Whilst using an e-scooter may be an efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel, it is against the law to ride an e-scooter on public roads, in cycle lanes and on pavements as they are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

It is currently not possible to get insurance for a private e-scooter making them illegal to use on the road or in public spaces. However, it is legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the landowner.

It’s a Police priority to keep you and other road users and pedestrians safe. If someone is caught by Kent Police repeatedly using an e-scooter illegally or in a way that causes a nuisance, police officers are obliged to take action and whilst the preference is to educate people to obey the law, they may use powers to seize the e-scooter under s.59 Police Reform Act or s.165 Road Traffic Act.

To find out more information about them, you can read Kent Police's advice on e-scooters.

Report an issue

As e-scooters are classed as a motor vehicle you can report a road traffic incident with Kent Police.