Electric Scooter Laws & Legality in the US (As of 2023)

Durango

Not Officially Legalized

Falls under the same classification as electric bikes. Class I pedal-assist and Class II throttle-assist e-bikes are allowed on City of Durango hard surface trails. No electric-assist motorized skateboards, scooters, onewheels, etc. allowed on City trails.

IL

Joliet

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

MS

Jackson

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

CA

Glendale

Fully Legal

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Frisco

Fully Legal

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

El Paso

Fully Legal

Legal to ride over the age of 18.

IA

Des Moines

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Midland

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

MO

Kansas City

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 20 mph. Need to abide by bike laws (riding on the street, stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians).

LA

New Orleans

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

OK

Oklahoma City

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

CA

San Bernardino

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Plano

Not Officially Legalized

Individuals are allowed by law to own and operate e-scooters within the city without a permit.

MA

Worcester

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

FL

Pembroke Pines

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Pasadena

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Brownsville

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

FL

Cape Coral

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

SD

Sioux Falls

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

TX

Carrollton

Not Officially Legalized

Currently no city specific ordinances exist. In this case the state laws currently in place offer the best reference to legality.

NV

Las Vegas

Not Officially Legalized

No individual city regulations, follow the state laws. Fully legal in NV.

AR

Little Rock

Not Officially Legalized

No city specific regulations. Legal in AK.

TN

Memphis

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Scooters are not permitted on sidewalks. When on roads and bike paths, scooters must abide by the traffic laws and signals.

GA

Atlanta

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Cannot be ridden on the sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws.

TX

Austin

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Must abide by all traffic laws of motor vehicles when riding on a road. Can ride on a sidewalk, but must give pedestrians the right of way. Children under the age of 17 must wear a helmet when operating a scooter. Scooters cannot exceed 20 mph.

FL

Miami

Legal (License Required)

Scooters are legal to operate. Must be 18 years or older and have a valid drivers license, state ID, or passport as proof of age. Helmets are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Only one person at a time can ride. Scooters cannot exceed 15 mph on streets, and 7 mph on sidewalks.

TN

Nashville

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Cannot ride on the sidewalks. When riding on the streets, must abide by traffic laws and signals. Scooters cannot exceed 20 mph. Helmets are not required, but are recommended. Need to be over the age of 18 to operate.

CT

Bridgeport

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Can ride on the sidewalks, roads and bike lanes. When riding, must wear a helmet. Must abide by traffic laws and signs. Cannot exceed 10 mph, there is a speed limit of 5 mph in some areas of the city near city center.

CA

Huntington Beach

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal to operate. Must be 16 years or older to operate. Helmets are required. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

ID

Boise

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Cannot operate on sidewalks. Must be ridden in bike lanes or in the street. Must abide by traffic laws and signals. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

OH

Cincinnati

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Cannot operate on sidewalks and must be ridden on roads and bike lanes. Must abide by traffic laws and signals. Only 1 person on each scooter.

TX

Houston

Fully Legal

Houston does not have any specific guidelines for electric scooter. Follow the state's rules and regulations. Scooters can operate on roads and sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws and signals. Cannot exceed 15 mph. There are no statewide helmet laws, but are strongly encouraged.

KY

Lexington

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Scooters are not permitted on the sidewalks. When riding on the road, must abide by traffic laws and signs. Cannot exceed 15 mph. Helmets are not required, but are strongly encouraged.

MA

Boston

Legal (License Required)

Fully legal to operate. Must abide by traffic laws. Cannot go over 20 mph. Need to have a drivers license or permit to operate.

MD

Baltimore

Fully Legal

Fully legal to ride. Cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws. If under the ae of 16, must wear a helmet when operating a scooter.

IL

Chicago

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot operate on sidewalks and must be ridden on roads and bike lanes. Must abide by traffic laws. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

CA

Los Angeles

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Must be 18 years or older to operate. Helmets are not required, but are strongly recommended. Cannot exceed 15 mph. Sidewalk riding is prohibited. When riding on the streets, must abide by traffic laws and signs. Must yield to pedestrians.

CA

Long Beach

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Must be 18 years or older to operate. All riders must wear helmets. Sidewalk riding is prohibited. When riding on the bike lane or street, must abide by traffic laws.

AL

Alabama

Legal (License Required)

Class “B” restricted motorcycle license required. Helmets are required for all riders. Operators must be at least 14 years old to apply for "B" restricted Motorcycle license.

