Electric Scooters: New Regulations
Read this if you own a Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV) or are planning to buy one. You’ll come out ahead
In accordance with the DGT Resolution and Royal Decree 970/2020, the new regulations require all personal mobility vehicles to have an official roadworthiness certificate guaranteeing compliance with European safety standards. These regulations also make it mandatory to take out third-party liability insurance to protect the user’s assets in the event of an accident or legal claim.
The landscape of our cities has changed dramatically with the emergence of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs). In light of this exponential growth, the legal framework is being updated to ensure public safety. From January, the introduction of mandatory requirements such as third-party liability insurance, a roadworthiness certificate and registration sets a new standard for safety and regulation for all users.
The legal framework: Royal Decree and the DGT Manual
The basis for this transformation lies in Royal Decree 970/2020, which amended the General Vehicle Regulations and the Highway Code. However, the definitive turning point is marked by the DGT’s Manual of Characteristics for Personal Mobility Vehicles. These regulations stipulate that all PMVs must have an official roadworthiness certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the technical safety requirements — such as the braking system, lighting and the speed limit of 25 km/h — whilst allowing a transition period for the full compliance of older models.
Legal certainty and civil liability
Legal certainty and Beyond technical certification, the new regulations aim to align with the Law on Civil Liability and Insurance in the Use of Motor Vehicles. By moving towards the requirement for compulsory insurance, the law ensures that personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) are no longer regarded as leisure items but are treated as vehicles subject to full legal liability. On the one hand, having legal backing in the event of potential incidents ensures that both the rider and any third parties involved can be certain of a clear legal response, avoiding legal uncertainty in the face of potential legal claims.Civil
By establishing clear identification rules based on the General Vehicle Regulations, a more predictable model of mobility is promoted.
However, bringing them into line with the regulations for motor vehicles will make e-scooters an easy target for potential fines. The disproportionate nature of some of these fines will prove a challenge, even for the industry itself. Anyone who was thinking of buying an electric scooter for convenience in city use, and to save money, will now think twice, as the cost of fines for driving, parking and any other offences covered by the DGT regulations could make the purchase of such a lightweight vehicle counterproductive, given that it will now come with a heavy burden of surveillance and control.
Do you need advice on the new transport regulations?
The transition to this new regulatory framework may raise questions about insurance policies and registration procedures. At our firm, we can help ensure that your personal mobility meets all current legal standards, at a price that’s well worth it. Contact us for a free initial video consultation.
