1.—(1) This Part of this instrument may be cited—
(a)as the Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020; and
(b)together with Part 2, as the Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 4th July 2020.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), these Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
(4) Regulation 5 applies in relation to England only.
2.—(1) The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002(1) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 4 (electrically assisted pedal cycles and pedestrian controlled vehicles)—
(a)in the heading, after “pedal cycles” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)after paragraph (2) insert—
“(2A) With the exception of regulation 33(1) and (1A), nothing in the following provisions of these Regulations applies to an electric scooter being used in a trial.”; and
(c)in paragraph (3)—
(i)after sub-paragraph (a) omit “and”; and
(ii)at the end of sub-paragraph (b) insert—
“; and
(c)“electric scooter” and “trial” have the meanings given in regulation 33(1A)”.
(3) In regulation 33 (nil licences)—
(a)in paragraph (1), after “3,” insert “20G, in so far as it applies to an electric scooter being used in a trial,”;
(b)after paragraph (1) insert—
“(1A) In, and in relation to, paragraph (1)—
“electric scooter” means a vehicle which—
is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts;
is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle;
has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel;
is designed to carry no more than one person;
has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kgs;
has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;
has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel;
has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and
has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position;
“local public authority” means—
in England and Wales, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 2 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000(2); and
in Scotland, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 3 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002(3); and
“trial” means an assessment as to the suitability of electric scooters for use on roads conducted by virtue of—
an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the 1988 Act; or
an arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters.”.
3.—(1) The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998(4) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 4 (protective headgear)—
(a)in paragraph (1) for “paragraph (2)” substitute “paragraphs (2) and (2A)”;
(b)after paragraph (2) insert—
“(2A) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any person driving an electric scooter being used in a trial.”;
(c)in paragraph (3)—
(i)before the definition of “motor bicycle”, insert—
““electric scooter” means a motor bicycle which—
is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts;
is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle;
has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel;
is designed to carry no more than one person;
has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kilograms;
has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;
has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel;
has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and
has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position;
“local public authority” means—
in England and Wales, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 2 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and
in Scotland, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 3 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002;”;
(ii)after the definition of “protective headgear”, omit “and”; and
(iii)at the end of the definition of “strap”, insert—
“; and
“trial” means an assessment as to the suitability of electric scooters for use on roads conducted by virtue of—
an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; or
an arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters”.
4.—(1) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999(5) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 3 (interpretation)—
(a)after the definition of “dual purpose vehicle”, insert—
““electric scooter” means a category Q vehicle which—
is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts;
is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle;
has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel;
is designed to carry no more than one person;
has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kilograms;
has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;
has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel;
has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and
has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position;”;
(b)after the definition of “large vehicle theory test pass certificate”, insert—
““local public authority” means—
in England and Wales, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 2 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and
in Scotland, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 3 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002;”; and
(c)after the definition of “training load package”, insert—
““trial” means an assessment as to the suitability of electric scooters for use on roads conducted by virtue of—
an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the Traffic Act; or
an arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters;”.
(3) In regulation 5 (classes for which licences may be granted)—
(a)in paragraph (5), for “A licence” substitute “Subject to paragraph (5A), a licence”; and
(b)after paragraph (5), insert—
“(5A) A provisional licence may be granted for a class included in category AM, A or B which includes authorisation to drive an electric scooter being used in a trial.”.
(4) In regulation 6 (competence to drive classes of vehicle: general)—
(a)after paragraph (2A), insert—
“(2B) Where a person holds a relevant provisional licence, the holder is authorised to drive an electric scooter being used in a trial.”; and
(b)after paragraph (3), insert—
“(4) In this regulation, “relevant provisional licence” means a provisional licence granted under Part III of the Traffic Act, a full Northern Ireland licence or a Community licence.”.
(5) In regulation 16 (conditions attached to provisional licences), after paragraph (4), insert—
“(4A) When the holder of the provisional licence is driving an electric scooter being used in a trial the condition specified in paragraph 2(b) shall not apply.”.
(6) In regulation 19 (full licences and provisional entitlement), in paragraph (4), after “category Q vehicle” insert “other than an electric scooter being used in a trial”.
