Electric Scooter Laws by State: Complete 2026 Guide (All 50 States)

Electric scooters are legal in 48 US states as of 2026. In most states, you don't need a license for scooters under 750W and 20 mph. Only 6 states require a driver's license, and just 3 states require helmets for all riders. Pennsylvania effectively bans e-scooters on public roads (though legalization is pending). Below is our complete 50-state breakdown with every detail you need to ride legally.

In This Guide

• Are Electric Scooters Legal?
• Electric Scooter Laws by State: Complete 50-State Table
• States That Require a License for Electric Scooters
• Helmet Laws for Electric Scooters by State
• Where Can You Ride an Electric Scooter?
• New Electric Scooter Laws in 2025-2026
• Frequently Asked Questions

Are Electric Scooters Legal?

Yes, electric scooters are legal in nearly every US state. As of 2026, 48 out of 50 states have either passed specific e-scooter legislation or classify them under existing motorized vehicle or bicycle laws that permit their use on public roads, bike lanes, or both. The only true holdout is Pennsylvania, which still classifies e-scooters as motor vehicles but doesn't provide a path for registration or titling — effectively banning them from public roads. Delaware has heavy restrictions that limit practical use in most areas.

The legal landscape has evolved rapidly. In 2018, only a handful of states had any laws addressing electric scooters. Today, most states have defined e-scooters as a distinct vehicle category, separate from motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles. This matters because it means lower regulatory burdens: no license plates, no registration, no insurance requirements in the vast majority of jurisdictions.

Here are the key numbers you should know:

• 48 states where e-scooters are legal to ride
• 6 states that require some form of driver's license or permit
• 3 states that require helmets for all riders regardless of age
• ~17 states that explicitly ban riding on sidewalks
• 20 mph is the most common maximum speed limit
• 16 years old is the most common minimum age requirement

For a city-by-city breakdown with interactive maps, check out our interactive map and city-by-city database of 300+ locations. The table below covers every state's laws at a glance.

Electric Scooter Laws by State: Complete 50-State Table

This table summarizes the current electric scooter laws for all 50 US states as of early 2026. Keep in mind that local municipalities can impose additional rules — always check your city's specific ordinances before riding. Where a cell says "Varies," it means the state defers to local governments or has no explicit statewide rule.

State	Legal?	License Required?	Helmet Required?	Max Speed	Sidewalk Riding?	Min Age
Alabama	Yes	No	No	15 mph	Varies	None
Alaska	Yes	No	No	Varies	Varies	None
Arizona	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Varies	16
Arkansas	Yes	No	Under 21	20 mph	No	16
California	Yes	Yes (license/permit)	Under 18	15 mph	No	16
Colorado	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Varies	16
Connecticut	Yes	No	Under 18	20 mph	No	16
Delaware	Restricted	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	N/A
Florida	Yes	No	Under 16	Varies	Yes	16
Georgia	Yes	No	Under 16	20 mph	No	15
Hawaii	Yes	No	Under 16	Varies	Varies	15
Idaho	Gray area	No	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Illinois	Yes	No	No	15 mph	Varies	None
Indiana	Yes	No	No	20 mph	No	15
Iowa	Yes	No	No	Varies	Yes	None
Kansas	Yes	Yes	No	20 mph	No	16
Kentucky	Yes	No	Varies	Varies	Varies	None
Louisiana	Yes	Yes	Under 17	Varies	Yes	None
Maine	Yes	Yes	Under 18	20 mph	Varies	16
Maryland	Yes	No	Under 18	20 mph	No	16
Massachusetts	Yes	Yes	Under 18	20 mph	Varies	16
Michigan	Yes	No	Under 19	25 mph	Varies	12
Minnesota	Yes	No	Under 18	15 mph	No	12
Mississippi	Varies	No	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Missouri	Yes	Yes	No	Varies	Varies	16
Montana	Yes	No	No	Varies	No	None
Nebraska	Yes	No	No	20 mph	No	16
Nevada	Yes	No	Under 18	20 mph	Varies	16
New Hampshire	Yes	No	Under 16	20 mph	No	16
New Jersey	Yes	No	Encouraged	19 mph	No	16
New Mexico	Yes	No	Yes (all riders)	15 mph	No	18
New York	Yes	No	Under 18	15-20 mph	Varies	16
North Carolina	Yes	No	No	15 mph	Varies	16
North Dakota	Yes	No	Under 18	20 mph	Varies	14
Ohio	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Varies	16
Oklahoma	Yes	No	Under 18 (OKC)	15 mph	Varies	16
Oregon	Yes	No	Yes (all riders)	15 mph	No	16
Pennsylvania	No (pending)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rhode Island	Yes	No	Under 16	20 mph	No	16
South Carolina	Varies	No	No	Varies	Varies	None
South Dakota	Yes	No	Under 18	15 mph	Yes	14
Tennessee	Yes	No	Under 18	20 mph	Varies	16
Texas	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Yes	16
Utah	Yes	No	No	15 mph	Varies	15
Vermont	Yes	No	Yes (all riders)	20 mph	No	16
Virginia	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Yes	14
Washington	Yes	No	No	15 mph	No	16
West Virginia	Yes	No	Under 15	20 mph	No	15
Wisconsin	Yes	No	No	20 mph	Varies	16
Wyoming	Yes	No	No	Varies	Varies	None

