Electric scooter lighting: Required lights, reflectors, and good choices
An electric scooter must have a front position light, a rear position light, and reflective devices (catadioptres). This is the minimum requirement set by the decree of June 24, 2020. At night, the rider must also wear a reflective vest or other reflective gear. Beyond the legal requirements, the original lighting on many electric scooters primarily serves to make the rider visible, rather than to allow them to see. This guide outlines the legal obligations and then discusses what makes lighting truly useful and reliable.
The essentials
- Required equipment on the vehicle: front and rear position lights, rear and side reflectors (the side reflectors can be replaced with reflective tires).
- It is mandatory for the rider to wear a reflective vest or other reflective gear at night or in conditions of poor visibility; otherwise, a fine of €35 will be issued.
- On roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h where scooters are permitted: headlights must be on at all times, additional lighting is required, and a helmet and reflective vest are mandatory.
- Optional equipment: additional lights, brake light, turn signals, personal lighting, provided that they do not cause glare.
- The quality of a lighting system is also judged by its reliability: the connectors, cables, and waterproofing.
What the law requires
On the vehicle
According to the French Road Safety Agency and service-public.fr, all electric scooters that operate on public roads must be equipped with:
- de front and rear position lights (order of June 24, 2020);
- of reflective devices: at the rear and on the sides, according to service-public.fr; at the front, rear, and sides, according to the Road Safety brochure. Side reflective devices are not required if the tires have them
- of a braking system and a sound signaling device, which are governed by other regulations but are part of the same basic equipment.
Regarding the rider:
At night, or during the day when visibility is poor, the rider must wear a high-visibility vest or reflective clothing, including in urban areas. The fine is €35 (2nd class). They may also wear additional lighting that is non-dazzling and non-flashing.
On the roads, reaching speeds of 80 km/h
When a road outside of urban areas, with a speed limit of 80 km/h, is locally opened to scooters, the road safety brochure requires a helmet, a reflective vest, additional non-blinding and non-flashing lights, and position lights to be switched on at all times.
What's additionally allowed:
Service-public.fr lists as optional: an additional front and rear position light, a rear brake light, and turn signals. These equipment items can also be worn by the rider.
To be seen, and to see
A position light serves to indicate your presence. It does not illuminate the road. However, on a poorly lit bike path, the danger often comes from the ground: potholes, curbs, slippery patches. At 25 km/h, you cover approximately 7 meters per second; a pothole spotted too late can cause a small-diameter wheel to stop abruptly.
To ride safely at night, you need two things:
- `Be visible: turn on your position lights, ensure your reflectors are clean, wear a reflective vest or clothing, and use your brake light if you have one;`
- see: a headlight that actually illuminates the road in front of you, directed downwards to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
Properly adjusting a headlight is crucial
A headlight that is too high will blind other road users and poorly illuminate the ground nearby; one that is too low will only illuminate a few meters. Adjust it while the vehicle is stationary, facing a wall, so that the top of the beam remains below the eye level of a cyclist approaching from the front. If your headlight is mounted on the steering column, make sure it doesn't rotate due to vibrations.
Reliable lighting: the workshop's opinion
When lighting fails, the problem often lies not in the lights themselves, but rather in the components that connect to them
- Pinched or worn cables in the steering column or at the bends. Each bend also stresses the wires. A protective and guiding sheath, like our braided cable sheaths, limits wear.
- Corroded connectors after rain or washing. Our guide on electric scooter waterproofing explains how to protect the electronics.
- Improvised additions: Connecting a headlight directly to the main battery, without proper protection, can damage the headlight or drain the battery. Any added lighting should be powered by the correct voltage and be properly protected.
If you add lights, do it properly, using protected cables and waterproof connections. Our workshop in Lyon can take care of this as part of a mounting package.
And what about on a track?
On a track, lights no longer serve as road traffic signals, and the competition rules may require them to be removed or covered. This is another reason to separate the machines: a road-legal scooter with proper lighting and compliance, versus a track machine designed only for track use. See our guide on preparing a scooter for track use.
Workshop tip
Before every nighttime ride, take a quick look at your machine: check the front light, rear light, brake light (if applicable), and make sure the reflectors are clean. It only takes ten seconds. Also, keep a reflective vest folded under the deck or in your bag: it's mandatory at night, and it's what makes you visible from a distance in a car's headlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lights are mandatory on an electric scooter?
It features a front and rear position light, along with reflectors. The brake light and turn signals are optional.
Are side reflectors mandatory if I already have lights?
Yes, unless your tires have reflective strips, which would replace the need for them.
Can I install a flashing taillight at the rear?
The supplementary lighting that a rider can use must be non-flashing and non-dazzling. For lights mounted on the vehicle, please check the specifications set forth in the decree of June 24, 2020, available on Légifrance.
Is a reflective vest mandatory if my scooter has adequate lighting?
Yes: At night or in conditions of poor visibility, a reflective vest or other reflective equipment is mandatory in addition to the vehicle's lights.
My lights turn off when I turn the handlebars: what should I check?
Most often, the problem is a pinched or damaged cable in the steering column or at a bend, or a corroded connector. Have the cable routing inspected.