Over the past few years, electric scooters have taken over the streets of our cities, establishing themselves as the preferred mode of transport to avoid traffic jams and reduce carbon footprints. However, what many users do not know is that these machines are not mere toys, but motorized land vehicles subject to strict regulations under French law. Whether you are a daily commuter, an occasional user of rental services (such as Lime or Dott), or a foreign resident discovering French rules, failing to comply with the legislation can expose you to heavy fines and major financial risks in the event of an accident. Here is the complete guide from AvocatAI to riding legally and in perfect safety.
---
In French law, the electric scooter belongs to the category of Engins de Déplacement Personnel Motorisés (EDPM) (Motorized Personal Transport Devices). This category was officially introduced into the Code de la route (French Highway Code) by the decree of October 23, 2019.
Unlike traditional bicycles, EDPMs are subject to specific rules governing their speed, equipment, and the lanes on which they are allowed to travel. The Code de la route defines them as vehicles without seating, designed for the travel of a single person, equipped with a non-thermal engine, and with a maximum design speed of more than 6 km/h and not exceeding 25 km/h.
---
The circulation of electric scooters is strictly regulated to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians. Failure to comply with these rules is heavily penalized.
According to Article R. 412-43-1 of the Code de la route, traffic rules vary depending on whether you are inside or outside built-up areas:
Since the decree of August 31, 2023, the conditions for accessing EDPMs have been tightened:
To be allowed on public roads, your electric scooter must be equipped with safety devices that comply with current standards:
For the rider, obligations differ depending on the conditions:
---
This is undoubtedly the point most often overlooked by users: third-party liability insurance is mandatory to ride an electric scooter.
Under Article L. 324-1 of the Code de la route and Article L. 211-1 of the Code des assurances (French Insurance Code), an electric scooter is a véhicule terrestre à moteur (VTM - motorized land vehicle). As such, it is subject to the mandatory "automobile" third-party liability insurance requirement.
This specific insurance covers physical injury and property damage that you might cause to third parties (pedestrians, cyclists, other motorists) during an accident.
> Warning: Your standard Responsabilité Civile "Vie Privée" (personal liability insurance, usually included in your home insurance contract) does not cover damage caused while riding a motorized land vehicle. You must take out a specific insurance policy for your scooter, often called "EDPM insurance" or "NVEI insurance" (Nouveaux Véhicules Électriques Individuels - New Individual Electric Vehicles).
Riding without insurance is a criminal offense in French law. The financial and legal penalties are extremely severe:
---
If you own or have just purchased an electric scooter, here is the step-by-step procedure to ride legally in France:
1. Verify the Technical Compliance of the Device: Confirm with the seller that the scooter is limited by construction to 25 km/h and that it carries the "CE" mark. Ask for the certificate of conformity.
2. Take Out a Specific EDPM Insurance Policy: Contact your current insurer or a specialized broker. Rates generally start around 5 € per month for the minimum third-party liability coverage. You will receive a carte verte (insurance certificate) and an insurance sticker (papillon vert).
3. Affix the Insurance Sticker to the Vehicle: Although the requirement for a physical green card on cars was abolished in 2024, the display obligation remains in force for EDPMs. You must stick the green sticker in a visible place on the front fork or the mudguard of the scooter.
4. Equip Yourself with Safety Accessories: Buy an approved helmet, a retro-reflective vest complying with the EN 1150 or EN ISO 20471 standard, and ensure that the lights and bell are working before every departure.
---
To better understand the scope of these rules, here are two concrete situations a user might face.
Thomas, 22 years old, is riding on a pavement in Paris at 18 km/h on his own uninsured electric scooter. He collides with Mrs. Martin, a 72-year-old pedestrian. Mrs. Martin falls heavily: she suffers a fractured femoral neck resulting in hospitalization and temporary incapacity for work lasting several months.
Lucas buys an electric scooter on a foreign website. The machine is capable of traveling at 45 km/h. Lucas decides not to limit its speed to "save time" on his daily commute. During a roadside police check:
---
---
Yes. Shared-fleet operators are required to take out third-party liability insurance for all their vehicles. This insurance is automatically included in the price of your rental. However, read the terms of use carefully: in the event of seriously faulty behavior (drunk driving, carrying a passenger), the operator's insurer can turn against you to obtain reimbursement of the compensation paid to third parties.
No, registration is not mandatory for EDPMs whose speed is limited to 25 km/h. On the other hand, if you own a road-approved machine that can exceed 25 km/h (which then falls into the moped category), you must obtain a carte grise (registration certificate) and display a license plate. Note that these machines are no longer considered EDPMs and cannot be ridden on cycle paths.
In built-up areas, wearing a helmet is not legally mandatory for electric scooter riders over 14 years old (the legal minimum age). However, it is highly recommended. Outside built-up areas, on roads authorized by derogation, helmets are strictly mandatory for everyone, regardless of age.
As with a car accident, you must stop immediately and render assistance if necessary. Fill out a constat amiable (joint accident report form) with the injured pedestrian or the person whose property was damaged. Note the contact details of any witnesses. Declare the accident to your EDPM insurer within a maximum of 5 working days.
---
Legal information for guidance only, not personalised legal advice. For your specific situation, ask your question free of charge on AvocatAI — answers based on French law, in your language.