A note on "Varies" entries: Several states — including Idaho, Mississippi, and South Carolina — have not passed dedicated e-scooter legislation. In these states, local municipalities set their own rules, and enforcement can differ dramatically from one city to the next. If you live in a "Varies" state, check with your city's transportation department before riding.

States That Require a License for Electric Scooters

One of the most common questions riders ask is: do you need a license for an electric scooter? In 44 out of 50 states, the answer is no. You can hop on and ride without any driver's license, permit, or special endorsement. However, 6 states do require some form of license or permit to operate an e-scooter on public roads.

California

California requires riders to hold a valid driver's license or instruction permit. This is one of the strictest requirements in the country, applying to all e-scooter riders regardless of the scooter's speed or power. California also sets a minimum age of 16 and caps speed at 15 mph. Sidewalk riding is prohibited statewide. While California was one of the first states to legalize e-scooters (AB 2989 in 2018), it kept the license requirement as a safety measure following several high-profile accidents in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Kansas

Kansas requires a valid driver's license for e-scooter operation. The state defines e-scooters as "electric-assisted scooters" and caps their speed at 20 mph. Riders must stay off sidewalks and ride in bike lanes or on the road. There is no statewide helmet requirement, but riders must be at least 16 years old.

Louisiana

Louisiana requires a valid driver's license to ride an e-scooter. The state also requires helmets for riders under 17 and permits sidewalk riding in most areas. Louisiana's rules are notably more permissive for shared scooter services like Lime and Bird, which operate under separate municipal agreements in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Maine

Maine requires riders to hold a valid driver's license and be at least 16 years old. The state caps e-scooter speed at 20 mph and requires helmets for riders under 18. Sidewalk riding is allowed in some municipalities but not others — Portland and Bangor, for example, have different rules. Maine passed its e-scooter legislation in 2022, making it one of the more recent states to formally address the issue.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires a valid driver's license or learner's permit. The state legalized e-scooters in 2021 after years of operating in a gray area. Riders must be 16 or older, helmets are required for riders under 18, and the speed limit is 20 mph. Boston has additional local regulations governing where shared scooters can be parked and operated.

Missouri

Missouri requires a valid driver's license for e-scooter use on public roads. The state does not have a statewide helmet requirement but sets the minimum age at 16. Speed limits vary by municipality. Kansas City and St. Louis have their own scooter ordinances that overlay the state rules, including designated parking zones and geofenced speed reductions in busy areas.

If you live in one of these 6 states, make sure you carry your license while riding. In the other 44 states, you're free to ride without one — though carrying identification is always a good idea in case of an accident or traffic stop.

Helmet Laws for Electric Scooters by State

Helmet laws for electric scooters break down into three categories: states that require helmets for all riders, states that require helmets for younger riders only, and states with no helmet requirement at all.

States Requiring Helmets for All Riders

Only 3 states require every e-scooter rider — regardless of age — to wear a helmet:

1. New Mexico — All riders must wear a helmet. Minimum age is 18, and the speed limit is 15 mph. New Mexico has some of the strictest e-scooter safety regulations in the country.
2. Oregon — All riders must wear a helmet. The state caps speed at 15 mph and prohibits sidewalk riding. Portland has been particularly aggressive about enforcement since 2024, issuing fines of $50 to riders caught without helmets.
3. Vermont — All riders must wear a helmet. Vermont caps speed at 20 mph and bans sidewalk riding. The state treats e-scooter helmet violations the same as bicycle helmet violations, with fines starting at $25.

States Requiring Helmets for Minors

The majority of states with helmet laws only require them for riders under a certain age. Here's the breakdown by age threshold:

Age Threshold	States
Under 21	Arkansas
Under 19	Michigan
Under 18	California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma (OKC), South Dakota, Tennessee
Under 17	Louisiana
Under 16	Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia (under 15)

States With No Helmet Requirement

Many states — including Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington — have no statewide e-scooter helmet requirement at all. In these states, wearing a helmet is recommended but not legally mandated. However, individual cities may still have local helmet ordinances, so check your municipality's rules.

