If I understand this article correctly, e-scooters in the UK can only be operated on-street and not on sidewalks. (on this point, I’m in full agreement). But also, when used in the street, they must be insured. (IMO, this is weird). So when teenagers between 13-16 are caught operating an uninsured e-scooter, they personally are issued an “IN10 endorsements” which seems to be similar to a traffic ticket elsewhere in the world.

But since 13-16 year olds do not qualify for a UK driving license, this citation results in the delayed effect that when they later obtain a driving license, auto insurers will use the old citation to jack up the premiums.

In my opinion, as a Californian, this is bizarre and the only comparable thing here which has such a delayed effect is for underage possession of alcohol in a car, or drunk driving or bicycling, where the administrative penalty is a one year delay from obtaining a driving license, for persons 13 and up. The distinction here is that California applies this for irresponsibility regarding alcohol, whereas the UK seems to think a lack of insurance for someone who can’t even drive yet is somehow in need of equal penalties.

On the flip side, one could argue that UK teenagers using e-scooters now have yet another reason to not bother with driving an automobile at all.

Can eScooters not be insured? That would eliminate the problem right there, can’t get tapped for driving without insurance if you have insurance…

Makes me wonder about bicycles though…

The point of insurance is to cover the damage you can create with a 4000 lb vehicle doing 65mph. What kinda of damage can a scooter cause? I mean are you required to have insurance for a bike?