There has been an increase in the number of people riding e-scooters on public highways, pavements and on public spaces within Medway.
It's illegal to ride e-scooters in Medway, unless on private land with the landowner's permission.
If you do ride an e-scooter in a public area, you risk:
- a £300 fine
- 6 penalty points endorsed on your driving licence
- the e-scooter being seized by the police.
If you do not hold a driving licence at the time of the offence, you may be prosecuted and may have to go to court. If this happens, the fine may increase and your ability to obtain a driving licence in the future may be affected.
About e-scooters
E-scooters are a new mode of transport, and the government are trialling schemes across the country to develop guidance around their safe use. E-scooters are classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs).
This means they are treated as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements if made legal to ride in public including:
- a driving licence
- insurance
- number plates
- lighting
- brakes
- type approval
- road tax
- crash helmets.
However, e-scooter insurance is not available.
Find out more about PLEVs on GOV.UK
Government trials
There are trials going on across the UK regarding approved rental e-scooters as environmentally-friendly transport. Outside of the trials, which Medway is not taking part in, e-scooters can only be used on private land.