The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020

Amendment of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 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— (a)is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts; (b)is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle; (c)has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel; (d)is designed to carry no more than one person; (e)has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kgs; (f)has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour; (g)has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel; (h)has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and (i)has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position; “local public authority” means— (a)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 (b)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— (a)an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the 1988 Act; or (b)an arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters.”. (1)