Electric scooters: what does French law say in 2026?
25 km/h, and no more. Above that, the vehicle is for private use only — and riding it derestricted on public roads can cost you a 1 500 € fine. Here are the seven rules that apply, explained the way we would at the counter.
The essentials: the 7 rules
Seven rules are enough to ride with peace of mind. They apply to all motorised personal transporters (EDPM in French law), whatever the model or brand.
| Rule | What the law says | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 25 km/h on public roads, limited by design. | Above that, the vehicle is for private use only. |
| Minimum age | 14 years old. | Carrying a passenger is forbidden. |
| Insurance | Third-party liability is compulsory. | Expect 5 to 15 €/month for a dedicated policy. |
| Where to ride | Cycle tracks and lanes first, otherwise the road. | No pavements, unless a municipal by-law allows it and the scooter is walked. |
| At night | Retro-reflective gear compulsory. | Also in poor visibility. |
| Equipment | Front and rear lights, brakes, horn, reflectors. | A helmet is strongly recommended in town. |
| Derestriction | Forbidden on public roads. | A fine, and the insurer may refuse any cover. |
Speed: 25 km/h, and no more
On public roads, the scooter must be limited by design to 25 km/h. Faster models exist and are legal to buy, but they are for private use only. Riding a vehicle that exceeds 25 km/h on the road exposes you to a fine of up to 1 500 €.
Minimum age: 14
You must be at least 14 years old to ride a scooter on public roads. Carrying a passenger is forbidden.
Insurance: compulsory
Like any motor vehicle, a scooter must be covered by third-party liability insurance. Riding without insurance carries heavy penalties. Expect 5 to 15 €/month for a dedicated policy.
Compulsory equipment
Front and rear lights, brakes, horn and reflectors. At night or in poor visibility, retro-reflective gear is compulsory. A helmet is strongly recommended in town — a general obligation has been under discussion since 2025.
Where to ride — and derestriction
Cycle tracks and lanes first; otherwise the road, limited to 50 km/h in town. No riding on pavements, unless a municipal by-law allows it, in which case the scooter must be walked.
Derestriction is forbidden on public roads: a fine, and above all the insurer may refuse any cover.
Each machine has its own status, and its product page says which: the Segway ZT3 is type-approved and limited to 25 km/h, ready for the road; the Rovoron R7 is for private land only; the Nami Super Stellar is delivered limited to 25 km/h for public roads.
These machines are mentioned above. The status shown is the one on their product page, checked when you open this page. Prices and availability taken from the catalogue. Payment in 3×, 4×, 10×, 12×, 24× with Cofidis, 4× interest-free from €100 to €3,000. Available at Vélo Shop Obernai — test ride possible in store (26 rue de Sélestat), pick-up without an appointment.The models we talk about
60V · 28Ah
Also ready for the road: the Segway Ninebot F3 Pro, type-approved, and the Nami Burn E3 Max and Nami Klima Max, delivered limited to 25 km/h for public roads. Compare them in our guide to the best scooters of 2026.
See all our scooters · Nami · Segway-Ninebot · Dualtron
Are you within the rules?
Slide to your scooter’s top speed.
A scooter within the rules? We take care of it.
All our scooters intended for the road are compliant and limited to 25 km/h. Our advisers guide you according to your use, at the Obernai workshop.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, like at the counter.
What is the maximum speed allowed?
25 km/h on public roads. Above that, the vehicle is not allowed on the road.
Do you need insurance?
Yes, third-party liability insurance is compulsory to ride on public roads.
From what age can you ride?
14 years minimum.
Can you ride on the pavement?
No, unless a municipal by-law allows it, in which case the scooter must be walked.
Is a helmet compulsory?
Recommended in built-up areas, compulsory outside built-up areas on the roads where scooters are allowed by exemption.
Is derestriction legal?
No. It’s forbidden on public roads and voids your insurance cover.
Information page written by Vélo Shop Obernai based on the rules in force in 2026. Given for guidance only: check the official texts (Service-Public.fr) for your situation. A question about your machine? Write to us or call +33 3 88 04 85 61.
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