E-Scooter Rules in Germany: Insurance, Fines, and Where You Can Ride

In Germany, an e-scooter is not considered a toy but an Elektrokleinstfahrzeug — a small electric vehicle. To use one legally on public roads, you need a scooter approved for use, a valid insurance sticker, and compliance with the eKFV rules. A German driving licence is not required for an e-scooter, but riders must be at least 14 years old.

What counts as a legal e-scooter

The main requirements are set out in the Verordnung über die Teilnahme von Elektrokleinstfahrzeugen am Straßenverkehr (eKFV). A standard e-scooter must have:

• electric drive;
• a design speed above 6 km/h but no higher than 20 km/h;
• handlebars or a steering bar;
• a manufacturer’s plate and identification number;
• Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE) or another acceptable approval;
• brakes, an audible warning device, front and rear lights, and reflectors;
• valid Haftpflichtversicherung with a Versicherungsplakette.

An ordinary scooter without German approval cannot simply be taken onto the road. Before buying, check whether the model appears on the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) list or whether the manufacturer’s documents state that it has an ABE for Germany.

Check the KBA list for Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge

Electric skateboards, hoverboards, and many unicycles do not automatically become permitted simply because they have a motor. If a vehicle does not comply with eKFV and lacks approval, using it on public roads and cycling infrastructure is generally prohibited.

Insurance and the insurance sticker

An e-scooter requires separate third-party liability insurance — similar to motor-vehicle third-party liability insurance for damage to others. Proof is the Versicherungsplakette, a small insurance sticker attached to the scooter.

Important points:

• the insurance year for these vehicles ends on the last day of February;
• from 1 March, a new sticker is needed for the next insurance year;
• the sticker colour changes annually so police can immediately see whether insurance is current;
• after 1 March 2026, black insurance stickers apply; old green ones are no longer valid;
• without a current sticker, there is no insurance cover, and riding may result in a fine and personal liability for damage.

The policy price depends on the insurer, rider’s age, scope of cover, and optional extras. Protecting the scooter itself against theft or damage is usually a separate Teilkasko policy. Unfallversicherung can be useful for rider injuries, but it does not replace compulsory Haftpflicht insurance.

Where you can ride

An e-scooter must be ridden where eKFV and road signs permit it:

Situation	How to ride
There is a cycle path, cycle lane, or Fahrradstraße	Use it
There is no cycling infrastructure	Ride on the carriageway
Pavement or ordinary pedestrian zone	Not permitted without special authorisation
Additional sign “Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge frei”	You may ride within the stated exception
A bicycle traffic light is installed	Follow it
There is no bicycle traffic light	Follow the ordinary traffic light

You may not ride side by side: several scooters must travel one behind another. Carrying a passenger is also prohibited, even if the model can bear the combined weight of two people. Helmets are not legally mandatory, but are sensible for city riding.

Turns, lights, and changes from 2027

When turning, a rider must indicate the manoeuvre in advance. On older models this is often done by hand, which can be inconvenient on small wheels and uneven roads. As with cyclists, clear signalling matters when manoeuvring. The eKFV already sets requirements for Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger — turn indicators. For new approvals and purchases from 2027, it is especially important to check whether a particular model meets current ABE and KBA requirements.

If you are buying an e-scooter for long-term use, do not focus only on price. Check its documents, lights, brakes, turn indicators, spare-parts availability, and whether it can be legally insured in Germany.

E-scooters on trains and public transport

There is no single rule for all of Germany. Deutsche Bahn, regional Verkehrsverbund associations, and urban transport operators may have different rules for folded and unfolded scooters. In some networks, a folded e-scooter is treated as luggage; in others, restrictions or a ban apply because of safety and fire-risk requirements.

Before travelling, check the rules of the specific operator: DB, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus company, or local Verkehrsverbund. This is especially important for non-folding models and travel at peak times.

Fines for common violations

The size of a fine depends on the circumstances: whether there was danger, damage, a repeat violation, or additional traffic offences. Typical indications are:

Violation	Typical fine
Running a red light	EUR 60–180
Riding on the pavement	EUR 15–30
Entering an Autobahn	EUR 20
No valid insurance sticker	EUR 40
No Betriebserlaubnis / ABE	EUR 70
Riding beside another scooter rather than in line	EUR 15–30
Using a smartphone while riding	EUR 100 and 1 Flensburg point

If a violation causes an accident or is committed while intoxicated, the consequences can be considerably more serious than an ordinary fine.

Alcohol on an e-scooter

The same alcohol limits apply to e-scooters as to car drivers. This is a common trap: a scooter may seem less serious, but legally riding after drinking can affect your driving licence.

The main rules are:

• between 0.5 and 1.09 per mille without signs of unsafe driving is generally an administrative offence: EUR 500, 2 Flensburg points, and a one-month driving ban;
• from 1.1 per mille, it is a Straftat and can lead to a fine, loss of a driving licence, and further consequences;
• from around 0.3 per mille, riding can become a criminal case if there are signs of impairment, such as falling, a dangerous manoeuvre, or an accident;
• a 0.0 per mille limit applies to riders under 21 and novice drivers in their probationary period.

If a person has a car licence, an e-scooter violation can affect it too. After drinking alcohol, it is safer to walk, call a taxi, or use public transport.

How to choose a model

For Germany, power and range are not the only considerations. A practical checklist before buying:

• whether it has ABE and can receive an insurance sticker;
• whether its stated maximum speed is no more than 20 km/h;
• how reliable its brakes are on wet roads;
• whether it has proper lights and reflectors;
• whether the payload is sufficient with a backpack or bags;
• whether it folds conveniently if you plan to take it on public transport;
• how much weight you will have to carry up stairs or onto a train;
• how large the wheels are and whether it has suspension.

Small, rigid wheels react more strongly to kerbs, tram tracks, storm drains, and stones. A larger battery provides more range but adds weight. For everyday travel, brakes, tyres, lights, and repairability are often more important than the maximum range in advertising.

Safety in the city

An e-scooter accelerates quickly but is less forgiving of uneven surfaces than a bicycle. Before your first ride, practise braking, turning, and avoiding obstacles in an empty area. In the city, keep your distance, avoid abrupt one-handed movements, and do not assume a car driver will notice you as readily as a cyclist.

Rental scooters are convenient for a short trip, but before starting check the brakes, lights, charge, handlebars, and wheels. Payment usually requires an app and a bank card, including a credit card or another supported payment method.