MO

Kansas City, Missouri

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 20 mph. Need to abide by bike laws (riding on the street, stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians).

KS

Kansas City, Kansas

Legal (License Required)

Riders must have a valid drivers license, riding on sidewalks is prohibited. Helmets are not required but encouraged by the city.

DC

Washington, DC

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Cannot exceed 10 mph. Helmets not required, but strongly suggested. Sidewalk riding is not permitted in the Central Business District. Have to be over the age of 16 to operate. If under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.

NJ

Newark

Fully Legal

Fully legal to operate. Cannot ride on sidewalks. Must abide by all traffic laws: yielding to pedestrians, stopping at red lights, riding on the right side of the road. Cannot exceed 15 mph. Must be 17 years old to operate.

FL

St. Petersburg

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot exceed 15 mph. Cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws. Helmets are not required, but strongly encouraged. Must be 18 years old to operate.

NY

New York City

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot exceed over 20 mph. Must abide by bike laws (cannot ride on sidewalks, stop at red lights, yield to pedestrians, ride on the right side of the road). If renting under the age of 18, must wear a helmet. Must be over the age of 16 to operate an electric scooter.

NC

Winston-Salem

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Must be over 16 years of age to operate. Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged. Cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws. Cannot go over 20 mph.

MN

Minneapolis

Fully Legal

The rules for scooters are similar to the rules for bicycles. Riders must follow all traffic laws, including stopping for red lights and stop signs as well as giving the right of way.

NV

Reno

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Must be over the age of 16 to operate. Must not exceed 15 mph. Cannot be ridden on the sidewalk. Must abide by traffic laws.

LA

Baton Rouge

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 15 mph. Need to be over the age of 17 to operate without a helmet. If under the age of 17, a properly fitted helmet must be worn. Cannot carry any packages while driving/riding an electric scooter. Must abide by traffic and bicycle laws.

MO

St. Louis

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Must be ridden on the streets and abide by traffic laws. All riders must wear a helmet. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

CO

Aurora

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot exceed 15.5 mph. Cannot ride on the sidewalk. Must abide by traffic laws. Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged.

TX

San Antonio

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Not permitted on sidewalks. Must be ridden on streets or bike lanes. Helmets are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Must abide by traffic laws. Must be 16 years old to operate. Cannot exceed 20 mph.

TN

Knoxville

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Must be ridden on the streets and abide by traffic laws. Must be over the age of 16 to ride and have a valid ID. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

FL

Tallahassee

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot exceed 15 mph (6mph in some areas). Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged. If under the age of 16, a helmet must be worn. Allowed on streets, sidewalks, and bike paths.

IN

Fort Wayne

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Must abide by traffic laws. Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

NC

Charlotte

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 15 mph. Scooters can be ridden on the sidewalks, except in certain areas of the downtown area. Need to be over the age of 16 to operate without a helmet. If under the age of 16, must be wearing a properly fitting helmet.

MI

Detroit

Fully Legal

Legal to ride. Must be 18 years old to operate. Cannot ride on the sidewalk and must abide by traffic laws. Helmets are suggested but not required. Cannot exceed 15 mph.

WI

Milwaukee

Fully Legal

Legal to ride, but have to abide by bike laws (riding on the street, stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians).

NC

North Carolina

Legal (License Required)

Electric scooters fall under the definition of 'moped'. Riders must be at least 16 years old and must wear a helmet meeting the FMVSS 218 (motorcycle) standard. Operators must have a valid North Carolina driver license or identification card.

CA

California

Legal (License Required)

Electric Scooters are legal but limited to speeds at or below 15mph. A valid driver's license or learners permit is required. A helmet is also required for any riders under the age of 18.

AK

Alaska

Legal (License Required)

Statewide, electric scooters operators are required to be at least 14 years old and have an M2 class motorcycle license. Operators under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

MN

Minnesota

Fully Legal

Electric scooters have the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists. They are allowed on streets and highways without a driver’s license and without the vehicle being registered, licensed, or insured. They are considered 'motor vehicles' under Minnesota law. An operator of a motorized scooter who is under age 18 must wear a helmet. A person must be at least 12 years old to operate on public streets and highways

MI

Michigan

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal on public streets for anyone over the age of 12 years old. No license is required. Helmets are required for riders under the age of 19. Scooters are limited to 25 mph. They are not considered motor vehicles.

RI

Rhode Island

Legal (License Required)

Electric scooters may be operated on sidewalks or in the roadway.

