Last Updated on May 17, 2023 by Matt
Like with most other vehicles, there might be some age requirements for electric scooters. As expected, that varies greatly depending on the location.
Since this is one of the most common questions that people looking to buy an electric scooter frequently have, I’ve gone through all the legal resources available and put together this electric scooter age requirement guide.
Electric scooter age requirement
A lot of countries in the world have either no age requirement for riding an electric scooter, or have no specific laws regarding electric scooter usage and rider age. In the US, the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, have an age requirement of 16 years. The age requirement is 14 in Mississippi and 12 in Michigan and Minnesota. In Europe, most countries have an age requirement of 14 or 16. The UK has no age requirement for electric scooters yet.
This will be a full, comprehensive guide about the age requirements of electric scooter riders for countries throughout the world. If you are not an adult and you’re not sure whether you are legally allowed to ride your scooter in your city because of your age, look for your location in this guide.
Disclaimer note: I will make all efforts to keep this guide correct and up to date, but keep in mind that the purpose of this guide is to only provide you with a basic starting point. You are advised to research in more depth, as we can’t guarantee the accuracy and recency of the information provided. Check with your local authorities to be certain.
USA
The laws in the USA will largely depend on the state. The majority of states don’t have any age restrictions on the rider’s age, although some do, and some states require the scooter to be registered.
Alabama
Age requirement: 16+
Electric scooters are classed as motor vehicles, thus require a license and registration. So the age requirement is 16.
Alaska
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters are not yet regulated in Alaska.
Arizona
Age requirement: None
There is no special law about electric scooters in Arizona yet, which means there is no age restriction.
Arkansas
Age requirement: 16+
The legal age for riding an electric scooter in Arkansas is 16.
California
Age requirement: None
The requirements for electric scooters in California limit their top speed at 15 mph (25 kmh), and only on roads that allow top speeds of 25 mph (40 kmh). Riders under 18 must also wear a helmet.
There is no limitation on age, however.
Connecticut
Age requirement: 16+
The legal age for electric scooters in the state of Connecticut is 16.
Delaware
Age requirement: None
The state of Delaware has no age requirements. Riders younger than 16 must wear a helmet at all times.
Florida
Age requirement: 16+
The state of Florida requires a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter, which means the effective age requirement would be 16. Electric scooters without seats are deemed not street legal.
Georgia
Age requirement: None
There are currently no requirements about the age in the state of Georgia.
Illinois
Age requirement: None
The state of Illinois requires that all electric scooters must be insured. There is nothing mentioned about age limitations.
Indiana
Age requirement: None
There are several requirements about riding an electric scooter in Indiana, including not being able to ride on sidewalks. There are no age requirements.
Iowa
Age requirement: None
There are no age requirements for riding an electric scooter in the state of Iowa.
Kansas
Age requirement: 16+
The state of Kansas requires a valid driver’s license to operate an electric scooter. That means the age requirement is 16.
Kentucky
Age requirement: None
In the state of Kentucky, electric scooters have the exact same legal status as bikes, which means there is no age requirement for them.
Louisiana
Age requirement: None
The state of Louisiana requires all riders to wear helmets at all times. There is no age requirement.
Maine
Age requirement: None
There is no age requirement in Maine for electric scooters.
Maryland
Age requirement: None
There are, in fact, quite a lot of rules and laws for riding an electric scooter in the state of Maryland. However, there is no minimum age for it.
Massachusetts
Age requirement: None
While there are no age requirements for electric scooters in Massachusetts, all riders 16 or younger are required to wear a helmet while riding.
Michigan
Age requirement: 12+
Out of all the states that have an age requirement, the state of Michigan has the lowest, requiring riders to be at least 12.
Minnesota
Age requirement: 12+
While the state of Minnesota doesn’t require a license for riding an electric scooter, the rider must be at least 12 years old.
Mississippi
Age requirement: 14+
You must be at least 14 years old to ride an electric scooter in Mississippi, and riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet.
Missouri
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters are regulated in the state of Missouri, but there is no age requirement.
Montana
Age requirement: None
There are no age requirements for riding an electric scooter in the state of Montana.
