Wiktor Wise
Electric skateboards are a fun and eco-friendly mode of personal transportation. However, their use is governed by different rules in different countries. In the UK, the law considers electric skateboards to be carriages, and they are therefore not allowed on public roads, cycle lanes, or pavements. However, the government is considering changing the law to encourage new modes of transport, and there are currently trials taking place in 31 areas where renting electric skateboards on public roads and bike lanes is legal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality in the UK | Illegal to use on pavements, cycle lanes, and public roads. |
| Legality in the UK (continued) | Legal to rent and ride on roads, bike lanes, and tracks. |
| Legality in the UK (continued) | Illegal to use on highways. |
| Legality in the UK (continued) | Legal to use on privately-owned land with the landowner's permission. |
| Registration | Cannot be registered for road use. |
| Design and Safety Requirements | Electric skateboards do not meet the UK's minimum set of design and safety requirements for motor vehicle registration. |
| Traffic Laws | Considered motorized vehicles or Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) and are subject to road traffic laws. |
| Traffic Laws (continued) | Lack of rear lights or license plates makes them non-compliant with traffic laws. |
| Traffic Laws (continued) | Users need a valid driver's license (full or provisional) to ride on roads, bike lanes, and tracks. |
| Traffic Laws (continued) | Helmets are recommended but not mandatory. |
| Traffic Laws (continued) | Users should avoid using their phones, refrain from hanging bags on handlebars, and not ride under the influence. |
| Fines and Penalties | Riding an electric skateboard on a highway can result in a £300 fine and 6 points on your driving license. |
| Fines and Penalties (continued) | If taken to court, it may result in unlimited fines and disqualification from driving. |
| Fines and Penalties (continued) | The police may also seize the electric skateboard. |
| Legal Status in Europe | Each European country independently governs the use of electric skateboards, resulting in varying rules and permissions. |
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What You'll Learn
Electric skateboards are considered motor vehicles
While it is possible to purchase an electric skateboard in the UK, there is currently no way to register one for road use. This means that riding an electric skateboard on a UK road is considered driving an uninsured motor vehicle, which can result in a £300 fine and 6 points on your driving license. If the case goes to court, you could face unlimited fines and disqualification from driving. Your electric skateboard may also be seized by the police.
Despite this, electric skateboards can be ridden legally in certain circumstances. The UK government is currently conducting trials in 31 areas where renting electric skateboards on public roads (excluding highways) and bike lanes is legal. During these trials, electric skateboard users must have a valid driver's license and adhere to other laws such as taxation, insurance, MOT, and wearing a helmet.
The UK government is also expected to invest £250 million in cycle lanes to encourage commuters to ride to work. This, along with the ongoing trials, could pave the way for the legalization of electric skateboards in the UK. While the future of electric skateboards in the UK looks promising, it is important to note that currently, they are considered motor vehicles and are subject to the same laws and requirements.
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They are illegal to ride on public roads
Electric skateboards are currently illegal to ride on public roads in the UK. This is because they are classed as "carriages" under the Highway Act 1835, which means they are considered motor vehicles under road traffic laws. As such, they need to adhere to the same rules as any other motorised vehicles, including requirements for registration, taxation, insurance, MOT, and a driver's license. However, electric skateboards do not currently meet the minimum set of design and safety requirements for registration as a motor vehicle in the UK, and they typically lack features such as rear lights or license plates.
While purchasing electric skateboards in the UK is legal, and there are places where you can rent and ride them on roads, it is not legal to ride a privately-owned electric skateboard on public roads. This means that if you are caught riding an electric skateboard on a highway, you are technically driving an uninsured motor vehicle and could face penalties, including a £300 fine and 6 points on your driving license. If the case goes to court, you may face unlimited fines and disqualification from driving, and your electric skateboard may be seized by the police.
Despite the illegality, some people still choose to ride electric skateboards on public roads. Some sources suggest that this is because the law has not kept up with the technological revolution, and there is an increasing demand for alternative methods of transportation. The UK government is aware of this issue and has conducted trials in certain areas to explore the legalisation of electric skateboards and other personal electric vehicles. These trials often involve the legal use of rented electric skateboards on public roads, with insurance arranged by the hiring companies.
It is important to note that the laws regarding electric skateboards in the UK are complex and evolving. While some sources state that electric skateboards are illegal to ride on public roads, others suggest that it is a grey area with no specific law against it. As such, it is recommended to consult official sources and relevant authorities for the most current updates and regulations regarding electric skateboard use in the UK.
