Are electric scooters road legal?
Although we specialize in a great choice of petrol scooters and motorbikes, we're proud to also sell electric scooters. Not only are they cheap to run, costing only a few pence to charge, they're better for the environment too. They're very similar in price to a 50cc petrol scooter, and make a great choice for new riders, as electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. You're probably wondering whether our electric scooters are legal road vehicles.
The Go electric scooter
Our Go electric scooter is a road legal vehicle, and falls under the same classification as a 50cc petrol scooter. This means you have to be 16 to legally ride it on the road, and have a CBT certificate. You also need to have valid insurance and display a tax disc, although electric vehicles are exempt from road tax.
The CBT test for an electric scooter is the same as for a petrol scooter, as all of the same road rules apply. The only difference is the type of engine powering your vehicle. Electric scooters and petrol scooters still function in the same basic way, in that they have a throttle to increase speed. The Go scooter has a maximum speed of 30mph, and so you still need to wear safety equipment.
Also, if you're riding it with a CBT rather than a full licence you still need to display L-plates on your scooter. You're also not allowed to carry pillion passengers, or go on the motorway. Once your CBT expires after two years, you can either pass another one or get your full licence. You'll need a full motorbike licence to ride more powerful bikes regardless of whether they're petrol or electric.
The M488 folding electric scooter
Our M488 folding electric scooter is classed as a personal electric vehicle, and so isn't currently road legal. This is mainly due to its low maximum speed of 15mph. This would be very dangerous for you to use on a public road around normal vehicles, and so the rule is in place for your safety.
Because it's not a road legal vehicle, you don't need tax, insurance, or any kind of licence to ride it. You can start riding the M488 at the age of 14, but it can only be done on private land. Even though it can't be used in public spaces, it makes a great toy if you've got somewhere to ride it. The law governing personal electric vehicles doesn't look like it's going to be updated any time soon, so you'll just have to play with the M488 on your own property.
Riding an electric scooter on a public road is just as easy as riding a petrol scooter, if not easier. There's less upkeep and expenses associated with an electric vehicle, and many insurance companies offer cheaper insurance on eco vehicles. Also, it's completely exempt from road tax, which will save you even more money.
