POLICE have warned it is illegal to ride an electric scooter in a public place.

The warning comes after police issues final warnings to two males after they were riding electric scooters in Southview Road, Weymouth. The men were warned if they are found using e-scooters in a public place again, the scooter could be seized, and they may be reported for road traffic offences.

While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it is currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK.

This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres or promenades.

The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.

This is because e-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so they are treated as motor vehicles.

As such, if they are used on a road, pavement or public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle.

Using a ‘motor vehicle’ on a road or other public place without insurance will result in six penalty points, as well as a £300 fine and seizure of vehicle.