Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the legal age for riding (1) an electric scooter, or (2) an electric bike, on the road; and what road and safety awareness training is required in order to do so.

In the UK, e-scooters are classed in law as a type of motor vehicle, therefore, all users of e-scooters in approved rental trial areas are required to hold a driving licence, a provisional as a minimum. Users are not required to complete a mandatory training course, but the Department recommends e-scooter providers offer training courses to users.

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs), otherwise known as e-cycles, cannot be ridden by anyone under the age of 14 and road and safety awareness training is not required to ride them. The Highway Code provides advice on how to safely ride a cycle, including an e-cycle.

If an e-cycle does not meet the EAPC requirements set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 (as amended) it will be classed as a motor vehicle in GB law and will be subject to approval, registration, insurance, vehicle excise duty and road worthiness testing. The user will need to have the appropriate driving licence and wear an approved helmet.