E-scooters have been whizzing through the streets since the end of June. Retailers of the electric scooter from escootersdirect.ie educate their buyers on the regulations of the new vehicle.
The police catch many drunk scooter drivers. They leave the car behind because they don’t want to risk their driver’s license. Wrongly thought: with e-scooters, the alcohol limit applies as with a car. The driver’s license is often lost. Here we summarize the rules for electric scooters.
Better air with e-scooters?
Electric scooters are widespread in many major European cities. Tourists like to drive through the city with their little companions. In some places, such as Paris, there is resistance among the population. Anyone planning to buy an e-scooter should make sure that the vehicle meets the applicable requirements.
E-scooters and alcohol – Alcohol limits apply
Many users of e-scooters believe that you can also drive with it if you have drunk a little. The Munich police caught more than 700 drunk drivers in the first eight weeks after approval of the scooters, many with over 1.1 per mille. E-scooters are motor vehicles because of their motor. The same alcohol limits apply as for cars. From 0.5 per mille, the fine is 500 euros, two points, and a month’s license withdrawal. From 1.1 per mille, there is a criminal offense.
If there are alcohol-typical failures, this applies even from around 0.3 per mille. The limit is higher for cyclists. Punishable drunkenness is only present from 1.6 per mille The same limit applies to electric bikes, where the motor only runs when you pedal. But in the case of alcohol-typical failures, cyclists are threatened with criminal proceedings even for values below this.
Zero alcohol for beginners, even on a scooter
There is an absolute ban on alcohol for beginners during the trial period and for drivers under the age of 21. Violations cost a fine of 250 euros. There is a point about this. Then an advanced seminar is held and the trial period is extended to four years.
Switch to public transport
The federal government is hoping for some of the little speedsters: it hopes that many citizens will first be encouraged to buy and then switch to public transport. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) hopes that the switch to electric scooters in combination with public transport can make a lasting contribution, especially in city centers.