Why riding an e-scooter could cost you a £2,500 fine or even prison time

E-SCOOTER users have been warned about little-known road laws that could cost them up to £2,500 in fines and even prison time.

With warmer weather fast approaching, people are now more likely to hop on their e-scooters to get from one point to another, but most riders are still unsure when it comes to the legality of these two-wheeled machines.

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A study by Currys looked at some of the laws users of e-scooters could be breaking.

Despite their rising popularity, privately owned e-scooters in the UK are actually banned from public roads and pavements.

Most police officers will tell riders to get off and walk with their scooters if they choose to stop you – and the offence carries a Fixed Penalty Notice and a possible £50 fine.

However, there are areas where e-scooter rentals are being trialled and can be legally driven on the public road – although there are rules in place.

These include meeting the minimum age limit, having a correct licence and setting up an account with the rental company.

Riders could face a £100 fine and three to six penalty points if caught without the correct licence.

While it is an offence to use your phone while operating a car, it’s the same when riding an e-scooter -and you risk receiving a £200 fine and six penalty points if the police catch you.

As an e-scooter is powered by a motor, riding under the influence of alcohol is treated in the same way as a drink driving offence.

And you might be subject to a driving ban, a fine of up to £2,500, and possibly three months in jail if the police discovered you operating an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol.

Riders also run the risk of having their electric scooter seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act if they use it in public and in an antisocial manner.

This comes after millions of motorists, who are prone to seasonal cold or hay fever symptoms, are at an increased risk of heavy fines from this weekend.

Plus, a driver was left fuming after he was fined £50 by the council for a common parking act that most people have done.