PR

Puerto Rico

Pending More Information

SD

South Dakota

Legal (Heavily Regulated)

Electric scooters are classified as mopeds. All motor scooter operators must have a valid driver’s license. No person under 18 years of age may ride a motor scooter unless wearing a helmet. Scooters do not have to be registered but must meet all federal highway safety standards.

TN

Tennessee

Fully Legal

Electric Scooters are legal to ride under 15 mph. A helmet and license are not required. Operators must be at least 16 years old. Scooters are considered motor vehicles.

CO

Colorado

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are governed by the same rules as electric bicycles. They must be driven in the street and have a max speed of 20 MPH. Operators must be at least 16 years old and any riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.

MP

Northern Mariana Islands

VT

Vermont

Not Officially Legalized

Vermont has no clear legislation for both electric scooters. Some cities are in their pilot programs to understand the impact of micro-mobility in their cities.

GU

Guam

KS

Kansas

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal to ride and must follow the same rules as cyclists.

MS

Mississippi

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal and have all the rights and duties of a person riding a bicycle. Operators must be at least 15 years old. Scooter are limited to speeds below 15 miles per hour. There are not statewide helmet laws and a driver's license is not required to operate an electric scooters.

DE

Delaware

Banned in Most Areas

Electric Scooters are legal to own but cannot be used on public streets or sidewalks

NM

New Mexico

Not Officially Legalized

Proposed bill (linked below) would allow for the regulation of scooters under the same laws as bicycles. Helmets are required for riders under the age of 18.

MT

Montana

Not Officially Legalized

In Montana, electric scooters fall under motorized non-standard vehicles and are not for use in roadways. Every city can override these laws for their own needs.

FL

Florida

Fully Legal

Electric Scooter riders have the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists. Scooters are not required to have a valid driver license. Riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet.

KY

Kentucky

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are treated the same as bicycles under Kentucky law. Operators must be at least 16 years of age and cannot ride durring the period from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise. They are not considered motor vehicles and a license is not required. There are no statewide requirements for helmets.

ID

Idaho

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are street legal and are not considered motor vehicles. They do not require a tittle, registration, or license to ride. There are no state wide helmet laws regarding electric scooters in Idaho.

SC

South Carolina

Legal (Heavily Regulated)

Electric Scooters are considered Mopeds. Operators must have a class D, G, or M driver’s license. Scooters cannot exceeding a speed of 25 miles per hour. Any person under the age of twenty-one must wear a helmet. Scooters must be registered with the state.

OK

Oklahoma

Fully Legal

Scooters are legal to ride at speeds less than 25 mph on roads with speed limits at or below 25 mph. Operators must be at least 16 years old but are not required to have a license. There are no statewide helmet laws.

AZ

Arizona

Fully Legal

Electric scooters can be ridden anywhere a bicycle can go, including sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Helmets are not required statewide but are currently required for any riders under the age of 18 in Tucson, Sierra Vista, Yuma county, and Pima counties.

WV

West Virginia

Legal (Heavily Regulated)

Scooters fall under the classification of Mopeds. Must be titled and registered with DMV

LA

Louisiana

Fully Legal

Electric (low-speed) scooters are allowed on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and highways. They are not considered motor vehicle. Any riders under the age of 17 must wear a helmet. Riders are not required to have a license.

DC

Washington

Fully Legal

Legal to operate. Cannot exceed 10 mph. Helmets not required, but strongly suggested. Sidewalk riding is not permitted in the Central Business District. Have to be over the age of 16 to operate. If under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.

IN

Indiana

Fully Legal

Electric scooters have the same rights and responsibilities as a bicycle. You can ride them in the street and on bike paths, and don't need insurance or a license. They are not legally considered motor vehicles. Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old.

CT

Connecticut

Fully Legal

Electric scooter riders share the same rights, privileges and duties that currently exist for bicycle riders. Operators must be at least 15 years of age. Scooters are not allowed to be driven on sidewalks. All riders are required to wear a helmet. Scooters are limited to a speed of 20 mph.

UT

Utah

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are considered motor assisted scooters and are available for ages 18 and above. Scooters can ride in areas where laws allow bicycles but cannot exceed 15 mph. A valid driver's license is not required.

NH

New Hampshire

Legal (License Required)

Electric scooters are legal to ride on public roads and bicycle paths. Operators must be at least 16 years old but are not required to hold a valid drivers license. New Hampshire does require that the scooter be licensed. There are no specified speed limits or helmet laws.

