Are you planning on buying an electric scooter for Christmas?

The use of these scooters is always an emotive issue because many people have strong views on how they are used.

In East Lothian – and indeed across Scotland – we see children and adults using them, some on the road and some not.

Although there is always a healthy debate on how these can and should be used, the law is clear: electric scooters are considered as motor vehicles and are therefore subject to all the usual legal requirements that apply to other motor vehicles such as cars or motorcycles.

They cannot be used on a road unless they are taxed, registered, have an MOT, are insured and the driver has a valid driving licence for the category of vehicle. If any of these requirements are not met, the vehicle can’t legally be used on the road or elsewhere.

In reality, many of these types of vehicle will never be ‘road legal’ because their design fails to meet road-vehicle safety standards. Just because you can buy them in reputable shops – and in some cases toy shops – does not mean they are allowed to be used on a road, pavement or other public space.

These scooters can only be legally used on private land with the permission of the land or property owner.

Many people make the argument that e-bikes can be used on a road so why not e-scooters?

Electric bikes are defined as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) and can be used on a road or public place as long as they meet certain requirements and the rider is at least 14 years old.

These bikes are not classed as motor vehicles so don’t require insurance and the driver doesn’t need a driving licence. Additionally, they are exempt from having to be registered or require vehicle tax. EAPCs are not allowed to be used on a pavement.

In some parts of the UK, there is a Government trial where you can use an electric scooter on a road only if it is rented from a designated company.

While many people will disagree with this, it is the law; my officers don’t make law, they enforce it so when they are seizing these scooters and dealing with the rider, they are only doing their job and in most cases it has followed a complaint from a concerned member of the public.

Some of these e-scooters can reach speeds in excess of 30mph although most average about 15mph: this is a dangerous speed for the rider and for anyone who they could collide with.

In East Lothian, we are seeing more people using them and with this more complaints from concerned members of the public.

E-scooters are dangerous and you only have to do a quick search on the internet to see some terrible accidents. Many of the riders are children and not trained to drive a fast vehicle like this.

Although people will debate their use, the answer is clear: it is illegal to ride them except on private land with the owner’s permission.

If you are planning on buying one for Christmas, I ask that you think again.

If you must buy one, research where you can legally use it, because my officers will seize them if they are used on a road or public place and it may result in a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.