Are Electric Skateboards Legal in Your Country?
Whether you're heading to work, college, or just hanging out, electric skateboards offer an efficient and much of fun way for daily short-distance commuting. They also serve as an engaging and exhilarating outdoor activity, allowing you to embark on adventures with friends. However, it's important to note whether it is legal or not when riding electric skateboards on the road in your country. This blog will delve into the legal regulations surrounding electric skateboards in the United States, European Countries, and Australia, offering advice to ensure their safe and lawful riding.
Please be aware that the information provided below should not be interpreted as legal advice. The content presented is intended for general informational purposes only.
Are Electric Skateboards Legal in the United States?
The legal status of electric skateboards in the United States varies from state to state. Generally, electric skateboards are allowed, but the specifics vary. California, Michigan, Texas, and Colorado are legal to ride electric skateboards, but Florida and New York aren't legal to ride electric skateboards on the road. I have compiled the legal status of electric skateboards into a table for some states, along with specific requirements or explanations.
|
US State |
Legal Status |
Requirements |
|
California |
Legal |
• Age: at least 16. • Must Wear helmets. • Not allowed to ride on highways • Ride on roads with a speed limit of under 35mph. • Top speed should be under 20mph. • Power must be under 1000W. • Riding speed can't exceed 15mph on public property. • Must have light when riding at night. |
|
Florida |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboarding is illegal in Florida. Although it is illegal to do so. However, Florida law allows motor vehicles with output power of less than 700W and speeds below 32 km / h (20 mph) to travel in certain lanes. |
|
Michigan |
Legal |
• Ride on roads with a speed limit of under 25mph. • Top speed should be under 25mph. • Power must be under 2,500W. • Only transport one person at a time. |
|
New York |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards, Segways, hoverboards, and electric unicycles are not legal to ride. |
|
Texas |
Legal |
• Ride on roads with a speed limit of under 35mph. • Allow ride in a separate bicycle lane. • Allow ride on the sidewalk. |
|
Colorado |
Legal |
• Ride under 20 mph. • Top speed should be under 20mph. • With the same rights and privileges of ebike. |
Are Electric Skateboards Legal in the United Kingdom?
Compared to the United States, the United Kingdom has much stricter requirements for electric skateboards. Electric skateboards are not legal to ride in the UK. It's legal to buy and own an electric skateboard, but you can only ride it in private places.
The UK government announced on 9 May 2020 that it would be testing an e-scooter rental scheme in 50 locations across the UK. You can rent electric scooters and use them legally in certain areas. Additionally, riders don't need insurance to rent an e-scooter, but they only need a driver's license.
You should keep the highest speed to 14mph while riding a rental e-scooter. Moreover, for your safety, always wear a helmet and thick pads on your knees and shoulders. Lastly, even if you are riding a rental e-scooter, you can't ride it on sidewalks and pavements.
|
Country |
Legal Status |
Requirements |
|
United Kingdom |
Not Legal |
• Illegal to ride a privately owned electric skateboard and scooter on public roads. • Only ride an electric skateboard within the premises of your house. • Allow to hire an e-scooter in around 50 areas in the UK, including Newcastle and Bournemouth. Furthermore. • Riders don't need insurance to hire an e-scooter, but they need a driving license. |
Are Electric Skateboards Legal in Europe?
There are no specific rules for electric skateboard laws in Europe. ach European country independently governs the use of electric skateboards, resulting in varying rules and permissions. While some countries permit the use of electric skateboards on public roads, others prohibit it.
