8 Important E-Scooter Laws You Should Know in California

Electric scooters are motorized devices with two wheels, handlebars and a floorboard that you stand on to ride.

You can operate an e-scooter with any class of driver’s license in California. You do not need to register the device with the DMV. Also, you can only ride the scooter up to 15 MPH and on a bicycle path, trail, or bikeway – but not on a sidewalk.

There are eight important traffic laws that apply to electric scooters in California. They require electric scooter (“E-scooter”) riders to:

• 1. Wear a helmet if under 18 years old,
• 2. Ride at a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour,
• 3. Use bike lanes where available,
• 4. Ride off the sidewalk with a valid driver’s license,
• 5. Dismount and walk for left turns,
• 6. Abide by crosswalk regulations,
• 7. Follow all the rules that apply to motor vehicles, and
• 8. Ride without passengers.

1. Minors Must Wear Helmets (CVC § 21235(c))

California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 21235 requires riders under 18 to use a bicycle helmet while on an E-scooter. The helmet must fit properly and be fastened.

Adults can ride E-scooters without wearing a helmet. E-scooter companies like Lime, Bird, and Spin recommend only riding with a helmet. Riding without one is often done at your own risk.

Violating CVC § 21235 can lead to a ticket of around $200. The vast majority of E-scooter tickets had been for not wearing a helmet before it was made legal for adults in 2019.¹

In my experience, helmet issues often become much more important after an accident than before one. Even when wearing a helmet is not legally required, insurance companies sometimes argue that failing to wear one contributed to certain injuries. I advise riders that choosing to wear a helmet can help protect both their health and, in some cases, their injury claim.

2. Maximum Speed Is 15 MPH (CVC § 22411)

CVC § 22411 is the state law that puts a 15 miles-per-hour speed limit on E-scooters. Going over this speed limit can result in a traffic stop and a ticket of up to $250.²

E-scooter sharing companies like Lime and Bird build their scooters to only go up to 15mph. However, fully accelerating and going downhill can make the scooter go faster.

I have found that speed is one of the first issues investigated after a scooter collision. Police reports, surveillance video, GPS data, and eyewitness testimony can all become evidence. Even when speed was not the primary cause of the crash, insurers often focus on it when evaluating liability.

California electric scooter laws prohibit riders from going faster than 15 mph.

3. Riders Must Use Bike Lanes (CVC § 21229 & 21235)

On roads with speed limits above 25 mph, riders generally must stay within a Class II or Class IV bikeway unless a local ordinance permits operation outside the bikeway on roads posted up to 35 mph. Even where that rule does not apply, riders generally should use bicycle lanes (also called bikeways, bike paths, or bicycle paths) when available unless one of the statutory exceptions applies.

Class II bicycle lanes are conventional painted bike lanes located on the roadway. They are typically separated from adjacent traffic by solid white lines and are usually marked with bicycle symbols and directional arrows. Class IV bicycle lanes (also called protected bikeways) include physical separation from motor vehicle traffic, such as curbs, bollards, planters, or parked cars. Both types of bikeways generally accommodate one-way travel unless otherwise posted.

The law allows for four exceptions to riding in a bike lane:

1. While passing another vehicle or pedestrian,
2. When completing a left-hand turn,
3. To avoid debris or other hazards in the bike lane, or
4. When turning right.³

In many of the scooter accident cases I have reviewed, disputes arise over whether the rider should have been in a bike lane or traffic lane. These questions often require careful analysis of the roadway layout, available bike facilities, and local ordinances rather than relying on assumptions made immediately after the crash.

4. Stay Off Sidewalks, And Have Your License (CVC § 21235)

In addition to requiring E-scooter riders to wear a helmet, CVC § 21235 forbids:

• Riding an E-scooter on the sidewalk, and
• Driving an E-scooter without having a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.⁴

California generally prohibits riding a motorized scooter on a sidewalk, except as necessary to enter or leave adjacent property to park the scooter or retrieve a parked scooter.

Violations are penalized with traffic tickets of around $200.

One misconception I hear frequently is that scooters can simply be treated like bicycles or skateboards. Many riders are surprised to learn that California requires a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit and generally prohibits riding on sidewalks. Understanding these rules before riding can prevent both citations and unnecessary complications after an accident.

5. Dismount And Walk For Left-Hand Turns (CVC § 21228)

CVC § 21228 is an especially onerous traffic rule for E-scooter riders. It requires you to turn left by:

• Stopping after the intersection on the right curb, and
• Dismounting, and
• Crossing the roadway on foot.⁵

These rules are meant to prevent scooter accidents.

Left-turn collisions are among the more dangerous scooter crashes I see. Because scooters are smaller and less visible than passenger vehicles, drivers sometimes fail to notice them while turning or changing lanes. Careful compliance with California’s left-turn rules can significantly reduce these risks.

6. Keep Off Crosswalk (CVC § 21235)

Because motorized scooters generally may not be ridden on sidewalks  under  CVC § 21235(g), riding one through a pedestrian crosswalk is ordinarily prohibited as well.⁶ Doing so can lead to a traffic ticket of around $200.

In my experience, crosswalk accidents often become complicated because each side may believe they had the right-of-way. I have seen many cases where witness statements, nearby surveillance cameras, and roadway markings ultimately made the difference in determining what actually happened.