(7) In regulation 43 (entitlement upon passing a test other than an appropriate driving test), in paragraph (5)—
(a)after sub-paragraph (a)(ii)(bb), omit “or”; and
(b)at the end of sub-paragraph (a)(iii)(bb) insert—
“; or
(iv)the vehicles in category Q are electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(8) In Schedule 2, in Part 1 (categories and sub-categories of vehicle for licensing purposes), in column 2 of the table—
(a)opposite the reference to category AM, listed in column (1), after “Mopeds” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)opposite the reference to category A, listed in column (1), after “Motor bicycles” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(c)opposite the reference to category A1, listed in column (1), for “and A1 motor tricycles” substitute “, A1 motor tricycles and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(d)opposite the reference to category A2, listed in column (1), after “motorcycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(e)opposite the reference to category A3, listed in column (1), for “and A3 motor tricycles” substitute “, A3 motor tricycles and electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(f)opposite the reference to category B, listed in column (1), after “category Q,” insert “which are not electric scooters being used in a trial”.
5.—(1) The Traffic Signs Regulations 2016(6) have effect in England subject to the amendments in the following provisions of this regulation.
(2) In Schedule 1 (definitions), in the table—
(a)in the meaning of “cycle lane”—
(i)after “reserved for”, insert “electric scooters being used in a trial and”;
(ii)after “other than”, in both places where it occurs, insert “electric scooters being used in a trial and”; and
(iii)after “clear of”, insert “such electric scooters and”;
(b)below the term “dual carriageway road” insert a new row as follows—
(i)in column (1), insert the term ““electric scooter””; and
(ii)in column (2), insert the meaning—
“a motor vehicle which—
is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts;
is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle;
has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel;
is designed to carry no more than one person;
has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kilograms;
has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;
has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel;
has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and
has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position;”;
(c)below the term “local bus” insert a new row as follows—
(i)in column (1) insert the term ““local public authority””; and
(ii)in column (2) insert the meaning—
“in England, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 2 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, other than in paragraphs 7(b) and 33 of that list;”;
(d)in the meaning of “parallel crossing”—
(i)in paragraph (a), after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(ii)in paragraph (b)(iii), after “crossing for” insert “drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial and”;
(e)in the meaning of “pedestrian and cycle zone”—
(i)in paragraph (a), after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(ii)in paragraph (b), after “except” insert “electric scooters being used in a trial and”;
(f)in the meaning of “refuge for pedestrians and cyclists”—
(i)after “other than” insert “electric scooters being used in a trial and”; and
(ii)after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of such electric scooters”;
(g)in the meaning of “Toucan crossing”, in paragraph (a), after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(h)below the term “tramcar” insert a new row as follows—
(i)in column (1) insert the term ““trial””; and
(ii)in column (2) insert the meaning—
“an assessment as to the suitability of electric scooters for use on roads conducted by virtue of—
an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; or
an arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters”.
(3) In Schedule 3, in Part 2 (circular signs and supplementary plates including regulatory requirements), in column (2) (description) of the table—
(a)at items 21, 28 and 32, after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial,”;
(b)at items 29, 33 and 39, after “pedal cycles” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(c)at items 30 and 31, after “pedal cycles,” insert “electric scooters being used in a trial,”; and
(d)at item 38, after “buses” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(4) In Schedule 9, in Part 4 (other regulatory signs), in column (2) (description) of the table, at items 7 and 12, after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(5) In Schedule 9, in Part 6 (regulatory road markings), in column (2) (description) of the table—
(a)at items 7 and 8, after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(b)at item 9 after “Cyclists” and at item 10, after “cyclists”, insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(6) In Schedule 9, in Part 7 (the significance of particular signs in Schedule 9)—
(a)in paragraph 7(d)—
(i)after “cyclist”, in the first place where it occurs, insert “, or driver of an electric scooter being used in a trial,”; and
(ii)after “cyclist”, in the second place, insert “or driver”;
(b)in the heading preceding paragraph 8, after “Cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(c)in paragraph 8, after “cycle” insert “or electric scooter being used in a trial”;
(d)in paragraph 9—
(i)after sub-paragraph (4)(c), insert—
“(ca)to an electric scooter being used in a trial;”; and
(ii)in sub-paragraph (5)(f), after “cycle” insert “, or electric scooter being used in a trial,”;
(e)in paragraph 12—
(i)in sub-paragraph (2), after “pedal cycle” insert “or an electric scooter being used in a trial”; and
(ii)in sub-paragraph (3), after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(7) In Schedule 11, in Part 2 (upright signs) in column (2) (description) of the table—
