Washington DC classifies electric scooters as "Personal Mobility Devices" (PMDs) or "Electric Mobility Devices" (EMDs), not motor vehicles.
Age and Licensing: No license or DMV registration required, but riders must be at least 16 years old to operate on public roads.
Speed Limits: Maximum speed limit is 10 mph.
Helmet Requirements: Those under 18 must wear a helmet.
Where You Can Ride: Riders may use designated bike lanes on public streets when available or public sidewalks – except for sidewalks in DC's Central Business District. Operating e-scooters on CBD sidewalks is prohibited, but they may be ridden in bike lanes if accessible.
Safety Rules:
- Must obey all traffic signs, signals, and applicable rules of the road
- Yield to pedestrians
- Keep two hands on handlebars
- No passengers allowed
- Cannot wear headphones unless it's a hearing aid or one-ear device
Parking Regulations: Riders must lock electric scooters to bike racks, in-street corrals, parking signposts, or stop signs.