Nebraska
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, but that is the only requirement made especially for them. No age requirements.
Nevada
Age requirement: 16+
One of the few states that have an age requirement, Nevada allows people aged 16 or older to ride electric scooters.
New Hampshire
Age requirement: None
There is no age requirement for riding an electric scooter in the state of New Hampshire.
New Jersey
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters can go as fast as 19 m/h on bike lanes, but that is the only requirement for them. People of any age can ride them.
New Mexico
Age requirement: None
Riders under the age of 18 must wear helmets at all times while riding an electric scooter in New Mexico. The top speed is 15 m/h.
There are no age requirements though.
New York
Age requirement: None
Ridesharing companies are banned from the city of New York. However, owning a personal electric scooter is just fine, and there is no age requirement about it.
North Carolina
Age requirement: 16+
Under the law of North Carolina, electric scooters fall under the category of vehicles. That means riders must be at least 16 before they can ride them.
North Dakota
Age requirement: None
While electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet, there is no age requirement for electric scooters in North Dakota.
Ohio
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters don’t require a license in Ohio, and there is no age requirement for them.
Oklahoma
Age requirement: None
The only age-related requirement about riding an electric scooter in Oklahoma is that riders under 18 wear a helmet at all times.
Oregon
Age requirement: 16+
Anyone under the age of 16 can’t legally ride an electric scooter in the state of Oregon.
Pennsylvania
Age requirement: N/A
Electric scooters are only allowed on private property in the state of Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
Age requirement: 16+
Since the state of Rhode Island requires a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter, it means that the age requirement would be 16.
South Carolina
Age requirement: None
The use of electric scooters in South Carolina hasn’t been regulated yet, and there are no age requirements on them. The city of Columbia has banned ridesharing scooters, but there is nothing prohibiting owning a personal scooter.
South Dakota
Age requirement: None
There is no age requirement for electric scooters in South Dakota, but riders under 18 must wear a helmet at all times.
Tennessee
Age requirement: 16+
The age requirement for electric scooters in the state of Tennessee is 16, the same as other vehicles.
Texas
Age requirement: None
The laws for electric scooters in Texas are a combination of the laws for bicycles and the laws for vehicles. There is no age requirement, however.
Utah
Age requirement: 8+
In Utah, children younger than 8 can’t ride electric scooters outside of private property. Children under 15 years must wear helmets at all times.
Vermont
Age requirement: None (probably)
Under the law of Vermont, electric scooters are treated the same as other vehicles. The age requirement, however, does not exist.
Virginia
Age requirement: None / 16+ (Arlington)
There is no law at the state level that puts an age requirement on electric scooter usage. The county of Arlington imposes an age restriction that riders must be 16 or older.
Washington
Age requirement: None
There is no age requirement for riding an electric scooter in the state of Washington. They must be ridden on roads where the speed limit is less than 35 m/h.
West Virginia
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters need to be registered in the state of West Virginia, and there are several other requirements about them, including wearing a helmet. There is no age requirement.
Wisconsin
Age requirement: None
While there are a few requirements under the law of Wisconsin for electric scooter, nothing
Wyoming
Age requirement: None
The usage of electric scooters is not yet regulated in the state of Wyoming, which in effect means there is no official age requirement.
UK
Age requirement: N/A
One of the most notorious bans on electric scooters occurred in Britain, and electric scooters have been illegal for public use in the past few years.
However, not all hope is lost, as it is very likely electric scooters will be legalized in the UK pretty soon.
Canada
Age requirement: None
Officially, on the country level, electric scooters in Canada require no license at all and thus have no age requirement. Some of their provinces, however, do have different laws.
Ontario
Age requirement: 16+
The province of Ontario has a legal requirement that electric scooter riders must be at least 16 years of age.
British Columbia
Age requirement: 16+
In the province of British Columbia, the age requirement for electric scooters is 16.
Quebec
Age requirement: 14+
In Quebec, you must be 14 or older to ride an electric scooter.
Alberta
Age requirement: 18+
The province of Alberta requires riders to be at least 18 to ride electric scooters.
Australia
Electric scooters in Australia have different laws in each state, and sometimes even some cities have special laws.
