A WARNING has been issued to those using e-scooters in the Weymouth and Portland area.

Because these electric scooters are classed in the same category as motor vehicles, they have the same legal requirements.

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A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We think it maybe useful to some residents to clarify the law as it stands around e-scooter use on the highway.

"While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it’s 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.

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

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Police said the penalty for using a ‘motor vehicle’ on a road or other public place without insurance is six penalty points, along with a £300 fine, and seizure of the vehicle.

If the driver has a licence they are issued with penalty points, a fine, and seizure of the vehicle.

Failing to comply with construction and use legislation can range from non-endorsable fixed penalty to being reported to court for using in a dangerous condition.

If a driver of the vehicle is impaired by alcohol or drugs, they will be disqualified, fined and given penalty points.

The spokesman added: "In summary, if you own one, you can't use in on the road or pavement. There are some rental schemes which enable users to ride on the road, but Weymouth and Portland doesn't have such a scheme at this time."