(a)at item 29, after “cyclists” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)at items 36, 39, 41, 42 and 44, after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(c)at item 46, after “cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(8) In Schedule 11, in Part 4 (road markings) in column (2) (description) of the table, at items 2, 3, 31 and 32, after “cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(9) In Schedule 12, in Part 2 (sign background for directional signs etc.), in column (2) (description) of the table, at item 8, after “cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(10) In Schedule 12, in Part 9 (destination panels that may appear on plates in Part 2), in column (2) (description) of the table, at item 7 after “pedal cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(11) In Schedule 12, in Part 11 (general symbols that may appear on plates in Part 2), in column (2) (description) of the table, at item 3 after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(12) In Schedule 12, in Part 20 (warning and regulatory symbols that may be incorporated on directional signs), in column (2) (description) of the table—
(a)at item 18, for “cycle crossing” substitute “crossing for cycles and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)at items 36 and 42, after “pedal cycles” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(c)at item 41, after “buses” insert “, electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(13) In Schedule 12, in Part 28 (other directional signs), in column (2) (description) of the table, at item 20, after “cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(14) In Schedule 13, in Part 9 (other temporary signs), in paragraphs 8(1)(b), 9(1)(a) and 13(2)(a), after “cyclists” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(15) In Schedule 14, in Part 1 (provisions applying to signs in Parts 2 and 3)—
(a)in paragraph 5(8)(c) and (13), after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)in paragraphs 9(3) and (4) and 10(1), after “cyclist traffic” insert “or drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(c)in paragraphs 14 and 23, after sub-paragraph (2)(a)—
(i)omit “or”; and
(ii)insert—
“(aa)an electric scooter that is being used in a trial; or”;
(d)in paragraphs 21(1)(b) and 22(1)—
(i)after “pedestrian” insert “, driver of an electric scooter being used in a trial”; and
(ii)after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(e)in the heading preceding paragraph 27, after “cyclists” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(f)in paragraph 27(2), after “cyclists” insert “or drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(g)in paragraph 30, after sub-paragraph (2)(b)(i)—
(i)omit “or”; and
(ii)insert—
“(ia)an electric scooter being used in a trial; or”.
(16) In Schedule 14, in Part 2 (light signals, signs and road markings for the control of traffic) in column (2) (description) of the table—
(a)at items 3, 4, 48, 49 and 50, after “pedal cycles” insert “and electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(b)at item 12, after “equestrian” insert “electric scooter”;
(c)at items 19, 20, 21 and 22, after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(d)at items 53 and 54, after “pedestrian” insert “, electric scooter”;
(e)at item 55(c), after “cyclists”, in both places where it occurs, insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(f)at item 55(e), after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”;
(g)at item 57(a) and (b), after “pedal cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(17) In Schedule 14, in Part 2, in column (4) (variants)—
(a)at items 51, 52 and 53, in paragraph 7, after “cyclists” insert “and drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”; and
(b)at item 53, in paragraphs (5) and (6), after “pedestrians” insert “, drivers of electric scooters being used in a trial”.
(18) In Schedule 14, in Part 5 (movement at section 25 crossings) in paragraph 4, after sub-paragraph (1)(a)—
(a)omit “or”; and
(b)insert—
“(aa)an electric scooter being used in a trial; or”.
S.I. 2002/2742, amended by S.I. 2003/2154; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
2000 c. 36; paragraph (14) was amended by the Fire and Rescue Act 2004 (c. 21), Schedule 1, paragraph (95); paragraph (14A) and (20) were added by the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), Schedule 1, Part 2, paragraph (81) and Schedule 2, Part 2, paragraph (108); paragraph (19) was amended by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36), Schedule 2, Part 1, paragraph 10(3)(d); paragraph (19A) and (19B) were amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), Schedule 6, paragraph (94); paragraph (23) was amended by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), Schedule 1, Part 2, paragraph (20) and S.I. 2007/3136; paragraph (28) was amended by the Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), Schedule 4, Part 4, paragraph 64(2); paragraph (28A) was added by the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), Schedule 5, paragraph (16); paragraph (33A) was added by the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 anaw. 4, Schedule 1, Part 2, paragraph (5); paragraph (35B) was added by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), Schedule 14, paragraph (19); paragraph (35C) was added by 2010/937; paragraph (35E) was added by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), Part 5, chapter 1, s.189(4); there are other amendments to this Schedule, but none is relevant.
2002 asp 13; paragraph (23) was amended by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 asp 16 (Scottish Act), Schedule 6, paragraph (10) (asp 13); paragraph (24A) was amended by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 asp 12 (Scottish Act), Schedule 1, paragraph (20).
S.I. 1999/2864, amended by 2012/977.
Part 1 of S.I. 2016/362, amended by 2017/1086.