7. E-Scooters Must Follow Traffic Rules (CVC § 21221)

CVC § 21221 is a kind of “catch-all” traffic law for E-scooters. It says that E-scooter drivers have all the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. The only exception is where those rights or responsibilities “by their very nature, can have no application.”⁷

This traffic provision makes specific mention of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drunk E-scootering can lead to a DUI charge as well as a traffic ticket of around $350.

Note that riders should also check their local laws for any specific rules and regulations.

I regularly remind clients that riding an electric scooter carries many of the same legal responsibilities as driving a car. Obeying traffic signals, yielding appropriately, and avoiding impaired riding not only reduces the risk of citations—it can also strengthen your position if you are later injured by another driver’s negligence.

8. No Passengers Allowed (CVC § 21235)

California law prohibits riding double (“tandem rides”) on electric scooters. Each E-scooter may only have one rider at a time.

Allowing passengers greatly reduces control and stability, increasing the risk of falls or collisions. It also makes the scooter heavier, putting more strain on the brakes.

Violating this rule typically leads to fines similar to those of a traffic citation.⁸

I have seen accidents become significantly more serious when two people attempt to ride a scooter designed for one. Beyond the traffic violation itself, carrying a passenger changes the scooter’s balance, braking distance, and handling characteristics, increasing the likelihood of losing control.

Passengers are not allowed on e-scooters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a DUI on an electric scooter in California?

Yes. California Vehicle Code § 21221 generally requires motorized scooter riders to follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicle drivers where applicable. California law generally subjects motorized scooter riders to the same DUI laws that apply to motorists. Riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in DUI charges depending on the circumstances

In my experience defending DUI cases, many people mistakenly believe scooters are treated like bicycles or toys. I regularly hear from clients who assumed they could safely use a rental scooter after leaving a restaurant or bar without realizing that impaired riding can carry serious criminal consequences.

Who is responsible if an electric scooter accident is caused by a road hazard?

Liability depends on what caused the crash. If a dangerous roadway condition, pothole, missing sign, or defective pavement contributed to the accident, a city, county, or other public entity may bear responsibility. If another driver caused the collision, that driver may be liable. Product manufacturers and scooter rental companies can also be held responsible in certain defect cases.⁹

In my experience handling injury cases, scooter accidents often involve more than one negligent party. I frequently investigate roadway maintenance records, surveillance footage, and scooter maintenance logs because multiple insurance policies may ultimately contribute to a client’s recovery.

Does insurance cover electric scooter accidents?

It depends on the policy and how the accident occurred. Automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, umbrella policies, and commercial insurance may all potentially apply depending on the facts. Some rental scooter companies maintain liability insurance or contractual protections that may kick in after an accident.

One thing I have learned from representing injured riders is that insurance coverage is often much more complicated than people expect. I have seen cases where an initially denied claim became recoverable after identifying additional insurance policies that were not obvious at the beginning of the case.

Can you sue Lime, Bird, Spin, or another scooter company after an accident?

Possibly. Scooter companies may be liable if a defective scooter, poor maintenance, malfunctioning brakes, throttle problems, or another dangerous defect contributed to the crash. They are not automatically responsible simply because one of their scooters was involved.

In my experience, these cases require quick action because rental companies often maintain electronic ride data and maintenance records that can become important evidence. I routinely advise injured riders to preserve screenshots, photographs, and ride receipts before that information disappears.

What should you do immediately after an electric scooter accident?

After obtaining medical care, you should report the accident, photograph the scene, preserve the scooter if possible, obtain witness information, and avoid repairing or discarding damaged equipment. If another vehicle was involved, exchange insurance information and request a copy of any police report.

One thing I consistently tell clients is that documentation often determines the strength of a case. Photos of roadway defects, damaged scooters, skid marks, and visible injuries taken immediately after the collision frequently become some of the most persuasive evidence later.

Are local California cities allowed to have additional electric scooter rules?

Yes. California’s Vehicle Code establishes statewide rules, but many cities regulate where rental scooters may be parked, where they may operate, designated slow-speed zones, and shared scooter programs through local ordinances. Cities also regulate fleet sizes, parking requirements, designated slow-speed zones, and where shared scooters may be deployed.

Riders should always check local regulations before using an electric scooter.

In my experience, people are often surprised to learn that conduct legal in one California city may result in a citation somewhere else. I remind clients that local ordinances can significantly affect both traffic tickets and accident liability.

Does violating an electric scooter law automatically make you at fault for an accident?

No. Violating a traffic law does not automatically determine civil liability. California generally applies comparative fault principles, meaning responsibility may be shared among multiple parties depending on the facts surrounding the collision.

In my experience, insurance companies often try to blame scooter riders simply because they received a citation. I have successfully handled cases where a rider’s traffic violation had little or no connection to why the collision actually occurred.

Are electric scooter injuries usually serious?

They can be. Even relatively low-speed crashes frequently result in broken bones, facial injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, wrist fractures, and significant road rash because riders have little physical protection.

From what I have seen representing injured clients, many people underestimate how severe scooter injuries can become. I have seen cases where what initially appeared to be a minor fall ultimately required surgery or months of rehabilitation.

Additional Resources

Consider these other transportation options in California:

• Greyhound, Megabus, and Flixbus – Bus stations throughout the state.
• Amtrak, Caltrain, Metrolink – Train routes throughout the state.
• Uber, Lyft – Ride-sharing throughout the state.
• RentaBikeNow – Bike rentals in major cities.
• Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, and National – Car rentals in major cities.

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