E-Scooter Riders In Malta Will Need A Driver’s License And Insurance
People who use electronic scooters in Malta will need to have a valid driving license and insurance policy to use the alternative mode of transportation.
E-scooters have exploded in Malta, offering commuters with an accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation for short trips all at the cost of a few hundred euros.
However, today Transport Minister Ian Borg announced that the government is launching a public consultation document to regulate the industry, as well as encourage it.
What’s being proposed?
Should the proposals come to fruition, riders will be banned from using arterial roads, tunnels, and underpasses, and could face a €500 fine if they do so.
They will also be expected to follow standard traffic rules. Driving against the flow of traffic will only be allowed on certain roads.
Riders will be limited to a maximum speed of 10km/h on promenades and in pedestrian zones; and a 20km/h limit on roads. Over-speeding will be subject to fines and penalty points.
A helmet will not be mandatory but will be recommended.
Transport Malta will issue licenses and registrations. One-Time registration will cost €11.65, while the license will cost €25 per annum.
Commercial operators of sharing schemes will be subject to a €200 annual fee and €25 fee per scooter.
What’s the situation like around the rest of Europe?
The use of electric scooters in public is permitted and face little to no regulation in many European countries, such as Germany, France, Portugal, Austria, Spain and Switzerland, to name a few.
Most regulations in these countries mostly deal with parking issues. However, Germany and France are looking to regulate the sector further.
Laws in the UK and Ireland ban them from pavements and roads – the only place they can be ridden is on private land, with the permission of the landowner.
A speed limit for the vehicles has been introduced in Belgium, where they can be ridden by anyone aged 18 or over, essentially following the same laws applied to cyclists.
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