The laws are not very allowing for many electric scooter models. Still, enforcement has not been very strict so far. There are trials in progress that aim to relax the laws and allow for wider electric scooter usage. In any case, respect the law wherever you are.
Queensland
Age requirement: 16+, or 12+ with adult supervision
This is official data from the Queensland government website. A fine of AUD 133 will be charged to anyone not respecting this requirement.
New South Wales
Age requirement: 16 years and 9 months.
In New South Wales, electric scooters are classed as motorcycles and require an R driving license. That means riders must be at least 16 years and 9 months of age (the first time I’ve seen months in the age requirement).
Victoria
Age requirement: None
Victoria divides electric scooters into two categories – with power of 200 Watts or less and can go as fast as 10 kmh, and with power over 200 Watts or able to go over 10 kmh.
The lower-powered scooters do not require a license, and it seems that there is no age restriction for riding them.
The more powerful scooters are only legal on private properties.
South Australia
Age requirement: N/A
Electric scooters are allowed only on private property in South Australia. Ridesharing apps have petitioned for a trial to allow electric scooter usage.
Western Australia
Age requirement: None
The only electric scooters that are allowed on public roads in Western Australia are the ones with a power output of 200 Watts or less, and a maximum speed of 10 kmh. Other scooters can only be ridden on private grounds.
The scooters that fit that category seem to have no age requirement in Western Australia.
Tasmania
Age requirement: None
There is no age limit for electric scooters in Tasmania. However, electric scooters with motors that have power outputs of more than 200 Watts are not allowed, as is the case in most of Australia.
New Zealand
Age requirement: None
It seems that New Zealand doesn’t have an age limit for electric scooter riders. However, the bad news is that they only allow electric scooters with a maximum power output of 300 Watts.
(The source website does a very good job of explaining the difference between motor power and maximum power output of the scooter in general, which are two different things.)
Ireland
Age requirement: N/A
Apparently, electric scooter usage in Ireland is being regulated and legalized at this very moment. Until then, the status of electric scooters remains unclear.
Germany
Age requirement: 14+
German laws don’t require riders to have any licenses for riding an electric scooter, but the age requirement is 14 years.
France
Age requirement: 8+
I believe we have a winner! Out of all the countries that have regulated electric scooters and have an age requirement about their riders, France has the lowest, requiring riders to be at least 8 years old. A helmet is mandatory for riders between 8 and 15 years of age.
Italy
Age requirement: 16+
In the land of the Vespa, you are required to be at least 16 years of age to ride an electric scooter.
Spain
Age requirement:
In Spain, electric scooters are considered the same as motor vehicles, and the same age requirement applies. In effect, that is 15 for smaller powered scooters, 16 for medium ones, and 18 for the most powerful.
Austria
Age requirement: 12+
The minimum legal age for riding an electric scooter in Austria is 12, and children under 12 must be accompanied by a person aged 16 or older.
Switzerland
Age requirement: None
The rule that will determine the legal age limit for electric scooters in Switzerland depends on the power of the scooter.
If the scooter has a power output of less than 500 Watts, and it can’t go faster than 20 kmh, no license is required. Hence no age limit.
For scooters more powerful than that, the minimum age for electric scooters is 14 years, with riders between 14 and 16 years needing a special license.
Netherlands
Age requirement: None
In the Netherlands, there is no specific rules or age limit for electric scooters.
Belgium
Age requirement: 18+
The legal age since when you can ride an electric scooter in Belgium is 18.
Denmark
Age requirement: 15+
Riding an electric scooter in Denmark has several requirements, one being that the age of the rider is 15 years or more.
Norway
Age requirement: 12+
In Norway, the age requirement for electric scooters is 12. Also, the scooter must be insured, and the rider must not be intoxicated.
Sweden
Age requirement: None
Currently, the status of electric scooters in Sweden is the same as bikes, meaning there is no age requirement for them. It is very likely that this might soon change though.
Finland
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters under 1000 Watts of power output don’t need to be licensed in Finland, and hence have no age requirements. If the scooter is more powerful than that, it will require scooter insurance.
