Electric Scooter Laws in Virginia – Complete Guide 2025

Quick Facts

  • Classification: Motorized skateboard or scooter (Virginia Code § 46.2-908.1)
  • Min age: 14 years old, under 14 requires adult supervision (18+)
  • Helmet required: No statewide requirement
  • Max speed: 20 mph maximum statewide
  • License/registration required: Not required statewide
  • Sidewalk riding allowed: Yes, unless locally prohibited
  • Bike lane access: Yes, following bicycle rules
  • Scooter sharing present: Yes in Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach
  • Last checked: September 15, 2025

What Virginia riders need to know

Virginia’s electric ride regulation is both comprehensive and impressive, they bundled up “motorized skateboards or scooters” under Virginia Code § 46.2-908.1. The state sets a clear 20 mph speed limit and requires adult supervision for riders under 14, which strikes a reasonable balance between access and safety.

The law is very clear and can’t easily be misinterpret. As long as you stay within the speed limits and have the appropriate age, or ride under supervision you’re set to go.

Virginia Code § 46.2-908.1 covers electric scooters under the motorized skateboard or scooter classification. This puts two of my personal favorite electric rides in the same category which is both convenient but also more future proof.

Electric scooters follow bicycle traffic laws when riding on roadways and bike paths. Which means you’re barred from riding on any interstate or highway.

Where you can ride

Roadways: You can ride your electric scooter on roadways following standard bicycle traffic rules. You stay as far right as safely possible, yield to faster traffic, and follow signals and signs.

The state doesn’t restrict scooters to roads with specific speed limits like some states do, but the 20 mph scooter speed limit means you should stick to roads where traffic will operate at a similar speed.

Bike lanes: Scooters are permitted to use bike lanes. This is where you’ll aim to spend the most time riding, especially in larger cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach where bike infrastructure are built out.

Sidewalks: State law allows sidewalk riding unless locally prohibited. The statute states that “nothing in this section shall prohibit the operation of a motorized skateboard or scooter in the crosswalk of any highway where the use of such crosswalk is authorized for pedestrians, bicycles, or electric power-assisted bicycles.”

Parks and trails: State parks generally allow scooters on paved paths following the same rules as bicycles, but may restrict them on natural surface trails to prevent erosion.

Equipment & vehicle requirements

Virginia sets a hard 20 mph speed limit for electric scooters. The statute includes interesting language stating “no person shall operate a skateboard or scooter that would otherwise meet the definition of a motorized skateboard or scooter but is capable of speeds greater than 20 miles per hour at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.”

This is a lot different from other states where they set the capacity limit on the scooter to 20 mph, here Virginia acknowledges that some scooters can go faster than 20 mph as long as you don’t exceed the speed limit you’re still allowed to ride. This is key to wider adoption since some heavier riders, or riders in hilly areas will need more power to tackle their daily commute.

Virginia doesn’t specify detailed equipment requirements for scooters beyond what applies to bicycles generally. So you need working brakes and appropriate lighting for night riding, and that’s it.

Rider requirements

Age restrictions: The age requirements are clear and strict. No person under 14 years of age shall ride an electric scooter, unless under the immediate supervision of a person who is at least 18.

That immediate supervision requirement means the adult needs to be right there, not just somewhere in the general area. After teaching younger riders for many years, I know proper supervision makes a huge difference in how safely kids handle these devices.

Licensing: Virginia treats electric scooters similar to bicycles, so you are not required to have a license to ride.

Helmet requirements: No statewide helmet requirement exists for electric scooter riders in Virginia. There are allowance for local ordinances to require helmets for minors so check the city regulations.

Traffic compliance: Scooters follow bicycle laws so follow standard bike regulation which including proper lane positioning, signaling turns, and yielding right of way appropriately.

Parking, storage & riding etiquette

Virginia have specific statewide parking requirements. It is left completely up to local ordinances. Common sense practices include parking upright in designated areas where available, not blocking sidewalk access or ADA pathways, avoiding parking near building entrances or transit stops, and securing devices properly to prevent theft.

