Electric Scooter Laws in Arkansas – Complete Guide 2025

Summary on Arkansas E-Scooter Regulation

  • Classification: Electric motorized scooter (Arkansas Code § 27-51-1901)
  • Min age: 16 years statewide
  • Helmet required: Optional for private scooters, under 18 must helmet on shared scooters
  • Max speed: 15 mph statewide
  • License required: No
  • Registration: Not required
  • Title required: Not required
  • Insurance required: Not required
  • Sidewalk riding: Generally allowed (city restrictions may apply)
  • Bike lane access: Yes, treated similarly to bicycles
  • Scooter sharing: Active in Little Rock, Fayetteville
  • Last updated: August 27, 2025

Quick & Simple Laws Make Adoption Easy

Arkansas passed the Electric Motorized Scooter Act in 2019, creating straightforward statewide rules that work well in practice. The 16+ age requirement and slight restrictive 15 mph speed limit cover most real world usage without bureaucratic complexity. However, shared scooter programs operate under different rules than private ownership, which can create confusion like Little Rock set helmet requirements for rentals but not private rides. The lower than average speed limitation is also a bit dissatisfying.

Arkansas Code Title 27, Subchapter 19 establishes the Electric Motorized Scooter Act. The law sets only two statewide restrictions: operators must be at least 16 years old, and speeds cannot exceed 15 mph. The state specifically chose not to require licensing, registration, titles, insurance, or power limits. A great choice if yo ask me, as power restrictions often lead to discriminatory adoption of electric scooters.

The framework intentionally leaves most operational details to local municipalities, allowing cities to adapt rules for their specific infrastructure and safety concerns. This approach works better than rigid statewide requirements, since Little Rock’s downtown density needs different solutions than rural Arkansas towns.

Where You Can Ride

Roads and Streets: Arkansas treats electric scooters similarly to bicycles for road access. You can ride on roads where bicycles are permitted, following standard traffic rules and staying as far right as practicable.

Bike Lanes: Allowed, most cities with bike infrastructure welcome scooters in dedicated lanes with open arms.

Sidewalks: Generally permitted statewide, but individual cities may have restrictions. Always yield to pedestrians and ride at pedestrian speeds when riding on a crowded sidewalk.

Trails and Parks: Varies by location and managing agency. State parks and city trail systems have individual policies, make sure you check before riding.

Equipment & Vehicle Requirements

The Arkansas Electric Motorized Scooter Act doesn’t set specific equipment requirements at the state level. Cities are allowed to establish their own standards for shared scooter programs, but private scooter owners aren’t subject to detailed technical specifications. A breath of fresh air in comparison to many states complicated registration requirement and power limitations.

Standard bicycle lighting requirements apply for night riding: white front light visible from a reasonable distance and red rear reflector or light. Functional brakes are always needed, though not specifically mandated in the statute.

The 15 mph speed limit is the key restriction. Slower than most states, but Arkansas makes up for it by making every other aspects a bliss to deal with. Do note that most electric scooter models can exceed this 15 mph speed limit, so you need to self-regulate or risk violations.

Rider Requirements

Age: 16 years minimum statewide. No exceptions or parental supervision allowances for younger riders.
Licensing: None required at state level.
Helmet Laws: Not mandated for private scooter ownership. Shared scooter operators may require helmets for riders under 18 as part of their user agreements.
Alcohol Rules: Standard impaired driving laws apply. Operating any vehicle while intoxicated carries penalties, and scooters aren’t exempt from enforcement.

Parking, Storage & Riding Etiquette

Arkansas doesn’t set statewide parking rules for private scooters. Follow basic courtesy principles: don’t block sidewalks, ADA access, building entrances, or create pedestrian hazards.

Cities with active scooter sharing programs typically develop specific parking guidelines that provide good models for private riders. They usually focus on keeping scooters out of pedestrian travel paths.

Arkansas temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C), which accelerates battery degradation if scooters are stored in direct sunlight or hot garages. Do keep that min mind when you pick a parking spot during hot summer days.