Estonia
Age requirement: 10+
Under a new law that has recently been implemented, riders between 10 and 15 years need a permit to ride any electric rideable. People older than 15 don’t need anything.
Lithuania
Age requirement: None
While the city of Palanga has altogether banned electric scooters, they remain unregulated in Lithuania. People still use them a lot in the rest of the country. There is no age requirement for them.
Latvia
Age requirement: 14+
Riding an electric scooter in Latvia requires a cyclist license and a minimal age of 14 years.
Poland
Age requirement: None
Most of the regulation of electric scooters in Poland so far is about their allowed places of use, and limits their speed to 25 kmh. There is nothing being said about age limitations.
Czechia
Age requirement: 10+
The Czech Republic has its age requirement set at a pretty low number, requiring electric scooter riders to be at least 10 years of age.
Slovakia
Age requirement: None
Slovakia considers electric scooters the same as non-motorized vehicles and allows them to go only as fast as walking speeds. There is no age requirement at the moment it seems.
Russia
Age requirement: None / 18+
In Russia, scooters with top speeds of less than 25 kmh, or power output of 250 Watts or less, require no license and can be ridden by people of all ages.
For anything more powerful than that, you will need to hold a driver’s license for motorcycles, which means you will have to be 18 years or older.
Ukraine
Age requirement: 18+
In Ukraine, electric scooters are available only to those 18 years of age or older.
Turkey
Age requirement: None / 17+
Turkey divides electric scooters into two categories: those with power outputs of 250 Watts or below, and those with power outputs greater than 250 Watts.
The first ones don’t require any license, and they can be ridden by anyone.
The second ones require a motorcycle license, which effectively puts the age limit at 17 years for most scooters.
Macedonia
Age requirement: 14+
The growing popularity of electric scooters in Macedonia has created the need for their regulation. As of December 2019, riders are required to be at least 14 years of age.
Greece
Age requirement: None
Greece is working on regulating the use of electric scooters, but it seems that they are still largely unregulated, and are appropriate for all ages.
Bulgaria
Age requirement: 14+ / 16+
Bulgaria has an interesting law regarding electric scooters, with which they allow anyone over 16 years of age to ride them. They also allow children between 14 and 16 years of age to ride them but only in bike lanes.
Serbia
Age requirement: None
In Serbia, the use of electric scooters is still unregulated. That means anyone can ride them right now. There is, however, a petition going on in Novi Sad that aims to restrict underage riding.
Albania
Age requirement: None (probably)
While official information was sparse, it seems that electric scooter usage in Albania is still unregulated. This is information from Reddit though, so take it with a grain of salt.
Croatia
Age requirement: None / 15+
The scooters with a power output of less than 250 Watts, or with a max speed of up to 25 kmh, don’t require a license in Croatia, and can be ridden by anyone.
Electric scooters more powerful than that will fall under the same laws as mopeds, and need to be licensed as such, which effectively puts the age limit at 15.
Slovenia
Age requirement: None
An effort to regulate electric scooters in Slovenia is likely still on the way. Until then, electric scooters in Slovenia are unregulated. The new laws should limit the speed to 25 kmh and only allow electric scooters on sidewalks and bike lanes. There is nothing mentioned about any age limits.
Romania
Age requirement: 14+
In Romania, you must be at least 14 years old to ride an electric scooter. Those under 16 years must wear a helmet, as required by law.
Hungary
Age requirement: 16+
You will need a car or a motorcycle license to ride an electric scooter in Hungary. That means the age requirement is 16.
Israel
Age requirement: None (probably)
Even though electric scooters are massive in Israel, data about their regulation was not easily available. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while there are some limitations and fines in place, there is still no age limit.
Saudi Arabia
Age requirement: 16+
In Saudi Arabia, electric scooters are classed together with motorcycles, which would in effect put the age requirement at 16 years.
UAE
Age requirement: N/A / None
This differs according to the specific emirate.
In Dubai, electric scooters are currently banned entirely and wait to be approved and regulated.
In Abu-Dhabi, electric scooter use is unregulated and there are no existing restrictions on the age of the rider.
