Minimum age for an electric scooter: 14 years old, and regulations for young people

In France, you must be at least 14 years old to ride an electric scooter on public roads. This age was previously 12 years old until August 31, 2023. Decree No. 2023-848 raised the age to 14, amending Article R412-43-3 of the Highway Code. This rule applies to all motorized personal mobility devices, including electric scooters, single-wheeled vehicles, gyroscopic platforms, and hoverboards. This guide explains what this means for young people, their parents, rentals, insurance, and private property.

What the law says

Decree No. 2023-848, dated August 31, 2023, published in the Official Journal on September 1, 2023, and taking effect on the same day, implemented two measures from the national plan to better regulate electric scooters:

• The minimum age for operating an electric personal mobility device (EDPM) has been raised from 12 to 14 years old
• Carrying a passenger and riding on a prohibited road have now become offenses classified as Category 4 violations.

The Road Safety Agency, service-public.fr, and the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) all reiterate the same rule: operating an Electric Personal Mobility Device (EDPM) is prohibited for anyone under the age of 14.

Between the ages of 14 and 18: The same rules apply as for adults

A 14-year-old riding an electric scooter is a road user just like any other. They must:

• Riding a vehicle whose maximum speed, by design, does not exceed 25 km/h;
• Use the designated bike lane whenever available; otherwise, use a road with a speed limit of 50 km/h in urban areas. Never ride on the sidewalk without the mayor's permission
• Riding alone, without headphones or a phone in hand;
• Wear a reflective vest or other reflective gear at night
• Obey traffic lights, stop signs, and right-of-way rules.

The fines are the same. Our guide EDPM and Highway Code provides detailed information about them.

Transporting a friend

This is the most common offense among young people: riding a scooter with two people. It is prohibited, costs €135, and is dangerous: the vehicle is not designed to handle the weight or the balance of two people standing, and the brakes are not designed for that load.

Rental and self-service options

The road safety brochure clearly states that in some cities, there is a minimum age requirement for renting electric scooters. Operators often set their own age restrictions in their terms and conditions. Therefore, a 14-year-old might be allowed to ride a privately owned electric scooter but not be eligible to rent one.

Insurance for young drivers

Liability insurance is mandatory for the vehicle, regardless of whether the driver is a minor or an adult, and it is the owner who must obtain the insurance. Homeowners' insurance for parents does not cover accidents caused by electric personal mobility devices (EPMDs), as reminded by the Road Safety Agency. When signing the contract, declare that the regular driver is a minor: some contracts exclude or restrict this situation. See our guide on electric scooter insurance.

And what about individuals under the age of 14?

On public roads, it is prohibited. On a private, closed-off area where traffic is not allowed, the Highway Code does not regulate the use of these vehicles, but parents remain fully responsible in the event of an accident, and the vehicle must be appropriate for the child. Furthermore, the seller must indicate the minimum age for using each vehicle, as reminded by the DGCCRF (French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). Please respect this age limit, as it takes into account the vehicle's speed, weight, and braking capabilities.

For a child who wants to experience riding, vehicles designed for their age and supervised environments, such as riding schools and clubs, are better introductions than an adult-sized scooter. Electric pit bikes, sized appropriately for the child and used within a club setting, offer another approach.

Powerful machines are not suitable for young riders

The scooters we prepare often weigh several tens of kilograms and far exceed 25 km/h. They cannot be used on public roads, regardless of the rider's age, and require real riding experience. In competition, the federation's regulations determine the age and licensing requirements; please inquire with them directly. Our E'trott Racing page presents the championship, and our guide on unlocked scooters explains why these machines remain on the track.

Here's what might change:

Several bills have been proposed in the National Assembly to tighten regulations. For example, proposal No. 1398, registered on May 13, 2025, proposes to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from riding electric personal mobility devices (EDPMs), with an exception for those aged 14-16 if the device is limited to 15 km/h, and to make helmets mandatory. These regulations do not apply until they are adopted and published. Please check the current regulations on service-public.fr or Legifrance.