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Electric scooters have gained popularity over the past few years as a form of transportation. They are cost-effective, practical, and environmentally responsible.
However, State-by-state regulations on electric scooters differ widely. Riders may not be aware of the regulations or the places where they are permitted to ride e-scooters because of the difference in laws, which can be confusing.
Hence, in this article, we have covered all the states in the U.S. and their laws regarding electric scooters.
So, without any further ado, let’s delve into the details.
Electric Scooter Laws by State: In a Nutshell
Here is a table representing all the states and details like where you can ride electric scooters and where you cannot.
| States where electric scooters are legal on streets | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. |
| States where electric scooters are not legal on streets | Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. |
| States where electric scooters are not legal on sidewalks | Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Virginia. |
In Which States are Electric Scooters legal, and Where they are not?
In 38 U.S. states, electric scooters are considered permitted for use on public streets, while they are not allowed in ten additional states.
While the majority of states allow electric scooters on the streets, others have added restrictions on where and how they can be used on public roads.
Four states, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York don’t allow electric scooters on the highways, freeways/expressways, or some limited-access roads due to most scooters not being able to reach safe enough speeds to keep up with the traffic.
Scooters are now required to ride on the right side of the road while they are street-legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, and Virginia.
States where electric scooters are legal on streets
Here is a quick overview of the state-wide laws on electric scooters on the streets.
| State | Docs Requirement | Minimum Age | Legality Note |
| Alabama | Driver’s License | 14 | – |
| Alaska | Driver’s License | – | – |
| Arkansas | Not Required | 16 | – |
| California | Driver’s License | – | Not allowed on expressways |
| Colorado | Not Required | – | Not allowed on limited-access roads |
| Florida | Not Required | 16 | – |
| Georgia | Not Required | – | – |
| Hawaii | DMV Registration | 15 | – |
| Illinois | Not Required | 16 | – |
| Indiana | Not Required | – | – |
| Kansas | Driver’s License | 16 | Must stay on the right side |
| Louisiana | Driver’s License and DMV Registration | – | – |
| Maine | Driver’s License | – | Must stay on the right side |
| Maryland | Not Required | – | – |
| Massachusetts | Driver’s License | – | Not allowed on limited-access roads and Must stay on the right side |
| Michigan | Not Required | 12 | – |
| Minnesota | Not Required | 12 | – |
| Mississippi | Not Required | – | – |
| Missouri | Not Required | 16 | – |
| Nevada | Not Required | 16 | – |
| New Hampshire | Not Required | – | – |
| New Jersey | Not Required | – | – |
| New Mexico | Not Required | – | Can be regulated on a local level |
| New York | Not Required | – | – |
| North Carolina | Driver’s License and DMV Registration | – | – |
| North Dakota | Not Required | – | – |
| Ohio | Not Required | 16 | – |
| Oklahoma | Not Required | – | – |
| Rhode Island | Not Required | – | – |
| South Dakota | Not Required | – | – |
| Tennessee | Driver’s License | – | – |
| Texas | Not Required | – | – |
| Utah | Not Required | 12 | – |
| Vermont | Not Required | – | – |
| Virginia | Not Required | 14 | Must stay on the right side |
| Washington | Not Required | 16 | – |
| West Virginia | Not Required | – | – |
States where electric scooters are not legal on streets:
There are a few states where electric scooters are not legal on the street, but they might be allowed in parks or sidewalks. Let’s check out which are these streets.
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wisconsin.
States where electric scooters are legal on sidewalks:
Some states allow riding on sidewalks legally, including Arizona, North Carolina, Iowa, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Arizona, and Virginia.
Moreover, in the states where electric scooters are legal on streets, they are not allowed to ride on sidewalks.
This is because many states find electric scooters dangerous to be ridden on the sidewalks where people walk relaxed and can be harmed if you ride carelessly.
Related read;
- How To Ride An Electric Scooter
- Do You Need A License For An Electric Scooter
- Best Electric Scooters For Kids And Teens
Wrapping Up: Electric Scooter Laws By State
The electric scooter laws differ from state to state. Hence it is necessary to know the laws in your state before buying an electric scooter.
Additionally, in some states, even though electric scooters are allowed, some legality notes are mandatory to be followed.
Lastly, remember, if electric scooters are allowed in your states, consider taking all the safety risks into account while riding with safety gear.
FAQs: Electric Scooter Laws By State
DMV certification is the certification provided by the US Department of Motor Vehicles.
Manufacturers of electric scooters suggest not using an electric scooter like a regular kick scooter to increase the life of the scooter.
In some states, there is a compulsion to have a license to ride electric scooters, but not in all states like Texas, Ohio, and many others, where you can ride e-scooters without any legal documents.
