sidewalks (in certain conditions). Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW. However, this restriction is not always enforced. An additional council member, Abel Pacheco, supports e-scooters because many residents, like himself, dont own cars. Those who do not abide by traffic laws are subject to the same penalties that apply to violations committed while driving a Segway. Despite its weight, the scooters battery power was impressive, providing 25 miles worth of travel with each battery charge. California. When operating electric scooters in Nebraska, drivers should still abide by traffic laws and avoid riding on sidewalks. The laws governing electric scooter travel can vary depending on where you are. In Utah, electric scooters are treated as bicycles. Seattles Department of Transportation can dictate specific speed-limit zones that riders must abide by. Only those scooters are allowed to be on the streets that have a maximum speed of 25 mph. A high number of cities in Texas have introduced scooter-sharing programs. ", Who Is At-Fault in an Accident Caused by Brake Checking? They are not allowed to be used in any public area. Local regulation of the operation of class 1 or class 2 electric-assisted bicycles, upon a shared use path designated for the use of bicycles that crosses jurisdictional boundaries of two or more local jurisdictions, must be consistent for the entire shared use path in order for the local regulation to be enforceable; however, this does not apply to local regulations of a shared use path in effect as of January 1, 2018. Other regulations apply to just electric scooters. If a rear red light is not utilized, a red reflector may be used in its place. Electric scooters in Alaska as governed as motor driven cycles. Therefore, they are regulated by government agencies as other motor vehicles. For example, riders in Burlington, VT cannot travel faster than 15 mph. These vehicles may be taken on bike paths, roadways, and sidewalks. Speed Discussed. E-bike Rules and Regulations | WA - DNR - Washington State Department As the buyer, you should be aware of possible: . Electric scooter regulations have not been enacted in Nebraska yet, at the state level. Wearing a helmet is mandatory for riding electric scooters especially for riders under 18 years. I was informed every step of the way, they did all of the work, and I got my case settled. Therefore, normal traffic laws are followed by riders when operating electric scooters. The scooter should have reflectors and front and rear lights for better visibility at night. The maximum scooter weight should be 100 lbs excluding the weight of the rider. Sam John has done MBA in marketing and father of two angels. No statewide laws exist in South Dakota about electric scooters. This is valuable when comparing the environmental impact that e-scooters have versus other modes of travel. Outside of these regulations, electric scooter laws in Georgia have mostly been left to local municipalities. Those who ride electric scooters must wear helmets if they are 16 years old or younger. Reach out to our experienced personal injury attorneys for help fighting for the monetary damages you deserve. E-scooters are termed "low-speed electric scooters" and follow the same rules as bicycles. doorslay Electric Scooter Thumb Throttle, Electric Scooter - eBay Also, those who drive electric scooters in Minnesota cannot take their vehicles onto sidewalks. Washington does not have a standard minimum age requirement. Included in conversation is the question of helmet laws and what the regulations surrounding helmet use should be. Despite the increased popularity among the general population, some cities, like Seattle, have challenged their safety. License is mandatory for the riders. Women rear-ended while stopped at red light. Helmets are mandatory for all age riders. Additionally, electric scooters must have headlights to be driven at night. Riders are strictly forbidden to ride on sidewalks and highways. Drivers of electric scooters cannot weave between lanes of traffic in order to pass others. Therefore, kick scooters must be registered with DVM. Also, these vehicles have to have front, white lights that are visible from at least 500 feet away and rear reflectors that can be seen from 600 feet. State agencies or local jurisdictions may regulate the use of class 3 electric-assisted bicycles on facilities and properties under their jurisdiction and control. PDF RCW 46.37.530 - Washington Electric scooters must possess a red reflector placed in the back of the vehicle if the rider intends to use it 30 minutes before or after sunset. Read more about him. ), site search, and Google Translate it's necessary to enable JavaScript. Jordan 3 Retro Washington . The wheel should be 10 in diameter and the bike must be equipped with a maximum power of 760 watts. Accordingly, they may be driven anywhere that bicycles can, and drivers do not need to acquire insurance or registration. Users cannot operate their electric scooter on any public sidewalk, walkway or pathway, any city-owned or controlled parking lot, in any city park, or on any public street where the speed limit is greater than twenty-five miles per hour.. Statewide regulation of electric scooters has not been established in Vermont. As of February 2024, the registration fee is $10 . Amongst 50 states of the US, Pennsylvania is the only state where electric scooters are illegal. Texas has not set forth laws that specifically apply to electric scooters across the state. Mar 14, 2019 While the bill maintains a state law that prohibits electric scooters (and, a throwback to last year's session . Lastly, their drivers should wear helmets if they are younger than 18 years old. Riding sideways is strictly forbidden. Like Hawaii, the state of Idaho also lacks any legislation concerning electric kick scooters. Those who partake in scooter-sharing programs in Florida must abide by local government ordinances. In order to operate a scooter in Washington, you must be at least 16 years old unless otherwise allowed by local municipalities. Riders must be 17 years or older and should possess a license for riding an electric scooter. If a scooter does not have rear lights, it may use reflectors instead. Motorcycle instruction permit to learn how to ride on public roadways. The state of Washington determines that e-bikes must have a motor of less than 750w. } Remember, following rules is not only beneficial for the rider but also for the pedestrians and the people around. Electric scooter laws are developing across the country as these vehicles increase in popularity. The maximum speed should not be more than 20 mph. Electric Scooter Laws, Are They Legal On Sidewalks - New Age Activity In the past, Seattle had not only banned scooter-sharing services from operating in the city but also prohibited user-owned electric scooters from traveling in bike lanes and sidewalks. No matter if your state requires it or not, wearing a proper riders helmet with bright and visible front and rear headlights is the better approach to remain safe and sound. No statewide e-scooter law exists in Vermont. You must wear eye protection if your moped doesn't have a windshield. In Wyoming, regulations pertaining to electric bicycles have been established, but statewide scooter laws are mostly undeveloped. Massachusetts has legalized electric scooters and falls them under the category of mopeds. "acceptedAnswer": { However, electric scooters are permitted where local governments allow them. Code 46.20.500) As such, scooters must be registered with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and operated per all state traffic laws. Where can you legally ride Electric Scooters - Laws and Regulations Driver must wear a DOT approved motorcycle helmet. Founding Attorney Matthew Philbrook attended Clark College, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University School of Law. Also, these companies must provide local governments with access to rider data. Motorized Scooter, Bicycle, Tricycle, Skateboard, and Moped Laws The process for becoming licensed to ride electric scooters is similar to the process of acquiring a motorcycle license. In Montana, you cant ride on e-scooters on the sidewalk because it is meant for pedestrians.