Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of bringing e-step scooters into L-Category regulation on the (a) quality and (b) safety of e-step scooter vehicle design.

Currently, e-scooters are considered motor vehicles in law. This means private e-scooters can only be used on public land if they comply with the legal requirements for motor vehicles and motorcycles, including the relevant type approval, Construction and Use and user requirements such as training, licensing and helmet wearing.

The Government is currently considering options for future e-scooter regulations, including such things as the requirement for users to hold a driving licence or to register and insure the vehicle, and various technical specifications for vehicles including maximum speed limits. No decisions have been made, and we will consult on any new regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have a chance to shape the new regime.

The e-scooter trials, recently extended by a further two years to May 2026, also continue to have significant value as a source of evidence as we move toward a new regime.

The Department will conduct an impact assessment before regulations, including on training, are brought into force.