How Your Child’s E-Scooter Can Increase Car Insurance Costs

Electric scooters are becoming very popular in the UK. They are especially loved by young people who want a cheap and easy way to get around. A lot of parents feel that e-scooters are a good option instead of buying a first car. This choice helps them save moneyon getting a driving licence, buying a vehicle, and paying for car insurance premiums.

Many parents do not know that letting their child ride a private e-scooter on a public highway, cycle lanes, or pavements can lead to penalty points and fines. It could also raise car insurance costs. UK government rules state that e-scooters are treated as motor vehicles. This means they must follow the same laws as cars and mopeds.

1. The Legal Status of Electric Scooters in the UK

Why Are Private E-Scooters Illegal on Public Roads?

Privately owned electric scooters cannot be used on public roads, cycle paths, or pavements. They are considered motor vehiclesbased on the Road Traffic Act 1988.

1. A valid full licence or a provisional UK licence

2. Insurance coverage

3. Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax)

4. Must follow MOT and safety rules

Right now, you cannot get insurance for a privately owned e-scooter. This means it is illegal to use one on a public highway.

Penalties for Illegal E-Scooter Use

If a young rider gets caught using a personal e-scooter in the wrong way, they may face:

For young people without a driving licence, the DVLA keeps penalty points on a ghost licence. When they apply for a provisional licence later, these penalty points will still be there. This could result in them being disqualified right away.

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2. How E-Scooter Penalty Points Affect Car Insurance

Insurance Costs Before and After Penalty Points

Insurance companies look at penalty points to determine if a driver is risky. This means that even points from something like an electric scooter offence can make your car insurance premiumsgo up.

According to quotes from FreePriceCompare.com on 06/02/2025, a 6-point penalty on a licence leads to these premium increases:

For young drivers, penalty points can raise car insurance costsa lot. This makes it very expensive for them. Parents who add their child as a named driver might also notice that their car insurance premiums go up.

3. E-Scooter Accidents and Safety Risks

Accident Statistics (Department for Transport, 2024)

1. In 2023, there were 1,292 e-scooter accidents.

2. A total of 1,387 people were hurt.

3. 80% of those hurt were riders.

4. There were 6 deaths, all of them were e-scooter riders.

5. 23% of the e-scooter injuries were males under 19.

Why Private E-Scooters Are More Dangerous

1. Private e-scooters were part of 82% of all e-scooter accidents.

2. Many private e-scooters go faster than the legal limit of 15.5 mph, with some going up to 50 mph.

3. Public rental scooters have speed limits and safety features included.

Many local councils and the UK government are cracking down on the illegal use of private e-scooters because of these risks.

4. Where Can E-Scooters Be Legally Used?

Only rental e-scooters in trial areas approved by the government are legal.

Rental e-scooters in these areas have:

• Speed restrictions (15.5 mph max)
• Mandatory insurance coverage
• Safety regulations

Using an electric scooter outside these trial areas is against the law. You can only ride it on private property if you have the permission of the landowner.

5. How Parents Can Avoid Increased Car Insurance Premiums

• Do not let kids ride a private scooter on public roads.
• Make sure they know the legal risks before buying a scooter.
• Think about using public transport or biking as a different option.
• Review the terms of use for your car insurance policy about penalty points.

If you use an e-scooter, make sure it is part of a government trial scheme.

6. What Happens If You Get Caught Riding an E-Scooter Without a Licence?

Many people do not know that riding an electric scooter in the UK requires a valid full licence or a provisional UK licence. If you do not have one of these, it is a criminal offence. E-scootersare seen as motor vehicles. This means they need to follow the same rules about licences as mopeds or motorcycles.

Consequences of Riding Without a Licence

If a young rider is found riding an electric scooter on a public road without a valid licence, they might face:

1. A fine as high as £300

2. Up to 6 penalty points that may go on their first driving licence

3. The police can take the e-scooter away

For people who are underage and don’t have a provisional licence, the DVLA keeps track of penalty points. When they apply for a driving licence later, these penalty points will be added automatically. This could result in higher insurance costsor even a disqualification right away under the New Driver Act.

