Leva

Japan scraps driving license for e-scooters

693 days ago

3 minutes

The Japanese parliament has enacted a law as a result of which, a license for users of electric scooters will no longer be required, although minors aged under 16 will still be banned from riding them.

The new regulations for electric scooters with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour are part of amendments to the road traffic law passed by the House of Representatives.

Electric scooters have been attracting a growing number of users in Japan.

The scooters, which must be used with a helmet, will now be classified under a newly created category for designated motorized bicycles. Users can in principle use vehicle and bicycle lanes and will also be allowed to go on on pavements on condition they keep the speed at up to 6 kph.

Under the previous system, the scooters were classified as motorcycles, for which driving licenses were required.

Traffic tickets will be issued or fines imposed for those who violate the ban against riders aged under 16 as well as for those who provide such vehicles to underage users.

Regulations pertaining to electric scooters will take effect within two years;

Japan’s parliament on Tuesday enacted a law that will no longer require a license for users of electric scooters, although minors aged under 16 will still be banned from riding them.

The new regulations for electric scooters with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour are part of amendments to the road traffic law passed by the House of Representatives.

The amendments also include new rules for “Level 4” automated mobility services such as driverless buses which the government plans to permit within designated areas.

Electric scooters, which are popular in Europe, have been attracting a growing number of users in Japan. They resemble skateboards equipped with handles and must be ridden with a helmet.

The scooters will now be classified under a newly created category for designated motorized bicycles. Users can in principle run on vehicle and bicycle lanes and will also be allowed to run on sidewalks so long as they keep the speed at up to 6 kph.

Under the previous system, the scooters were classified as motorcycles, for which licenses were required.

Traffic tickets will be issued or fines imposed for those who violate the ban against riders aged under 16 as well as for those who provide such vehicles to underage users.

Regulations pertaining to electric scooters will take effect within two years.

Photo by Agathe Marty on Unsplash
Annick Roetynck

Annick is the Manager of LEVA-EU, with decades of experience in two-wheeled and light electric mobility.

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