VA

Virginia

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are allowed with: Top speed of 20 mph, Riders must be 14 years old or above (or supervised), Usability in highways with speeds below 25 mph

NV

Nevada

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are allowed on any roadway, bicycle lane, path or sidewalk at a speeds 15 mph or less. Electric scooters are not considered motor vehicles and operators are not required to have a drivers license. Operators must be at least 16 years of age. There are no statewide helmet laws.

ME

Maine

Legal (License Required)

Electric scooter riders must be at least 16 yers old and have a valid driver's license to operate. Helmets are not required by state law.

KS

Wichita

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 20mph, must be 18 or older, and operation is prohibited between the hours of dusk or 9:00 P.M (whichever is later) and sunrise.

NY

New York

Fully Legal

Legal to ride up to 20mph. Allowed on streets with posted speed limits under 30mph, but not on sidewalks. Must wear a helmet if under the age of 18

GA

Georgia

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are allowed on bike paths, bike lanes, and on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less if no bike lane or path is available. Riders must be at least 15 years old and are required to wear a helmet.

VI

Virgin Islands

NE

Nebraska

Fully Legal

Nebraska does not have searchable statewide legislation for electric scooter, but several pilot programs have introduced scooters into Nebraska cities. A license is not required to operate. There are no current helmet or age restrictions at the state level.

NJ

New Jersey

Fully Legal

Electric scooter are regulated the same as bicycles in New Jersey. They are considered motor vehicles but operators are not required to have a valid driver's license. Helmets must be worn by any riders under the age of 17. Scooters can be driven on public roads and bike paths.

OR

Oregon

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are allowed on streets, multi-use paths and in bike lanes.

TX

Texas

Fully Legal

Riders do not need a driver’s license to operate an electric scooter. Scooters can be driven on roads or sidewalks. There are no statewide helmets laws. Scooters are considered motor vehicles.

MD

Maryland

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal in Maryland and share the same rights and responsibilities as bicycles. Any riders below the age of 16 must wear a helmet. Scooters cannot exceed 20 MPH.

OH

Ohio

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal to ride for anyone over the age of 16 years old. Electric scooters cannot go over 15 mph but are usable anywhere. Scooters are not considered motor vehicles. There are no statewide helmet or license requirements.

ND

North Dakota

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are classified the same as any other motorized scooters with top speeds less than 30 mph. User need to have a valid driver's license. The minimum age is 14 years or older. All riders need to have a helmet.

HI

Hawaii

Fully Legal

In Hawaii, electric foot scooter share the same rights as bicycles. All riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. Scooters are not allowed to be ridden on sidewalks. Lamps and reflective material are required when operated from the hours of dusk to dawn.

AR

Arkansas

Fully Legal

Electric scooters have to abide by the same laws as a bicycle. Operators must be at least 16 years old, and that the scooters not be allowed to move at a speed above 15 mph.

PA

Pennsylvania

Legal (Heavily Regulated)

Illegal to use on roads or sidewalks without proper registration.

MO

Missouri

Legal (License Required)

Electric scooters can be operated on public streets and highways if the driver holds a valid license. A helmet is required for all riders. Scooters are considered a motor vehicle.

WI

Wisconsin

Fully Legal

Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 20 mph. Scooters can be ridden on the shoulder of roadways, bike paths, and sidewalks unless otherwise prohibited by a municipality. Electric scooters are considered motor vehicles. There are no statewide helmet laws. A license is not required.

WY

Wyoming

Not Officially Legalized

While e-bikes have been legalized in Wyoming, there is no official guidance yet on electric scooters.

DC

District of Columbia

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal in Washington D.C. Operators must be 16 years or older to and are required to wear a helmet if under the age of 18. They are not permitted on sidewalks.

MA

Massachusetts

Fully Legal

Electric scooters are legal and limited to 15 miles per hour. A person operating a (lightweight motorized) electric scooter has the right to use all public roads (not highways) and bike paths. Electric scooters can also be operated on sidewalks outside of business district. Helmets are not required by state law. There are not currently any licensing or age restrictions.

IA

Iowa

Fully Legal

Proposed bill to treat scooters as bicycles, allowing them on roads, sidewalks, and bike-paths. A license is not required. There is no statewide requirement for helmet use.

IL

Illinois

Legal (License Required)

All operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license, instruction permit or State identification card. Helmets are not required by state law.