Electric Scooters

Question

Randy asked: I have a Huffy Buzz battery powered scooter. It has a top speed of 11mph. I was stopped by an Orange County sheriff today and he said the only place I can drive it is my driveway.

I am seeing lots of info here about ebikes, scooters, etc, but nothing seems definitive for me. It has no pedals, so that may make a difference. Can I ride this on sidewalks, streets, bike lanes or just in my driveway?

Answer

Motor vehicles operated on the roadway must be registered with the DMV.  The bike lane is part of the roadway.  Your vehicle is considered a motor vehicle by the statute concerning registration, but does not meet the requirements for a type of vehicle that may be registered.

s. 322.01Definitions

(27) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle, including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and motorized bicycles as defined in s. 316.003.

Additionally, your scooter would likely be considered a “toy vehicle, or similar device” and may not be used in the roadway.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(11) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk; and, when so crossing, such person shall be granted all rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.

You may not operate your electric scooter under motor power on the sidewalk, sidewalk area or bike path.

s. 316.1995Driving upon Sidewalk or Bicycle Path

(1) ….  a person may not drive any vehicle other than by human power upon a bicycle path, sidewalk, or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

The officer is correct, except that you may also operate your scooter on other private property in addition to your driveway. You would need permission if you don’t own the property.

9 Comments on “Electric Scooters

  1. David,
    I’m not sure what a power assisted wheel chair scooter is, but if it doesn’t fall in the exclusions in the definition of “motor vehicle” in the drivers’ license section of the statutes, a license is required.
    s. 322.03 – Drivers must be licensed; penalties
    (1) Except as otherwise authorized in this chapter, a person may not drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless such person has a valid driver license issued under this chapter.
    s. 322.01 – Definitions
    (27) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle …. excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and motorized bicycles ….

  2. So basically you need to register your electric scooter that is able to be human Powered and pedaled with electronic assist must be registered with dmv, does it require insurance???

    • Under Fl. law, a scooter has no seat. A bicycle has a seat. Any electric bicycle that cannot exceed 20 miles per hour or can be human powered is allowed on sidewalks except in some cities where bicycle lanes are available and roads. NO registration required. Lights and reflectors at night. Pedals are not mentioned in the law because some bicycles do not have pedals, they have hand cranks, also kicking a two wheeled vehicle is human power. 316.003 Definitions.- (3) BICYCLE.—Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. (A person under the age of 16 may not operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle)

  3. I ask about e-bikes anb E-scooters… Do they have to be registered with the dmv? What about the insurance laws? Can it be covered under a home insurance policy?

  4. I have an Eletric scooter motorized too it looks like a big wheel chair I can ride on side walk or on bike lane only but mainly sidewalk with no problems

  5. Vehicles that can only move at certain speeds got different paved flat surfaces and markings for desired travel to obey traffic .

Leave a Reply to Ken Cancel reply