If a rider is caught using an e-scooter without insurance, they may face more court actions. This could lead to having a criminal record.

7. How the UK Government is Regulating E-Scooters

The UK government has not acted quickly to set clear rules for private e-scooters. However, talks about what will happen next are still happening. Right now, you can only ride e-scooters legally if they are part of a rental scheme approved by the government in certain trial areas.

Government Plans for E-Scooters in 2025

The Department for Transport (DfT) is thinking about these steps to fully legalise e-scooters:

1. Insurance is required for private e-scooters.

2. A new driving licence category will be for e-scooter riders.

3. Some e-scooters will need to pay vehicle excise duty (road tax).

4. Private e-scooters must be registered.

5. There will be new rules for e-scooter safety and maintenance.

If these changes happen, people who ride private e-scooters may need to pass a theory test. This test is like the one for a moped licence. They might also need to get insurance before they can ride their electric scooter on a public road.

8. The Difference Between Public Rental E-Scooters and Private E-Scooters

There is a big difference between e-scooters that people own and the rental e-scooters found in government trial areas.

Private e-scooters are not insured. They also do not have speed limits. Because of this, they are seen as high-risk. They are more likely to be in accidents.

9. The Role of Insurance in E-Scooter Use

Right now, car insurance does not cover the use of e-scooters. In the UK, no insurance company offers coverage for privately owned e-scooters when used on public roads. On the other hand, rental e-scooters come with insurance included in their price.

Why Insurance is Important for E-Scooter Users

1. If you don’t have insurance, any accident with an e-scooter can make you fully liable for costs.

2. A collision between an e-scooter and a motor vehicle may impact the driver’s car insurance policy.

3. Insurance companies may deny coverage or raise rates for anyone who has a record of e-scooter offences.

As electric vehicles become more popular, it is expected that insurance policies will change. They should start covering personal light electric vehicles. However, this change has not taken place yet.

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10. How UK Cities Are Managing E-Scooter Trials

Different UK cities have their own rules about e-scooters. Some cities allow rental services to operate freely. Meanwhile, other cities have a strict ban on private scooters.

Examples of Cities with Strict Enforcement

1. London – Police often take private e-scooters that are used in the wrong way.

2. Liverpool – A lot of accidents have caused police to pay more attention to rental schemes.

3. Newcastle – It is not allowed to use privately owned e-scooters in cycle lanes or on main roads.

4. Cambridge – Only scooters from rental operators are allowed in cycle paths.

In the West Midlands and the West of England, rental e-scooters fit well into public transport. This shows how legal e-scooter programs might work in the future.

11. E-Scooter Accidents vs. Bicycle and Moped Accidents: A Comparison

From these numbers, it’s easy to see that e-scooters have a greater chance of causing serious injury compared to bicycles or mopeds.

One main reason for this is that people do not use helmets. For mopeds, helmets must be worn by law. But e-scooter riders do not have to wear helmets.

12. The Future of E-Scooters in the UK: What to Expect

The UK government has said that e-scooters will be controlled in the future. However, it is still unclear when they will be fully legal.

Possible Future E-Scooter Regulations

1. A licensing system like the one for scooters and motorbikes.

2. A rule for e-scooter riders to pass a simple road safety test.

3. Required insurance for private e-scooters.

4. A ban on fast models that go over 25 mph.

Some cities, like London, Liverpool, and Bristol, have begun to include e-scooters in their transport plans. This could influence changes in national policies.

13. The Financial Costs of Breaking E-Scooter Laws

Breaking the e-scooter laws can be very expensive. You could pay thousands of pounds. This can happen if you get penalty points, which might raise your insurance costs. It can also be costly if you are involved in an accident.

14. Could E-Scooters Be Included in Driving Tests?

Experts say that as more people use personal light electric vehicles, like e-scooters, safety training for them should be part of UK driving tests.

1. There may be new road safety modules added to theory tests.

2. E-scooter handling tests may be included in motorcycle licensing.

3. The MOT system could change to have annual checks for e-scooters.

If this happens, people who use the road might have to learn e-scooter laws. They will need to do this before getting their provisional licence.

FAQs About E-Scooter Laws and Car Insurance