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They can be ridden on private land
Electric skateboards are currently illegal to use on UK roads, cycle lanes, and pavements. This is because they are classed as "carriages" and considered motorized vehicles, and they do not meet the minimum set of design and safety requirements for registration.
However, this only applies to public spaces. Electric skateboards can be ridden on private land with the landowner's permission. This is because, while purchasing electric skateboards is legal in the UK, there is no way to register them for road use.
The UK government is aware that a change in the law is needed to keep up with the technological revolution. In July 2018, the Department of Transport began its 'Future of Mobility' consultation to examine possible changes to the law to encourage new modes of transport. In November 2018, an electric scooter rental company was given permission to trial its rental scheme in London's Olympic Park. The government is also investing in UK cycle lanes to encourage commuters to ride to work and is fast-tracking trials of the use of e-scooters on British roads.
While the law has not yet changed, there are ways to safely and responsibly ride an electric skateboard on private land. It is recommended to follow the same safety guidelines as for public spaces, such as wearing a helmet, being respectful to other path users, and following all current road rules. This will increase the chances of electric skateboards being legalized in the future.
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They are available to rent in some areas
Electric skateboards are available to rent in some areas of the UK. In 2018, a US electric scooter rental company was the first to be given permission to trial its rental scheme in London's Olympic Park. This was followed by the UK government conducting trials in 31 areas where renting skateboards on public roads (excluding highways) and bike lanes is legal. The trial was originally set to end on 30 November 2021 but was extended due to the pandemic and again until 30 November 2022. Local authorities can choose to end or extend the trial until 31 May 2024.
The UK Department for Transport told Parliament in December 2023 that the legalization of all electric skateboards is still possible, but they have yet to secure a place for the proposed legalization. The government is expected to invest £250 million in UK cycle lanes to encourage commuters to ride to work, and there are plans to fast-track trials of the use of e-scooters on British roads.
While the laws concerning electric skateboards are not yet explicit, they are considered either motorized two-wheel vehicles or Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs). They are currently classed as "carriages" and are therefore not allowed on UK pavements, cycle lanes, or public roads. However, the Highway Act that governs this classification was written over 150 years ago, and the modern era has brought new modes of transportation that require updated legislation.
In the meantime, if you wish to ride an electric skateboard, you can do so on private land with the landowner's permission.
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The UK government is considering legalising them
Electric skateboards are currently illegal to use on UK roads, cycle lanes, and pavements. This is because they are classed as "carriages" or motor vehicles under the Highway Act 1835 and do not meet the minimum set of design and safety requirements to be registered as such.
However, there is growing recognition that the law has not kept pace with the technological revolution and the UK government is considering legalising electric skateboards. In July 2018, the Department of Transport began its 'Future of Mobility' consultation to examine possible changes to the law to encourage new modes of transport. This may pave the way for the legalisation of electric skateboards in the UK, as it did for electric scooters.
The government is also expected to invest £250 million in UK cycle lanes to encourage commuters to ride to work, as part of the effort to prevent a resurgence of coronavirus. This indicates a willingness to promote alternative modes of transport and could further support the case for legalising electric skateboards.
While the law has not yet changed, there are ways to advocate for responsible electric skateboarding in the UK. Eskaters can practice safe riding by wearing helmets, giving way to cars and pedestrians, being respectful to other road and path users, and following all current road rules. This will help to demonstrate that the electric skateboarding community is responsible and increase the chances of legalisation in the future.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while riding a privately owned electric skateboard on public roads is illegal, there are some places where you can legally rent them and ride them on the roads, bike lanes, and tracks. This indicates a level of ambiguity and a potential grey area in the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric skateboards are not legal to ride on public roads or pavements in the UK. They are considered motor vehicles, and as they do not meet the minimum set of design and safety requirements, they cannot be registered for road use.
Electric skateboards can be ridden on private land with the landowner's permission.
Yes, the UK government is considering changes to the law to encourage new modes of transport. In 2018, a US electric scooter rental firm was given permission to trial its rental scheme in London's Olympic Park. The government is also investing in UK cycle lanes to encourage commuters to ride to work.
If caught riding on a highway, you could face a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 points on your driving license. If the case goes to court, you may have to pay unlimited fines and could be disqualified from driving. The police may also seize your electric skateboard.
Yes, you need a valid driver's license (full or provisional) to ride an electric skateboard in the UK.