Enforcement & Penalties

The 15 mph speed limit is the primary enforcement target, though actual speed monitoring is limited outside of shared scooter programs with GPS tracking. The 16+ age requirement gets more attention, particularly around high schools and college campuses.

Violations typically result in warnings or minor fines similar to bicycle infractions. Arkansas police don’t have specific scooter enforcement protocols, so penalties often mirror general traffic violations.

Cities with scooter sharing programs tend to have more active enforcement around common rental scooter areas such as downtown o university districts.

Insurance & Liability

No insurance requirements at state level for private scooters. Standard liability rules apply if you cause property damage or injury while riding. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide coverage for these type of accidents, but always verify.

Since scooters are treated similarly to bicycles, liability determination follows similar principles. Arkansas uses comparative fault rules, so accident responsibility gets apportioned based on circumstances.

Local Exceptions and Municipal Rules

Little Rock (Population 198,000): Shared scooter programs require helmets for riders under 18. The city board passed revised ordinances in January 2021 that removed geographic restrictions and helmet provision requirements for scooter companies. Private scooters follow state rules without additional city restrictions.

Fayetteville (Population 95,000): Helmets strongly recommended but not required. Cellphone use, headphones, and earbuds prohibited while riding. Active shared scooter programs operate around University of Arkansas campus with vendor permit requirements.

Bentonville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro: Follow state rules without additional municipal restrictions identified.

Special Circumstances

University Areas: University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has campus-specific policies for shared scooters. Safety equipment is stressed for campus and city riding. Other Arkansas universities may have their own individual policies.

Tourist Areas: Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, and other destinations don’t have specific scooter restrictions, but check with local visitor centers about informal policies.

Weather Considerations: Arkansas humidity and heat affect battery performance. Thunderstorms create dangerous riding conditions, and winter ice makes non winterized electric scooters impractical for several months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my 15-year-old ride an electric scooter? No. Arkansas requires 16+ years old with no exceptions for parental supervision or private property.

Why 15 mph instead of 20 mph like most states? Arkansas chose a more conservative speed limit, probably for safety reasons given the lack of licensing or experience requirement.

Do I need insurance for my private scooter? Not required by law, but liability coverage is smart since you’re responsible for any damage or injuries you cause.

Can I modify my scooter for higher speeds? If you exceed 15 mph capability, you might no longer qualify under the Electric Motorized Scooter Act and could face different legal requirements.

What’s different about rental scooters? Shared scooter companies operate under city permits with additional restrictions, particularly helmet requirements for under-18 users in some cities.

Resources & Citations

At Aridejunkie.com we are not lawyers, we’re fellow ride junkies. That means we aren’t lawyering here. This guide summarizes Arkansas law for educational purposes and shouldn’t replace legal advice. For violations, accidents, or liability questions, consult an Arkansas attorney familiar with traffic and personal injury law.

Call To Action

Laws change frequently, especially when something is in its early adoption period. Want to stay up to date when Arkansas cities change their electric scooter regulations?

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on any new Southern state law changes and some practical riding advice or you can check our electric scooter state laws page once or twice a month.

Toby’s Arkansas Law Conclusions

Arkansas got the framework right by keeping state rules simple and letting cities handle smaller local concerns. The 16+ age requirement makes sense from a safety perspective, I’ve seen too many younger riders who lack the traffic awareness needed for safe scooter operation. The 15 mph limit is more conservative than most states, but it works well for urban riding.

From a technical standpoint, most quality commuter scooters exceed 15 mph easily, so the speed limit becomes a rider responsibility issue rather than equipment restriction. I appreciate that Arkansas doesn’t bog down private ownership with registration or licensing requirements while still maintaining basic safety standards.

Arkansas summers are genuinely tough on batteries and electronics. Store your scooter indoors when possible, and if not, find yourself a shady spot to park in.

One thing Arkansas does right is avoiding the licensing complexity that trips up other states. Sixteen year old’s can handle basic traffic rules without formal testing, and combined with the low speed limit it greatly diminishes the chance for accidents.

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