Here is a summarized table providing insights into the legality of electric skateboards in select European countries:
|
European Country |
Legal Status |
Requirments |
|
Germany |
Not Legal |
• Allow to buy. • Not allowed to ride in public. |
|
France |
Legal |
• Age must be over 12. • Top speed should be under 20mph. |
|
Sweden |
Legal |
• Top speed should be under 20km/h. • Power must be under 250W. • Follow the bicycle rules. |
|
Greece |
Not Legal |
• Working on new laws to allow the use of electric vehicles in public spaces. • Top speed should be under 6km/h if riding on the footpath. • Top speed should be under 25km/h if riding on the road. Must have a sticker about the manufacturer, the maximum speed, and the vehicle's identification number. |
|
Iceland |
Legal |
• No specific laws governing the use of electric skateboards. • Obey traffic rules and ride responsibly. |
|
Ireland |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards are classified as Mechanically Powered Vehicles, they must be roadworthy, taxed, insured and registered. Riders must have the appropriate licenses. |
|
Italy |
Legal |
• Top speed should be under 30km/h. • Allow rides in pedestrian areas, pavements, roads, and cycle paths. |
|
Lithuania |
Unclear |
• No mention of eboards in the Lithuanian laws. • Ebikes and e-scooters with a power up to 250W are allowed. |
|
Netherlands |
Not Legal |
Only a car, moped, motorbike, and bicycle are legal. |
|
Norway |
Legal |
• Electric skateboards have been given the same regulations as bicycles. • Top speed should be under 20km/h. • Must be equipped with headlights, taillights, reflectors, and a horn or signal bell. |
|
Poland |
Legal |
• The width of an electric skateboard can't exceed 0,9m in motion, a length not exceeding 1,25m, and an unladen mass not exceeding 20kg. • Top speed should be under 25km/h. |
|
Portugal |
Legal |
• No specific laws governing the use of electric skateboards. |
|
Spain |
Legal |
• Rules depend on the city. |
|
Switzerland |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards are illegal in Switzerland. Police officers have even been known to confiscate electric skateboards. |
|
Finland |
Legal |
• Ride on the footpath: Top speed should be under 15km/h; Power must be under 1000W. • Ride on the road: Top speed should be under 25km/h; Power must be under 1000W. • Must equipped with a front light, reflectors, and an audible warning device. |
|
Denmark |
Legal |
• The weight of an electric skateboard should be under 10kg. • Top speed should be under 20km/h. • Max range must be less than 30km. |
|
Czechia |
Unclear |
It's unclear whether electric skateboards are legal in the Czech Republic or not. There is no mention of any electric or motorized personal vehicles including skateboards, scooters, or bikes in the Road Traffic Act of Czechia. |
|
Croatia |
Unclear |
• Electric skateboards are defined in a moped category. • Top speed should be under 45km/h. • Power must be under 4000W. • Allow to ride on bike paths and sidewalks, but the law has not defined it quite precisely yet. |
|
Belgium |
Legal |
• Electric skateboards fall under the same laws as Segways. • Allow to ride on the same roads as bicycles. • Top speed should be under 20km/h. |
|
Austria |
Unclear |
• Electric skateboards aren't allowed to ride on sidewalks. |
Are Electric Skateboards Legal in Australia?
Electric skateboards are generally legal in Australia, but specific regulations can vary by state and territory. According to the Australian Road Rules (ARR), electric skateboards are not classified as motor vehicles under the Australian Road Rules. However, individual states and territories may have their regulations governing electric skateboard use on roads and public spaces. Here's a general overview:
|
Australia State |
Legal Status |
Requirements |
|
Australian Capital Territory
|
Legal |
• Allow to ride on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths and the bicycle side of separated paths. • Not allow rides on roads or bicycle lanes. • 10km/h when approaching and traveling across a crossing. • Speed should be under 15km/h when traveling on a footpath. • Speed should be under 25km/h when traveling on shared paths, bicycle side of separated paths, and bicycle paths. • Must wear an approved bicycle helmet and have a warning bell, lights, and reflectors. • Age must be over 12. |
|
New South Wales |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards aren't allowed to ride on any public roads or paths, you can only ride on private land. |
|
Northern Territory |
Unclear |
As electric skateboards are not yet properly classified, it would be safe to assume they are not allowed to be ridden on public roads and footpaths. |
|
Queensland |
Legal |
• Age must be over 16 or 12 with parent supervision. • Must wear a helmet • Top speed should be under25km/h. • Must have a flashing or steady white light at the front and a red light and reflector at the back when riding at night or in hazardous conditions. • Allow to ride on roads with a speed limit of less than 50km/h and does not have a dividing line or median strip. • Cannot ride on main roads or streets in Brisbane CBD. |
|
South Australia |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards aren't allowed to ride on any public roads or paths, you can only ride on private land. |
|
Tasmanian |
Unclear |
There isn't any specific classification for electric skateboards. The rules for skateboarding say that you can ride on footpaths or roads that have a speed limit of less than 50km/h without a dividing line or median strip. You also cannot ride between sunset and sunrise. |
|
Victoria |
Not Legal |
Electric skateboards aren't allowed to ride on any public roads or paths, you can only ride on private land. |
|
Western Australia |
Unclear |
Wheeled recreational devices, motorized scooters, and wheeled toys are prohibited on certain carriageways and where no wheeled device signs apply. |
Conclusion
Whether riding the concrete waves of California or navigating the cobbled streets of Germany, safety and awareness remain the key companions for every electric skateboarder. As the hum of electric motors becomes more common on roads worldwide, it's essential to stay informed, obey local laws, and ride responsibly. The electric skateboard community continues to roll forward, carving its mark on the streets and in the hearts of riders around global. Wherever your electric adventures take you, ride on, and ride safe!
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