Local police have issued a firm reminder about the illegal use of privately owned e-scooters in Andover and surrounding areas, following a rise in reports from the public.
Under current UK law, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place. This includes roads, pavements, footpaths, cycle lanes, and any other area open to the public.
What the Law Says
E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means they must meet the same legal requirements as cars or motorbikes, including:
- MOT
- Tax
- Insurance
- Valid Driving Licence
- Construction regulations
As no privately owned e-scooter currently meets these standards, using one on public land is not permitted.
Offences and Penalties
Anyone caught riding a private e-scooter in a public place can face:
- A £300 fine
- Up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence
- Seizure and crushing of the e-scooter
Offences include driving without insurance and driving without a valid licence – both of which carry serious consequences.
Stay Safe and Informed
At present, the only legal way to use an e-scooter on public roads is via authorised government rental trial schemes in certain cities – and Andover is not one of these trial areas.
Residents are urged to stay informed and avoid costly penalties by not using private e-scooters in public. Enforcement action will continue to be taken where necessary.