Guide
Why I won’t be buying an e-scooter with an inner tube
by Lorenz Keller
Electric scooters in Germany: What regulations apply to e-scooters?
22.5.2019
Translation: machine translated
"Legal, Illegal, I don't give a shit!" - This punk song applied to electric scooters in Germany for a long time. But the e-anarchy is coming to an end. The regulations for e-scooters have been in force since summer 2019.
Since 15 June 2019, you have been allowed to ride electric scooters on public roads in Germany. The new regulation on small electric vehicles has been in force since this date. Although e-scooters could already be sold before this date, strictly speaking they could only be used on private property.
If you bought an e-scooter before summer 2019, there is bad news. You will never be allowed to ride it legally on public roads in Germany. This applies even if the e-scooter fulfils all technical requirements. As not every e-scooter on sale in Germany is road-legal at the moment, this is the first point you need to pay attention to when making a purchase
.
Which electric scooters are permitted?
In order to legally ride an electric scooter on public roads in Germany, it must have an operating licence. The licence number and the maximum design speed must be indicated on the factory plate on the scooter. The models sold to date do not have a licence or plate and will not receive either at a later date.
In order for an e-scooter to receive an operating licence, it must meet the following requirements:
- Maximum speed 20 km/h
- Front and rear lights may be removable
- Two independent brakes
- Yellow reflectors on the side
- a bell, or a similar warning sound
- maximum 500 watts of power (1400 watts if 60 per cent is used for self-balancing)
- maximum width 70 cm, height 140 cm and length 200 cm
- maximum weight 55 kilograms
Where are e-scooters allowed to drive?
In terms of the law, electric scooters are more or less on a par with bicycles. This means they are not allowed to be ridden on the pavement. You should ride them on cycle paths, cycle lanes and cycle lanes. If these are not available, you must ride your e-scooter on the carriageway - even outside built-up areas.
If bicycles are allowed to ride against the direction of travel in a one-way street, this also applies to battery-powered scooters. On other "traffic areas", as it is so nicely called in officialese, riding an electric scooter can be permitted. In pedestrian zones and other places that are actually prohibited, the sign "small electric vehicles free" would then be displayed.
Who is allowed to ride an e-scooter?
You do not need a driving licence to ride an e-scooter. The only requirement is that you must be 14 years old. In other words, you can ride an electric scooter from the age of 14.
Where can I park my electric scooter?
The same regulations apply to parking electric scooters as for bicycles. This means you can also park your e-scooter on the pavement. But of course only in such a way that it does not block the path.
Is a helmet compulsory for e-scooters?
No, as with bicycles, there is no legal obligation to wear a helmet for electric scooters in Germany. However, as you are travelling on the road with them and the risk of accidents due to the small wheels is not negligible, the truism "helmets save lives" also applies here.
Is insurance compulsory?
Yes, the new small electric vehicles are not covered by private liability insurance. The first insurance companies have already put together suitable offers that cost around 40 euros a year, with younger users sometimes having to pay more. The existing insurance is indicated by a sticker on the electric scooter, which is reminiscent of a moped licence plate, but slightly smaller.
Carriage on buses and trains
There are no general regulations for travelling on public transport. If you want to take your electric scooter on buses or trains, you need to check the regulations of the respective transport association or transport company.
No permit for electric skateboards
The new regulation only applies to electric scooters with handlebars. This means that hoverboards and electric skateboards may still only be ridden officially on private property.
You can find the e-scooters with road approval in Germany here
here
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
