Are Electric Scooters Legal in South Carolina?

South Carolina has no statewide legislation that specifically addresses electric scooters. Because electric scooters are not explicitly categorized as motor vehicles, they do not trigger the state's licensing mandates, meaning individuals without a driver's license may legally operate an electric scooter unless a local ordinance states otherwise. South Carolina does not have a statewide law mandating helmets or other safety equipment for electric scooter riders, though some cities, such as Charleston and Columbia, require helmet use for riders under 18, particularly for those using scooter-sharing services. E-scooter riders are mainly subject to local regulations, as individual cities in South Carolina have stepped in to fill the regulatory void, each establishing their own rules regarding age requirements, helmet use, where scooters may be ridden, speed limits, and parking. Note that South Carolina does have separate regulations for mopeds, which require registration, a class D, G, or M driver's license, and helmets for riders under 21, but these requirements do not apply to stand-up electric scooters.