An Overview of Electric Scooter Laws in Utah
Using an electric scooter is a great way to be environmentally responsible while getting around the Salt Lake Valley. However, as with any other vehicle you need to obey the law. In Utah it is illegal to operate an electric scooter in certain circumstances. Additionally, you cannot ride an electric scooter without wearing a helmet under the new law which went into effect on April 23, 2019. The Utah Senate Bill 114 redefines electric-assisted scooters and explains in greater detail where and how you can legally ride an e-scooter. The bill states:
(3) (a) "Electric-assisted scooter" means a device that has:
(b) "Electric-assisted scooter" does not include:
- (4) "Footpath" means the portion of a road or street that is paved and that a member of the general public is permitted to use for pedestrian travel.
- (5) "Lane" means the portion of a roadway that a bicycle or electric-assisted scooter may lawfully use, except a shoulder, shoulder lane, or other right-of-way.
- (6) "Roadway" means the portion of a road or street that is improved, designated, maintained, or ordinarily used by motor vehicles for vehicular traffic.
- (7) "Shoulder" means a portion of the roadway that is contiguous with the roadway that is:
- (8) "Shoulder lane" means a painted line between a roadway lane and a shoulder that is either:
(a) (b) a line that is color differentiated from the roadway and shoulder and is designed to indicate that the area is not intended to be used by individuals traveling other than by motor vehicle or different than by bicycle or foot traffic .
(10) "Traffic lane" means a portion of a roadway that is used by a single motor vehicle. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-102)
In the past you could utilize the sidewalk, unless there was signage stating otherwise. Now, according to Utah law, you must use the lane although you can ride on the sidewalk. A key point in the above law is the designation of the shoulder. In the Utah state code the shoulder is very clearly and literally defined as only that portion of the roadway that is beside a lane. Therefore if the road in question does not have a designated shoulder then it can be inferred that you cannot ride your scooter in the arm of the road. For instance, the road to the Cottonwood Canyon needs improvement as there are plenty of areas where the road meets the mountain but there is no shoulder on the road. In this case the area on the side of the road is referred to as the embankment and you could possible be ticketed for riding an electric scooter on this portion of the road.
The good news is that the fine for using an electric scooter unlawfully is not nearly as bad as some other tickets in Utah. For example the fine for reckless driving carries a mandatory $300 fine and a possible license suspension. However, a few major cities have enacted their own regulations which make it illegal to use in other areas. For example, Salt Lake City passed their own codemaking it illegal to ride on the sidewalk around Temple square and on portions of Main Street. Check with your city and county offices to make sure you aren’t missing a municipal law when you hop on your favorite electric scooter.
Age Restrictions and Licensing
Electric scooters have become a popular form of transportation around the country, including in Utah. However, with their rise in popularity comes a need for clear guidelines on the rules surrounding their use. One of the most fundamental questions is: who can legally operate an electric scooter?
In Utah, you must be at least 16 years old to operate an electric scooter on public streets and sidewalks. Those under the age of 16 must wear a helmet, regardless of whether it is required by law. However, even if you meet the age requirement, a driver’s license is not necessary to use an electric scooter. In fact, you don’t even need to own the scooter you are riding. Electric scooters can be rented through various app-based services, drawing in users from young teenagers to retirees.
Before operating an electric scooter, however, it is important to ensure that your electronic vehicle is up to the state’s safety standards. This includes having a working headlight and taillight that are visible from at least 500 feet in darkness. If you operate a scooter with substandard lights, you may be pulled over and fined. Riders are also responsible for affixing registration stickers to the scooters they use.
The rules surrounding electric scooters in Utah are designed to keep you safe. In addition to lights, you’ll also want to be mindful of other safety elements. You aren’t required to wear a helmet unless you are under 16, but wearing one is strongly advised. Many rental shops will even provide helmets free of charge. You’ll also want to ensure that your scooter is easily navigable through traffic. Even though you do not need a license to operate a scooter, Utah Department of Motor Vehicles guidelines state you should be comfortable driving a motor scooter or motorcycle before setting out on an electric scooter.
If you are over the age of 16 and have the safety equipment in place, you’re ready to hit the road. Electric scooters can be a great way to make an already dangerous commute safer. Should you have any questions about navigating the laws surrounding electric scooter use in Utah, the skilled attorneys at Hurst & Hurst are here to help.
Where You Can Use Electric Scooters
Electric scooters in the state of Utah are allowed to ride in a number of different locations, but operators must respect a number of restrictions on where and how they can be used. While electric scooter riders may operate them in most of the areas where they could ride a traditional bicycle, there are some key differences in where electric scooters are allowed to be used.
First and foremost, electric scooters must not operate on pedestrian-only pathways or sidewalks. This is to prevent injury to bystanders who may not expect to see scooters in these places. Motorized scooters may not travel more than 15 miles per hour, and must abide by local and state laws. In Utah, electric scooters are allowed to ride along roadways and in bike lanes, as long as they do not exceed the 15-mile-per-hour speed limit. Operators must also be careful to yield the right-of-way to other traffic and avoid operating in hazardous weather conditions or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Speed Restrictions for Electric Scooters
The statutory speed limit for most public roadways within Utah is 25 miles per hour. Riders are expected to always operate an electric scooter at or below the 25 mile per hour speed limit. Electric scooters will provide the rider with a speedometer showing speed. Riders of scooters in Utah must also comply with the regulations applicable to any other motorist when it comes to the speed of their vehicles. Such regulations may include speed limits, and rule prohibiting the operation of vehicles at unsafe speeds. Even if the speed limit is greater than 25 miles per hour, riders are often required to slow down for the presence of pedestrians on public roadways (Sidewalks) and roads with mixed traffic (mixed between vehicles and pedestrians) such as in parking facilities. All concerning areas to ride at higher speeds are emphasized by the operator of a scooter in Utah. Nevertheless, an operator of an electric scooter must never exceed 25 miles per hour on a public roadway in Utah, unless a lower speed is required.
