E-scooters or hoverboards provide us with an economical ride, but due to UK hoverboard law, it is restricted to have a ride on this kind of scooter. Let us guide you with what you need to know! In this article we have discussed the UK rules to ride a hoverboard.
Is E-Scooter legal in the UK?
Yes, it’s legal to own an e-scooter or hoverboard. Hoverboard Or e-scooter is not illegal in the UK; you can also easily purchase and sell them, which is legal.
But wait! it is illegal in a public place until you have a proper license.
Riding on an e-scooter on private land is legal in the United Kingdom. Still, for public use now, it is in the same slout-powered transporters, which means e-scooters fall under the same law that governs the use of other vehicles like cars and other motor vehicles, etc.
That means it is not allowed to ride these vehicles on footpaths, cycle lanes, etc. If you want to ride on public roads, you should follow the same rules as a car or motor vehicle’s driver’s. follow: license plates, rear lights, and taxes are all things that a car driver needs to drive a car.
You can ride your e-scooter without these requirements in just 30 areas of England which the UK Government allows riding on a trial basis, but the government allows it on the road in a cycle lane, and its speed limit is restricted at 15.5mph.
The UK Government also hinted that the specific models that fulfill the government standards might soon be legalized for riding on public roads of England.
Driving License is Necessary For Ride
Yes, the driver must have a UK license. It is mandatory to ride an e-scooter or hoverboard. If you have overseas licenses, you can be eligible even for a trial hoverboard as long as they have a license for small vehicles like car motorbikes.
Fine For using E-Scooter in Illegal Areas
Suppose the government allows the ride of an e-Scooter to those with a car or motorcycle license, the same punishments for the drivers of e-Scooter for breaking the law. The fine could be up to £300, and if you got up to six penalties on your driving license. It will be considered a serious offense. It could cause the cancellation of your driving license, you may be disqualified, and police can have your scooter in custody.
In The UK, is Owning a Hoverboard Legal?
Yes, for the current time, it is legal to buy, use and own an e-scooter for personal use. However, Now under UK law, vehicles like the e-scooter, hoverboard, and all other vehicles like them will be treated as “powered transporters.” After this classification, it means that it is illegal to use these vehicles on pavements, cycle lanes, and in pedestrianized areas, so that means you would only ride these scooters on your private property or in those 30 areas of England where the government allows you to ride on a trial basis. You can easily ride on an e-scooter on public roads if you successfully register, tax, and insure one like any other vehicle.
Will E-scooters be Legal All Over The UK in the Future?
In 2021 nationwide rental trials were extended until November 2022. After the Queen’s speech in May 2022, they allowed the e-scooter for riding on a trial basis, specifically in England for the time being, and considered it under the powers of transporters.
The statement of the government spokesperson in 2021 was: “While riding a privately owned e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, we are considering how best to design future regulations, and our Transport Bill will help us to take the steps we need to make e-scooters safer and support innovation.”
The fuel reserves are decreasing daily, and the fuel prices are also increasing in this situation. Electric vehicles are crucial in the transport industry and, like the government, have more knowledge and concern on making them safe and legal for transport. And we are sure that it will be legal in the near future as the government allows us to use e-scooter on trial bases to observe which kind of legislation is required to allow it all over the UK. This new legislation will likely include:
- Speed
- Weight caps
- Modification restrictions
- And specifications for where you can safely use e-scooters.
UK “England” Areas
The areas where the government allows to ride on a trial basis
- Bournemouth and Poole
- Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe, and Princes Risborough)
- Cambridge
- Cheshire West and Chester (Chester)
- Copeland (Whitehaven)
- Derby
- Essex (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Colchester)
- Gloucestershire (Cheltenham and Gloucester)
- Great Yarmouth
- Kent (Canterbury)
- Liverpool
- London (participating boroughs)
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle
- North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering, Corby, and Wellingborough)
- North Devon (Barnstaple)
- North Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe)
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Oxfordshire (Oxford)
- Redditch
- Salford
- Slough
- Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton)
- Somerset West (Taunton and Minehead)
- South Somerset (Yeovil)
- Sunderland
- Tees Valley (Hartlepool and Middlesbrough)
- West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, and Sandwell)
- West of England Combined Authority (Bristol and Bath)
The speed limit should be under 15.5mph.
The Best Place to Purchase Hoverboard
Look to purchase the best hoverboard in the UK? If yes, then considering britishhoverboard.co.uk is one of the good places. We have top-quality hoverboards that fulfill your needs well. Various designs that meet the government safety laws and models are available with a warranty of at least 1 year. We are well recognized in the industry. Want to know more about us? If yes, then visit our site and feel free to contact us without any hesitation.
The Bottom Line
Riding a hoverboard is not allowed on public roads in the UK. In this article, we have mentioned where the government permits people to ride it. Please read our other latest blogs to increase your knowledge about e-scooter and hoverboards. Hopefully, this guide gives you the answer to your search query!
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