Enforcement & penalties

Enforcement varies between Virginia’s cities, with more active monitoring in areas with shared scooter programs. Common violations and typical penalty ranges include underage riding without supervision ($50-125), exceeding the 20 mph speed limit ($75-150), riding on prohibited roadways ($100-200), and improper parking in restricted areas ($25-75).

The penalties tend to be less serious compared to motor vehicle violations, reflecting the lower impact of scooter infractions.

Insurance & liability

Virginia doesn’t require specific insurance for electric scooters. Your homeowner’s or auto insurance may provide some coverage for accidents or theft, though I urge you to look it up beforehand.

Standard negligence principles apply in accidents. If you cause damage through careless riding, you could be liable for costs, while proper adherence to traffic laws helps protect you if others are at fault.

Local exceptions to state law

Richmond: Allows electric scooters throughout the city following state guidelines but has implemented specific downtown parking requirements. Scooters must be parked in designated areas or bike racks rather than randomly placed on sidewalks. The city requires permits for shared scooter operators.

Virginia Beach: Permits scooter operation but has seasonal restrictions near the oceanfront during peak tourist season. The city requires additional spacing when parking scooters near beach access points and popular attractions.

Norfolk: Allows scooters following state law but has implemented enhanced enforcement around Norfolk Botanical Garden and zoo areas. The city requires slower speeds near these attractions and has designated parking areas.

Alexandria: Has detailed regulations prohibiting sidewalk riding in Old Town historic district and requiring scooters to use bike lanes or roads in those areas. The city requires working lights for all night riding.

Charlottesville: Home to the University of Virginia, has campus-specific policies throughout the university area. The city requires slower speeds near dormitories and has designated scooter parking zones near major campus buildings.

Special circumstances

University areas: Virginia’s major universities including UVA, Virginia Tech, and VCU have campus-specific policies that often differ from city regulations. Most will restrict use or speed to some capacity or require you to register your ride in order to use it on university property.

Tourist areas: Coastal areas and historic districts often implement seasonal restrictions during peak tourist periods, typically including temporary speed limits and designated no-ride zones in high-pedestrian areas.

Interstate restrictions: Operation is prohibited “on any Interstate Highway System component,” keeping scooters off truly dangerous high-speed roads.

FAQs

Q: Can my 13-year-old ride an electric scooter in Virginia?
Only with immediate supervision by someone 18 or older. The adult needs to be right there, not just in the general area.

Q: Do I need a helmet as an adult rider?
Not required by state law, though local ordinances may require them for minors. Always a smart safety choice regardless of legal requirements.

Q: Can I ride faster than 20 mph if my scooter is capable of it?
No, Virginia has a hard 20 mph speed limit that applies everywhere in the state, regardless of your scooter’s top speed capability.

Q: What about sidewalk riding?
Allowed under state law unless locally prohibited. Many cities restrict sidewalk riding in downtown or high-pedestrian areas.

Q: Can I ride on bike paths and trails?
Generally yes, following the same rules as bicycles. Some natural surface trails may restrict motorized devices for conservation reasons.

Resources & citations

Stay up to date

While Virginia has some great set of rules for riding electric scooters in the state, local governments are allowed freedom to enact further restrictions on riders in their local area. To make sure you’re kept up to date on sudden changes subscribe to our newsletter or regularly check back to our e-scooter legal page for the latest updates.

We’re riders, not lawyers. This information covers Virginia electric scooter laws as we understand them and is intended for informational purposes only, not legal advice.

For specific legal questions, especially regarding accident liability or commercial scooter operations, consult with a local attorney familiar with Virginia transportation law. When in doubt about local regulations, contact your city’s transportation department or local police for current information.

Virginia gets electric scooter regulation right by creating a clear framework that treats these devices appropriately for what they are. They bundle a bunch of them up in the same category as it makes sense. Set a 20 mph statewide speed limit that doesn’t restrict your rides total output so that you can still have adequate power.

The age requirement with mandatory adult supervision for under-14 riders shows Virginia actually thought through youth safety. Overall it puts Virginia on the map for being one of the more e-ride friendly states in the U.S.

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