ID plates for e-scooters to put brakes on reckless and illegal riders

ELECTRIC scooter companies have been told to fit licence plates to the vehicles to make it easier to spot illegal riders and those causing accidents.

Guidelines for e-scooter operators are coming into force next month that will include prominently displaying an

ID number such as a plate. The rules are to be tightened amid a surge in ownership of private e-scooters despite the vehicles being illegal to ride on the road. Their increasing use has led to accidents, with 10 deaths last year and hundreds of injuries.

Unlike privately owned vehicles, those in scooter hire trials run by companies are legal in almost 60 towns and cities. Users can rent them out using a smartphone app and pay by the minute.

However, police have found it difficult to distinguish between the trials and private riders, meaning they do not crack down on illegal use.

The Department for Transport guidelines include displaying a “unique identification number”, similar to a car’s licence number, on a plate or prominently labelled on the scooter.

Scooter companies have also been asked to limit speeds for new riders, penalise those who park illegally, and provide basic safety training before people first ride on the vehicles.

“We know it is difficult for the police and the public to distinguish between private (illegal) e-scooters and those being used in rental trials,” the DfT said.

“This, in turn, has an impact on the monitoring and evaluation programme.”

The trials will last until December. The Government is considering legislating for more e-scooter hire schemes.

Some companies have already added plates to their vehicles. “We welcome the UK Government’s new guidance,” said Voi, which operates in 18 cities.

The Met Police, which seized more than 3,000 scooters last year, said in November it would no longer immediately take scooters from private riders, and would only target repeat offenders.