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Knowing Electric scooter laws in Florida will help you know how your vehicle is classified. Plus, which laws apply to you as per your age, safety measures and electric scooter type is crucial since mopeds, electric scooters, and motorized bicycles are treated differently by Florida law than motorcycles.
In Florida, mopeds and some motor scooters are legal for the streets, but they must be documented and, in certain situations, identified.
In this article, I have covered everything you need to know about the electric scooter rules and regulations in the state of Florida.
Let’s get into the details and keep you and your electric scooter out of trouble!
Can You Really Ride an Electric Scooter Legally In Florida?
The first time when electric scooters became famous in Florida was when e-scooter rental companies like Bird and Lime brought electric scooters as a mode of daily transport.
After the rise in the popularity of electric scooters, roads were clogged with electric scooters right from the West Coast to the full country. However, electric scooters were illegal then, and a few people thought of them as kids’ toys and bothersome.
Riders should also avoid sidewalks where scooters are prohibited and use bike lanes whenever available. Staying aware of the environment and ensuring that your scooter is in good working condition are other key elements to keeping safe.
Along with these safety measures, education is a vital part of ensuring responsible riding. For those looking to improve their knowledge and skills, getting involved in community programs can be a great resource. Individuals who graduated from MissionGraduate can develop valuable life skills and further their education, which helps in making well-informed decisions in all areas, including safe scooter riding.
It’s also important to note that the state encourages all riders to familiarize themselves with the specific scooter laws in their local area, as regulations can vary from city to city. This proactive approach not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes a safer riding experience for everyone.
Nonetheless, like other vehicles, a few laws surround the legal riding of an electric scooter, which we will discover in the section below.
Electric Scooter Laws In Florida
The legalization of electric scooters in Florida happened in 2019. The laws that were applied to ride an electric scooter legally are as follows:
- The rider should be at least 16 years or older.
- The rider of an electric scooter doesn’t need a license to ride.
- The riders must follow the same rules and regulations as cyclists in Florida.
- Only one rider can ride an electric scooter at once.
- There is no insurance compulsion for electric scooters in Florida.
Moreover, Florida allowed their cities to make their own regulation regarding the use of electric scooters outdoors.
For example, Orlando allows electric scooters on sidewalks, and Dade County in Miami has a pilot program with a few electric scooter companies to use electric scooters throughout the county.
Electric Moped and Motorized Bicycle Laws In Florida (Same class as E-scooters)
In addition to electric scooters, multiple similar vehicle laws differ according to the Florida Law. The below section features the vehicle class and the laws surrounding them.
1. Mopeds
- To be able to ride a moped in Florida, the rider should at least be 16 years old, along with a Class E or motorcycle driver’s license.
- The moped should have plates and be registered with FLHSSMV (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles).
- No Helmet is required to ride mopeds.
- Mopeds are street-legal but cannot be driven on highways.
2. Motorized Bicycle
- Although legal in Florida, motorized bicycles cannot be ridden on the streets and sidewalks unless they fit the same criteria as mopeds.
- No driver’s license is required to ride them in Florida.
- The rider should be 16 years old to be able to ride a motorized bicycle.
Safety Measures Regulations While Riding An Electric Scooter In Florida
While riding any type of vehicle, injuries and accidents are inevitable; they cannot be avoided. However, you can take the necessary safety measures in order to save yourself from getting harmed.
For example, some riders take electric scooters lightly and neglect to wear safety gear like knee pads, helmets, and elbow pads while riding. Especially in the rainy season, wearing your safety gear is mandatory for a safe ride through wet surfaces.
Additionally, your safety and pedestrians’ safety is essential to be kept in mind. Hence, riders should maintain their speed and keep it below a moderate level to avoid getting into any accident.
Must follow traffic rules in Florida!
According to the ‘State Uniform Traffic Control’ rules and regulations, an Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device is a type of personal transportation gadget. It has two wheels, and it’s designed for one person.
The device is powered by an electric motor that has an average power of 750 watts, which is equivalent to 1 horsepower. When someone weighing 170 pounds rides it on a flat paved surface, the maximum speed should be less than 20 miles per hour.
It’s important to note that these devices are not considered regular vehicles. They are meant for personal mobility and are typically self-balancing.
The Dos and Don’ts While riding an electric scooter in Florida
The Dos –
- Use roadways with a 30 mph speed limit or bicycle lanes for your electric scooter. Riding is not allowed on private property, beach paths, or sidewalks.
- Keep to the direction you have chosen and pay attention to your surroundings.
- Florida Statute 316.1995 states that you will receive a citation if you are seen operating an electric scooter on a sidewalk.
- Give a path for people to walk freely, particularly when cycling through crowded cities.
- Park the e-scooter so that it won’t block bike lanes, trails, or sidewalks.
- Put on a helmet.
The Don’t-
- Scooters can only have one rider at a time; never ride twice, especially while carrying youngsters.
- Never drive when intoxicated or irresponsibly.
Do I need insurance on my scooter in Florida?
No insurance is needed for most motorscooters sold and used in the State of Florida. However, it’s recommended to get motorized scooter insurance in order to pay for medical costs, restoration costs, and other damages.
For example, suppose you are found guilty of being at fault in an accident involving a moped or electric scooter.
In that case, you will be financially liable for any damage to property and injuries, even if you are not required to carry vehicle insurance in Florida.
The least expensive way to fulfill this duty is to get insurance for your electric scooter or moped.
You can speak to an insurance company to get quotes for your electric scooter’s insurance. This is because the prices are different for each, depending on multiple factors.
What kind of scooter does not require a license in Florida?
S. 322.01(25) of the driver’s license law states that a moped with a displacement of 50 cc or less is not considered a motorcycle.
Therefore, you do not need to have a motorcycle certification on your normal operator (Class E) driver’s license, as per S. 322.03(4) of the driver’s license law.
You need to ride your electric scooter while ensuring that you follow these rules and regulations in order to stay out of trouble.
Can you ride electric scooters on sidewalks in Florida?
Electric scooters are designed for riders to stand on while operating, and bicycles are allowed on sidewalks.
However, it’s also true that there might be specific regulations or local ordinances in Florida that restrict the use of scooters and bicycles in certain areas or under certain conditions.
These restrictions could be related to safety concerns, traffic flow, or other local considerations. Therefore, while riding your electric scooter on the road, make sure you adhere to the laws related to riding e-scooters on sidewalks in Florida.
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Wrapping Up!
In the end, you must abide by Florida’s electric scooter rules in order to ride an e-scooter lawfully if you live there and decide to use one for your everyday commute.
In addition, you must follow all safety regulations intended to ensure the safety of riders and other road users.
Florida has only implemented a few simple, easy-to-remember, yet important restrictions, such as wearing a helmet, staying on the bicycle lane, having a driver’s license, and a few others.
Therefore, users in Florida can enjoy stress-free e-scooter trips.
FAQs
Since electric scooters are not made to be operated manually, you cannot use them as a normal kick scooter.
Riding your electric scooter at the speed of 30 Mph is indeed faster than normal speed and can cause you hard if you lose control of the scooter.
16.5 years is factually the youngest driving age regulated in Australia.Â