India
Age requirement: None / 16+
Researching electric scooters in India is a bit more challenging, since the term “electric scooter” usually describes an electric motorcycle scooter there.
Sources suggest that lower-powered scooters, under 250 Watts of output, require no license in India. For anything more powerful than that, you would need a license for a motorcycle, which requires you to be at least 16.
Thailand
Age requirement: None (unofficial)
The only source for this is a forum about getting a visa for Thailand, with one answer suggesting that electric scooters don’t need any license in Thailand, and thus have no age requirements.
Vietnam
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters are not yet regulated in Vietnam. There is no age restriction on them currently.
Malaysia
Age requirement: None
While riding an electric scooter in Malaysia requires a permit, there is no data about the age requirement. It is possible that there are no age restrictions on them.
Singapore
Age requirement: 16+ / None
You need a license to ride an electric scooter in Singapore, and you can only obtain such a license if you are 16 or older. However, teenagers younger than 16 can still ride electric scooters, they just need to find someone over 16 to register the scooter in their name.
Indonesia
Age requirement: None
Small motorcycles rule in Indonesia, and the phrase “electric scooter” describes an electric motorcycle there. But when it comes to actual electric scooters, riders must be at least 12, and riders between the ages 12 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Philippines
Age requirement: None
Data is sparse about the home of one major electric scooter brand. It seems that electric scooter use is unregulated in the Philippines at the moment.
China
Age requirement: 16+
Surprisingly, data about the laws regarding electric kick scooters was not available for the biggest country in the world. It seems that the age limit for riding electric scooters in China is 16.
Taiwan
Age requirement: None
It seems that electric scooter usage in Taiwan is still unregulated. That means there is no age restriction on age.
Hong Kong
Age requirement: N/A
Electric scooters in Hong Kong are only allowed on private properties and roads.
South Korea
Age requirement: 16+
In South Korea, electric scooters require the same license as motorcycles and have the same age requirements, which is 16.
Japan
Age requirement: 16+
Electric scooters are legally classed as motorcycles in Japan, and they require the same license. That puts the age limit at 16.
Mexico
Age requirement: None
While it seems that there is a recent push to regulate electric scooters in Mexico, nothing is mentioned about the rider age. That would mean the status of electric scooters remains unregulated and all ages are allowed to ride electric scooters.
Brazil
Age requirement: None
Electric scooter usage is still unregulated in Brazil. While Brazil is a huge country and there may be different local laws, it seems that the general situation is like that.
Argentina
Age requirement: 16+ (in Buenos Aires, but likely in the rest of Argentina too)
The city of Buenos Aires has regulated the use of electric scooters by requiring drivers to be at least 16 years of age (along with restricting speeds to 25 kmh and prohibiting them from sidewalks).
Chile
Age requirement: 16+
In Chile, electric scooters require the same license as motorcycles. That means that the legal age requirement for them is 16 years.
Peru
Age requirement: None
Peru has banned electric scooter usage in pedestrian areas, and have imposed a 20 kmh limit on speed. Age is still not an issue though.
Ecuador
Age requirement: None
Electric scooters are not yet regulated in Ecuador. That means there are no legal requirements for riding them at all.
Egypt
Age requirement: 18+
In Egypt, electric scooters fall under the same laws as motorcycles. That means they require a driver’s license. So the age requirement for riding an electric scooter in Egypt is 18 years.
Morocco
Age requirement: 16+
The only legal requirement you need to meet to ride an electric scooter in Morocco is to be at least 16 years of age.
South Africa
Age requirement: 18+
This is the more conservative and restrictive age. Official government information was unavailable, the source of this information is from a company that wants to develop a scooter sharing app in South Africa.
One rideable rental company in Cape Town requires their riders to be at least 16 though.
Conclusion
There is a lot of changes currently going on in regard to the legal status of electric scooters worldwide. Some unfortunate cases caused a number of negative reactions that resulted in severe restrictions in some parts of the world.
However, electric scooters are getting more popular by the day, and the law must be tailored to accommodate their users. So, we can expect strict laws to get more relaxed, but also unregulated usage will become increasingly regulated.
No matter what, make sure you respect your local laws and do research them in addition to what you read here.
