If you want to try an e-scooter with no obligation to purchase, there are always local rental points and services that will put you on deck with a shiny new e-scooter with minimal effort. Don`t forget to read the operating, parking and mooring rules, and you`re good to go. The only time you are allowed to drive an electric scooter on the sidewalk is to park the scooter or put a scooter parked on the street. Micromobility is all the rage in California now, but with freedom comes responsibility. If you`re not sure about the rules and regulations for electric scooters in California, we`ve got you covered. Read on to find out the laws you need to know to use your electric scooter in California. Pro Tip: Pay attention to your speed! Electric scooters are only allowed to travel a maximum of 15 miles per hour. Most electric scooter motors reach a top speed of 15 mph (some stop at 14.9 mph for safety reasons), so speed is usually not an issue unless you buy the used modified scooter from someone. California`s Electric Scooter Act allows motorists to drive their vehicles on Class II and IV trails marked for bicycles, regardless of the speed limit specified for cars. However, electric scooters must maintain a speed of 15 mph or less.
This is to ensure the safety of cyclists who also use one of the two bike paths. If you own a motorcycle, moped, scooter or other motorized bike, you must register it with DMV. If you want to buy your electric scooter, they can work anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. They are available in most online and big box stores. With such a low price, it`s no wonder they`re becoming a very popular choice among people who travel from work to school in a single city. These regulations apply to standard motorized scooters. Mobility scooters, on the other hand, can be driven on the road up to 30 miles per hour. However, this law only applies to mobility scooters driven by elderly people or people with physical disabilities. To work in low light conditions or in the evening, an electric scooter must be equipped with a white front light that can be seen 300 feet from the front and sides of the scooter. It should also have a red reflector on the back that reflects headlights up to 500 feet away, and white or yellow reflectors visible on the sides.
We`ve already mentioned this in the Basics section, but it`s worth repeating, as California considers electric scooters to be motor vehicles and using one under the influence of drugs or alcohol will get you ticketed. The weather is perfect for exploring our beautiful state of California, and what could be better than reaching the hot spots with electric scooters! While the blue skies and endless fun await you, you should familiarize yourself with the state`s laws on the safety and compliance of the operation of electric scooters before embarking on electric scooters. Finally, the information ensures you live an epic and unforgettable adventure in the Golden State. Unlike the use of motor vehicles, state law sets a speed limit for electric scooters at 15 miles per hour. Exceeding this speed can result in a ticket that puts a brake on your day of fun. Most electric scooter rental and touring agencies have set their scooters to not exceed 15 miles per hour, making the ride much easier to manage. Electric scooters must have a brake that allows the driver to perform a braked bike slip on dry, flat ground. No Fred Feuerstein stops here! If cyclists break the helmet rule, they should expect a quote of around $200. Since the law was implemented, the majority of e-scooter citations are due to the fact that drivers don`t wear helmets when they should. That`s where it gets interesting. Technically, there is no legal obligation to have special insurance for your electric scooter.
However, you`ll need a license (or a learner`s license) to drive one, and one of the conditions of a license in California is to carry basic insurance, so while you don`t need “scooter insurance,” your basic liability insurance covers you. CVC§21235 allows people to drive an electric scooter with a valid learning license in addition to a driver`s license. With the Lime-S app, you can locate, rent and operate a chic new Lime-S electric scooter in local communities. All you have to do is download the app, follow the simple instructions and you`re good to go. (No credit card? No problem! With Lime, you can pay cash for any CVS or 7-11 participant or use the text feature to unlock if you don`t have a smartphone). Not only do electric scooter drivers have to follow the same traffic rules as motor vehicles, but they also have the same rights as motor vehicles. This means that you simply use your electric scooter with the same intentions as your car, even under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drinking while immersing your electric scooter can result in a DUI fee. According to CVC § 275, zebra passages are also marked as part of a sidewalk. For this reason, it is illegal to drive an e-scooter on a zebra passage. Instead, drivers have to get off and cross a zebra passage with their scooter. Electric scooters are motorized devices with two wheels, handlebars and a board on which you stand to get up.
You can use an electric scooter with any class of driver`s license in California. You do not need to register the device with the VDD. And you can only ride the scooter up to 15 MPH and on a bike path, trail or bike path – but not on a sidewalk. The HVAC prohibits electric scooter drivers from riding in tandem. Drivers must have a valid driver`s license or driver`s license to drive electric scooters under this law. However, owners may have their age requirements to use the equipment. CVC §21221 is a kind of catch-all highway code for electric scooters. It stipulates that electric scooters have the same rights and obligations as a motor vehicle.
The only exception is when these rights or obligations “cannot by their nature apply”. It can be especially dangerous for scooter drivers to make left turns due to traffic patterns, limited visibility, and overall speed. For this reason, the CVC § 21228 imposes strict measures on drivers when making left turns. Drivers are required by law to stop, get off and walk across the roadway on the crosswalk when turning left. In this way, drivers are more likely to avoid an accident that could be caused by pedestrians, other drivers or vehicles. California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 21235 was written specifically for electric scooters with an electric motor, board and handlebar. One of the sections of it requires cyclists under the age of 18 to use a bicycle helmet on an electric scooter. This bike helmet must fit properly. It must also be fixed. There are a few additional classes of motorized vehicles, some of which are legal on the road in California. If you or someone you know has been injured while riding an electric scooter, contact a Sacramento personal injury attorney at our law firm for legal advice.
Did you know? The first scooter that did not depend on the power of the foot to move was built in 1915! Electric scooters such as Bird scooters can reach speeds of up to 17 mph. According to California Vehicle Code cVC § 22411, drivers can only legally drive up to 15 miles per hour. While public rides such as Bird and Lime have set limits on how fast their scooters can go, going down a hill can significantly increase their speed. Drivers who violate the legal speed limit can face fines of up to $250. Electric scooters occupy this strange middle ground between motorcycles (smaller than cars, but still able to power themselves) and bicycles (another unique vehicle, but without that crucial thing about the engine). For this reason and their generally small profile, they can share the space on the street with the bikes on the bike path. They are legal on the road, but are usually intended to use bike paths (both classes). Drivers who use the scooter on sidewalks or in other prohibited areas will be fined approximately $200. Scooter laws in California refer to speed and where a motorist can legally ride their electric scooter. The places that motorists and cyclists use when moving are called different classes of the bike path.
