Electric scooter laws in North Dakota – Complete Guide 2025

Quick facts

  • Classification: Treated as motorized scooters under existing law
  • Min age: 14 years old
  • Helmet required: Yes for riders under 18
  • Max speed: 30 mph maximum capability
  • License/registration required: Valid driver’s license required
  • Sidewalk riding allowed: No
  • Bike lane access: No
  • Scooter sharing present: No major shared systems
  • Last checked: September 15, 2025

What North Dakota riders need to know

North Dakota doesn’t have specific electric scooter legislation, so e-scooters fall under existing “motorized scooter” regulations that were designed for gas-powered scooters and mopeds. This creates a regulatory framework that’s technically legal but doesn’t perfectly fit scooters.

The state defines a top speed of no more than 30 mph, requiring valid license, helmet use under 18, and prohibiting riding on bike paths and sidewalks. These requirements make North Dakota one of the more restrictive states for electric scooter riders, though enforcement appears to be limited in practice.

North Dakota doesn’t have specific statutes addressing electric scooters, so they’re regulated under existing motorized scooter provisions in the North Dakota Century Code. That means your e-scooter is subject to the same regulations as gas-powered mopeds and scooters.

Under this framework, electric scooters are treated as motor vehicles for regulatory purposes, requiring licensing, equipment standards, and restrictions that were designed for a completely different type of vehicle.

The lack of e-scooter specific legislation means that they face the same regulatory burden as a 50cc gas scooter, creating practical compliance challenges like the specific equipment requirement “with a seat”.

Where you can ride

North Dakota’s classification significantly restricts where you can ride your electric scooter.

Public roads: Electric scooters can operate on public highways and streets where motorized vehicles are permitted, following the same traffic rules as motorcycles and mopeds.

Bike lanes and paths: Electric scooter riders are “required to stay off sidewalks and bike paths” under the motorized scooter classification.

Sidewalks: Riding on sidewalks are strictly forbidden statewide.

Private property: Access depends on property owner permission and any posted restrictions, following general vehicle access principles.

Equipment & vehicle requirements

Under North Dakota law, electric scooters must meet specific equipment standards designed for gas-powered vehicles.

Required equipment includes “brakes, a headlight” and other safety equipment mandated for motorized scooters. Electric scooters must not go faster than 30 mph to qualify for this regulatory category rather than full motorcycle requirements.

The speed requirements are actually pretty nice compared to the most standard 15/20 mph other states have. But those states also just treat scooters as bicycles. There is a section of the statute that clearly states that the vehicle should have a seat, which doesn’t fit with most electric scooters.

Rider requirements

North Dakota’s regulatory framework and requirements create a significant barrier for casual e-scooter riders.

Age restrictions: The minimum age for operation is 14 years old, following motorized scooter age requirements rather than bicycle standards used in many other states.

Licensing: Riders must have “a valid license” to operate electric scooters under the motorized scooter classification. This means a driver’s license or appropriate permit is required for legal operation.

Helmet requirements: Riders under 18 must wear helmets that meet he United States department of transportation standards.

Traffic rules: E-scooter operators must follow all traffic laws applicable to motorized vehicles, including proper lane positioning, signaling, and right-of-way rules.

Parking, storage & riding etiquette

Since e-scooters are classified as motorized vehicles under North Dakota law, parking follows general vehicle parking regulations rather than bicycle-style flexibility.

Parking on sidewalks would be prohibited, though enforcement of this requirement for small nimble electric scooters will be very limited.

Standard vehicle parking courtesy applies, including not blocking traffic lanes, emergency access routes, or designated parking areas for other vehicle types.

Enforcement & penalties

Enforcement appears to be limited in practice, though the legal framework exists for citations and penalties.

Violations would fall under general traffic law enforcement for motorized vehicles, potentially including fines for operating without proper licensing, equipment violations, or prohibited area operation.

The severity of enforcement likely depends on local law enforcement priorities and familiarity with how stupid the laws on the books are, be prepared that many officers may not be aware of the technical classification issues.

Insurance & liability

Under the motorized scooter classification, electric scooters may be subject to motor vehicle insurance requirements, though this isn’t clearly specified in available sources.

Standard vehicle liability principles would apply, making riders financially responsible for accidents and property damage caused during operation.

Your existing insurance might provide some coverage, but verify this with your provider given how unique the states classification issues are.

Local exceptions to state law

Since state law provides the regulatory framework through motorized scooter classification, local variations primarily involve enforcement interpretation and priorities.

Fargo: As the largest city, likely encounters e-scooters most frequently but specific municipal ordinances beyond state law aren’t documented.

Bismarck: State capital enforcement probably follows conservative interpretations of existing law.

Grand Forks: Follows state framework with limited enforcement.

Minot and other smaller cities: Likely follow state regulations without additional local restrictions, though enforcement may be minimal.

Special circumstances

University areas: North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, and other colleges have campus-specific policies that differ from the state.

Rural areas: Most of North Dakota’s rural communities will probably not even bother with enforcement, but would follow the state framework.

FAQs

Q: Are electric scooters legal in North Dakota?
Yes, but they’re regulated as motorized scooters requiring driver’s licenses, helmets, and compliance with motor vehicle equipment standards.

Q: Do I need a license to ride an e-scooter?
Yes, riders must have a valid driver’s license.

Q: Can I ride on bike paths or sidewalks?
No, both are prohibited.

Q: What’s the minimum age to ride?
14 years old, following motorized scooter age requirements.

Q: Do I need a helmet?
Yes, if you’re under 18. The helmet must meet DOT motorcycle standards, which is overkill for most e-scooter speeds, but that’s what the law requires.

Q: What about registration and insurance?
The requirements are unclear, but as motorized vehicles, e-scooters may be subject to standard vehicle registration and insurance obligations.

Resources & citations

Stay up to date

Get updates as the state or cities within it update their regulation. With states such as North Dakota where laws aren’t as developed yet, you want to make sure you’re in the loop, so sign up to our newsletter or keep checking our e-scooter law page regularly to catch changes.

We are electric scooter enthusiasts, not lawyers. North Dakota’s approach of regulating e-scooters under existing motorized scooter law creates technical legal requirements that may not reflect practical enforcement. This article was created to summarize the murky legal landscape for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.

The regulatory situation means that what’s technically required by law may differ significantly from what’s actually possible and how the law is enforced. For questions about specific legal situations, especially those involving licensing, equipment requirements, or citations, consult with a local attorney familiar with North Dakota motor vehicle law.

North Dakota represents the regulatory approach of trying to fit new technology into old legal frameworks, and it doesn’t work well for anyone involved. Like a kid trying to put the square block into the round hole, requiring driver’s licenses, helmets, and motor vehicle equipment standards. Truly show how disconnected regulators can be from what they are regulating.

From a practical standpoint, the requirement to stay off bike paths and sidewalks while needing a driver’s license makes e-scooters less useful for the kinds of short-distance trips they were initially designed for. It’s the regulatory equivalent of requiring a CDL to ride a bicycle.

The enforcement reality differs significantly from the legal requirements, simply because most law enforcement officers aren’t going to cite someone for riding a scooter without a seat. But they do have standing if they would chose to.

North Dakota would benefit from following states with sensible specific e-scooter legislation rather than forcing these devices into regulatory categories designed for completely different types of vehicles. Until that happens, riders are stuck with technically restrictive laws that probably aren’t enforced consistently across the state.

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