Helmet and Protective Gear Requirements
For many riders, wearing a helmet is a no-brainer, however, Utah law does not require helmets on e-scooters. A valid Utah driver’s license or permit can be presented as proof of "operator competency" to avoid the additional safety gear requirements listed below. In addition to providing proof of operator competency, all riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet that is vision and hearing compatible. Riders 16 and older have the option of wearing a helmet, but it is not mandatory. While current Utah law does not require many riders to wear protective safety gear while riding an electric scooter, some companies do require that riders wear a helmet. Riders who are not required to wear helmets by Utah law or a company’s individual safety policy should still strongly consider wearing a helmet. In addition, Utah law does require riders to wear protective eyewear, and companies may require riders to wear eye protection as well. If you are injured in an electric scooter accident, and were not wearing a helmet, glass, or goggles – and not required to wear them under the law – you will not be denied a fair recovery for your injuries and damages, but your compensation could be reduced under Utah’s comparative negligence rule if a judge or jury find that your failure to wear a helmet or goggles contributed to your injuries.
Scooter Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
The law in Utah is quite specific about the requirements necessary for the proper maintenance and inspection of electric scooters. If you use one of these scooters you will want to know that if someone is driving a scooter on the road and the scooter is defective where it creates dangerous conditions to other drivers and people on the road it creates liability for the scooter driver for any injuries experienced by others.
The scooter must have brakes that can be used to stop the scooter safely . The law in Utah also expects the scooter to have the following equipment: lights that are visible both from the front and back, as well as reflectors and mirrors. Also, the driver of the scooter may not permit themselves to ride a scooter without the proper helmet. It does not matter what the rider’s age is – the helmet is required, period.
As for insurance, a scooter is not the same thing as a motor vehicle in Utah, so it is not required to have proof of financial responsibility.
Fines and Penalties for Violation
Violations of Utah’s rules for motorized scooters can have serious legal repercussions. For example, the law is very clear that a rider must possess a license in order to use a scooter in Utah. Police will often cite individuals who are riding their scooters without a license. As mentioned in the "License Requirement" section, a license should be either a motorcycle or ATV endorsement.
A Class C misdemeanor charge may result from not stopping a motor scooter at all traffic lights and stops or at a red signal. A conviction could result in a fine of up to $500 or 90 days in jail, or both.
It’s important to note that in Salt Lake City, violations of Utah’s scooter code carry specific fines. For example, if a motor scooter is parked illegally, there’s a $25 fine. If you ride a motor scooter without an operational brake, the fine is $100. Riding without a working light or horn carries a $200 fine. Riding while a passenger is not useing a helmet costs $350.
Finally, common sense should dictate your behavior when riding a scooter in Utah. Reckless driving is a crime, whether you’re on a scooter or in a car. Any careless, dangerous behavior is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Recent Changes to Utah’s Electric Scooter Laws
For the most part, Utah’s scooter regulations have remained consistent over the years. However, a few minor updates have been made to the laws. In 2020, House Bill 95 was passed, requiring all electric scooters to have headlights, tail lights, reflectors, and bells or horns. HB 199 passed in the same bill, raising the maximum speed limit for electric scooters from twenty to thirty-five miles per hour on certain controlled-access highways, like I-15. The state legislature has also considered banning the use of electric scooters in cities like Ogden and Salt Lake City, but these bills have yet to pass. Those opposed to the ban claim they are safe and effective ways to get around, while proponents worry about pedestrian accidents. Beyond that, it is important to keep an eye on your local laws. For example, though the legal age to operate an electric scooter in Utah is sixteen, some cities, like Park City, have age requirements of eighteen.
Conclusion: Scooter With Care
While this article has emphasized the laws that apply to electric scooters, we understand that ridesharing scooters often attract inexperienced, younger riders. For that reason, in addition to breaking down the legal landscape, we also provide some basic safety tips to ensure that the scooters remain a safe and fun method of transportation.
First and foremost, make sure that you only ride the scooters on the bike lane or bike path – not on sidewalks. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, so if you are on them, you are both in the wrong place and endangering yourself and others.
That leads us to our next two points: when riding the scooters, either alone or with a friend, keep a safe distance from other bikes and pedestrians . And always be aware of your surroundings – don’t get distracted looking at your phone while riding.
It should go without saying, but never ride the scooters while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You wouldn’t get behind the wheel of a car under those circumstances, and the scooters can be just as dangerous. And if you don’t wear a helmet to work or play, put one on before you hop on a scooter.
Above all, heed the most important safety rule of all and common sense: the scooters are a blast to ride. Use your best judgment, be mindful of others, obey the laws and rules designed to keep people safe, and you will have an awesome time.