Regardless of what your state requires, we strongly recommend wearing a helmet every time you ride. Head injuries account for a disproportionate share of serious e-scooter injuries, and even a basic certified helmet can dramatically reduce your risk.

Where Can You Ride an Electric Scooter?

Understanding where you can legally ride is just as important as knowing whether your state allows e-scooters. The three main riding environments — sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads — are regulated differently across the country.

Sidewalk Riding

Sidewalk riding is the most divisive issue in e-scooter regulation. About 17 states explicitly ban riding on sidewalks, including California, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, and New Jersey. These states require you to ride in bike lanes or on the road.

Roughly 12 states explicitly allow sidewalk riding, including Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. In these states, riders may use sidewalks but must yield to pedestrians and often must reduce speed.

The remaining states either leave the decision to local municipalities or have no explicit rule. In "Varies" states, your city council has the final say. For example, in Colorado, Denver bans sidewalk riding while smaller towns may allow it.

Bike Lanes

Bike lanes are the preferred riding location in almost every state that has addressed e-scooter regulation. Where dedicated bike lanes exist, e-scooter riders are generally expected — and often required — to use them instead of the main roadway. States like California, New York, and Oregon specifically direct e-scooter riders to bike lanes where available.

Protected bike lanes (those separated from traffic by a physical barrier) are the safest option for e-scooter riders. If your city has them, use them. In cities without bike lane infrastructure, most states permit riding on the right side of the road with traffic.

Roads and Streets

In most states, e-scooters are allowed on roads with speed limits of 25 to 35 mph. Some states restrict e-scooters to roads with speed limits of 25 mph or lower (California, for example). Virtually no states allow e-scooters on highways, freeways, or roads with speed limits above 45 mph.

When riding on roads, you're typically required to ride as far to the right as practicable, use hand signals for turns, and obey all traffic signs and signals. Most states treat e-scooter riders the same as bicyclists for the purpose of traffic law.

Where You Cannot Ride

Across all states, the following areas are almost universally off-limits for e-scooters:

• Highways and interstates — Banned in every state
• Roads with speed limits above 45 mph — Banned in most states
• Pedestrian-only zones — Shopping malls, boardwalks, plazas (varies by city)
• Parks and nature trails — Many cities prohibit motorized vehicles on park paths
• Private property — Unless the property owner permits it

New Electric Scooter Laws in 2025-2026

E-scooter legislation continues to evolve rapidly. Here are the most significant legislative changes and proposals from 2025 into early 2026:

Pennsylvania: Abby's Law

Pennsylvania remains the only state where e-scooters are effectively illegal on public roads. That may change soon. In September 2025, legislators introduced Abby's Law (SB 1008 / HB 2040), named after a young rider injured while riding in a legal gray zone. The bill would formally legalize e-scooters, define them as a separate vehicle class, and set rules for speed limits, age requirements, and sidewalk use. The bill has bipartisan support and is expected to move through committee in 2026. If it passes, Pennsylvania would join the other 49 states in permitting e-scooter use.

New York: Priscilla's Law

Priscilla's Law is a proposed bill in New York that would require registration and license plates for e-scooters operated in New York City. The bill was introduced following a series of pedestrian-scooter collisions in Manhattan and Brooklyn. If passed, it would make NYC one of the first jurisdictions in the country to require e-scooter registration. The bill is controversial — proponents argue it will improve accountability, while opponents worry it will discourage ridership and burden low-income commuters who rely on e-scooters.

Nevada (Las Vegas): Tiered Fine System

Las Vegas implemented a new tiered fine structure for e-scooter violations in late 2025. First offenses cost $150, second offenses $300, and third or subsequent offenses $600. The city also reduced the speed limit in parks to 15 mph and banned e-scooters entirely on Fremont Street (the pedestrian-heavy entertainment district). These changes came after a surge in scooter-related complaints from tourists and residents in the downtown area.

California: Insurance and GPS Speed Limits

California is considering new bills that would require liability insurance for all e-scooter riders and mandate GPS-based speed limiting in school zones. If passed, scooter-share companies would need to build geofenced speed reduction into their fleets near schools, and private riders could face insurance requirements similar to those for moped operators. These proposals are still in the early stages but reflect California's ongoing push to tighten e-scooter safety regulations.

Texas and New York: Low-Cost Insurance Pilots

Both Texas and New York have launched low-cost liability insurance pilot programs for e-scooter riders. Policies cost between $25 and $40 per year and cover third-party bodily injury and property damage. These are voluntary programs, not mandates, but they signal a broader trend toward insurance integration in the e-scooter space. If the pilots prove successful, other states may follow with similar offerings.

Oregon (Portland): Mandatory Bike-Rack Locking

Portland, Oregon introduced a new rule requiring all parked e-scooters to be locked to a bike rack when not in use. This applies to both personal and shared scooters. The goal is to reduce sidewalk clutter from improperly parked scooters, which had become a major complaint among pedestrians and disability advocates. Violators face $75 fines.

