Source: MIB

Do your students use e-scooters?
Here’s what they need to know.

E‑scooters are everywhere right now. For many learner drivers, they’re seen as a convenient alternative to driving lessons, a way to get around between lessons, or a cheaper option to save on fuel costs.

As a driving instructor, it’s important to be aware of the risks and legal implications your pupils may not fully understand.

Here’s the catch: although they’re easy to buy, it’s illegal to ride a private e‑scooter on UK roads without a licence and insurance. Owning one is fine, but riding one on public land isn’t.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, e‑scooters are classed as motor vehicles. That means they require a licence and insurance to operate legally. Currently, there are no insurance products available for private e-scooters. As a result, anyone using one on public roads is riding uninsured… with serious consequences that could directly impact their driving future.

How can I use an e-scooter legally?
To put it simply, you can’t legally use a private e-scooter in the UK on public land. However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has been running trials across the country where rental e-scooters can be hired and are allowed to be used on public roads and cycle lanes under specific conditions.

  • Rental e-scooters must be covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy (operators will always provide at least third-party cover but this may not protect the rider).
  • Riders must hold a valid driving licence (either a full or provisional licence).

It is also recommended that riders wear a helmet while using an e-scooter.

What are the consequences?
The consequences for riding an e-scooter illegally are the same as driving uninsured. Many people believe that they’re only risking a £300 fine, but they’re actually risking so much more…

  • Their vehicle or e-scooter being seized and possibly crushed
  • An unlimited fine if the case goes to court
  • 6 points on their licence (don’t forget, new drivers lose their licence at 6 points!)
  • A driving ban
  • Increased insurance premiums for years to come
  • If someone is injured, the rider could be personally liable for medical bills and compensation, potentially leaving them with long-term financial consequences.

But what if someone doesn’t have a driving licence yet? Even without a licence, the same penalties apply. The DVLA can create a ‘ghost licence’ to record penalty points, which will then carry over when they eventually apply for a provisional licence.

This can seriously disrupt, or even delay, their ability to learn to drive.

Don’t let an e-scooter derail a learner’s progress
As a driving instructor, you’re in a unique position to highlight the risks and help learners stay on the right side of the law, both on and off the road.

Using an e-scooter illegally is a serious offence and could end a learner’s driving journey before it properly begins.

OTHER COMMON INSURANCE MISTAKES