These legislative changes reflect a maturing regulatory landscape. As e-scooters become a permanent part of urban transportation, expect continued refinement of laws around safety, insurance, parking, and accountability. We'll update this guide as new laws are enacted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license for an electric scooter?

In most of the United States, no. Only 6 states require a driver's license or permit to operate an electric scooter: California, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, and Missouri. In the other 44 states, you can ride without any license at all. Even in the 6 states that require one, a standard driver's license or learner's permit is sufficient — no motorcycle endorsement or special e-scooter license is needed. If you're unsure, check the 50-state table above for your specific state.

Are electric scooters legal on sidewalks?

It depends on your state and city. About 17 states explicitly ban sidewalk riding, including California, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Maryland, and Georgia. Roughly 12 states allow it, including Florida, Texas, Virginia, Iowa, and Louisiana. The remaining states leave the decision to local governments. Even in states that allow sidewalk riding, you're almost always required to yield to pedestrians and keep your speed reasonable. When in doubt, ride in the bike lane — it's the safest and most universally accepted option.

Can you get a DUI on an electric scooter?

Yes, you can get a DUI (or DWI) on an electric scooter in most states. E-scooters are classified as vehicles under DUI statutes in the majority of jurisdictions. Florida treats an e-scooter DUI identically to a car DUI, with the same penalties including license suspension, fines, and potential jail time. California has somewhat reduced penalties for e-scooter DUI compared to motor vehicle DUI but can still result in misdemeanor charges. Wisconsin is the notable exception — it does not classify e-scooters as motor vehicles for DUI purposes. Bottom line: never ride an e-scooter while intoxicated. The legal and physical risks aren't worth it.

Do you need insurance for an electric scooter?

In almost every state, no. Electric scooter insurance is not required by law in 48 states. The only partial exceptions are Illinois, which has limited state-level insurance references for motorized devices, and Texas, which requires insurance for e-scooters over 750W (which covers very few consumer scooters). Texas and New York are also running voluntary low-cost insurance pilot programs at $25-$40 per year. While insurance isn't required, it can be a smart investment — many homeowner's and renter's insurance policies don't cover e-scooter accidents, and medical bills from a collision can be substantial.

What happens if you get caught riding an electric scooter illegally?

Penalties vary widely by state and the nature of the violation. For minor infractions like riding on a sidewalk where prohibited or riding without a helmet in a mandatory-helmet state, most riders receive a verbal warning or a fine ranging from $50 to $250. Repeat offenders may face steeper fines. More serious violations — like reckless riding, riding under the influence, or causing an accident — can result in Class 1 Misdemeanor charges, which may carry fines of $500 or more and, in extreme cases, short jail sentences. In Pennsylvania, where e-scooters are essentially banned, riding on public roads could result in your scooter being impounded. Las Vegas recently implemented a tiered fine system: $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $600 for a third.

Are electric scooters street legal in all 50 states?

Almost, but not quite. Electric scooters are street legal in 48 out of 50 states. Pennsylvania is the only state that effectively bans them on public roads — e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles but can't be registered or titled, creating a legal dead end. Legalization is pending via Abby's Law. Delaware has heavy restrictions that limit practical use. Additionally, Idaho, Mississippi, and South Carolina operate in gray areas where state law doesn't specifically address e-scooters, leaving regulation to cities and counties. In these states, legality depends on your specific municipality.

At what age can you ride an electric scooter?

The most common minimum age across all states is 16 years old, which applies in the majority of states with defined age requirements. However, the range is wide. Michigan and Minnesota set the bar lowest at 12 years old. North Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia allow riders as young as 14. New Mexico has the highest minimum age at 18. Several states — including Alabama, Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, and Wyoming — have no minimum age requirement at all, meaning children of any age can technically ride (though parental supervision is strongly recommended). Check the 50-state table above for your state's specific age requirement.

What is the speed limit for electric scooters?

The most common maximum speed limit is 20 mph, which is the standard in the majority of states that have set a specific cap. Several states — including California, Illinois, Minnesota, Alabama, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, and Utah — set a lower limit of 15 mph. Michigan has one of the highest limits at 25 mph. New Jersey sets an unusual limit of 19 mph. Some states, including Alaska, Kentucky, Wyoming, and Montana, don't have an explicit statewide speed limit for e-scooters, leaving it to local jurisdictions. Keep in mind that cities can set lower speed limits than the state maximum — many downtown areas and parks enforce 10-15 mph limits regardless of state law. If you're looking for a scooter that stays within legal limits across all states, browse Levy electric scooters — all of our models are designed to comply with the most common speed regulations.