Fines for riding rented electric scooters: when and how much are they?

Contents:

• What type of transport are electric scooters?
• Why electric scooter riders can be fined by the traffic police
• Why electric scooter riders can be fined by a sharing service
• Can children under 18 rent electric scooters?
• How rental companies find out about violations by electric scooter riders?
• The main thing about fines for riding electric scooters in 3 points

In 2024, approximately 25.3 million people used electric scooter-sharing services in Russia, and the total number of scooters reached 401,000. Despite the popularity of this mode of transport, electric scooter drivers are often involved in traffic accidents. In addition, the large number of scooters on the streets causes irritation and anxiety among pedestrians. This raises important questions about the safety and regulation of electric scooter use in cities, which requires attention from authorities and service operators.

Many are unaware of how the Road Traffic Regulations (RTR) regulate the use of electric scooters and what fines are provided for violations. In this article by the editorial board of Skillbox Media "Money", we will take a detailed look at the current traffic regulations concerning electric scooters, as well as possible sanctions for non-compliance.

• What type of transport are electric scooters;
• What fines can electric scooter riders receive from the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate;
• What fines can they receive from rental services;
• Can minors rent scooters;
• How do services find out about violations by electric scooter riders.

What type of transport are electric scooters?

According to Article 24 of the Traffic Regulations, electric scooters with a motor power of up to 0.25 kW, a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h and a weight of up to 35 kg are classified as personal mobility devices (PMD). These devices are becoming increasingly popular due to their compact size and ease of use in urban environments. Proper understanding and adherence to the operating rules of electric scooters contributes to road safety and improves travel comfort. Drivers of personal mobility devices (PMDs) are full participants in road traffic, along with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. They are obligated to comply with traffic regulations and are responsible for any violations. Compliance with traffic regulations helps ensure road safety and prevent accidents. It is important to remember that responsibility on the road lies with all participants, and only joint efforts can help create a safe transport environment. Regular scooters not equipped with an electric motor are not considered PMDs. However, vehicles with a more powerful motor are classified as mopeds. A category "M" driver's license is required to operate such mopeds. This is important to consider when choosing a means of transportation to avoid legal consequences and ensure safety on the road.

What can electric scooter riders be fined by the traffic police for?

Main violations and fines for electric scooter drivers. It is important to know the rules to avoid trouble and ensure safety on the road. Improper use of electric scooters can result in various fines. For example, violating traffic rules, such as riding on sidewalks or ignoring traffic lights, can result in significant fines. It is also worth remembering the need to use protective equipment, such as a helmet, since its absence can result in a fine. Compliance with the rules will not only help avoid financial costs but also increase safety for both drivers and pedestrians. It is important to be attentive and responsible on the road to enjoy riding an electric scooter without problems.

Speeding in pedestrian zones, sidewalks, and bike paths is prohibited. It is important to remember that driving faster than 25 km/h in these areas is a violation. This violation carries a fine of 800 rubles in accordance with Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Maintaining the speed limit in pedestrian zones is important to ensure the safety of all road users.

Pedestrian collision. If the collision occurs due to the fault of the driver of a specialized vehicle (SIM), the penalty is determined based on the damage caused. According to Article 12.30 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (CAO), the fine for causing minor or moderate bodily harm ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles. It is important to note that in the event of serious consequences for a pedestrian's health, the punishment may be more severe and include additional penalties. Scooter owners will be held liable to the same penalties as car drivers for causing serious bodily harm. According to Article 268 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the maximum penalty can be up to two years in prison. This change emphasizes the importance of adhering to road safety regulations and the responsibility of all road users, including scooter users. Driving while intoxicated carries a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles in accordance with Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. It is important to remember that driving while intoxicated not only violates the law but also poses a serious threat to road safety. Penalties for such an offense include not only a fine but also possible consequences for a driver's license. Observing traffic rules and avoiding drunk driving will help protect the lives and health of both the driver and other road users.

Failure to yield to pedestrians is a traffic violation. Scooter drivers are prohibited from honking or demanding that pedestrians yield on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas, as pedestrians always have the right-of-way in these areas. This violation carries a fine of 1,500 to 2,500 rubles in accordance with Article 12.18 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Compliance with these rules helps ensure the safety of all road users and reduce the risk of injury.

Riding an electric scooter on a pedestrian crossing is strictly regulated by the Road Traffic Regulations (RTR). The electric scooter driver is required to dismount at the pedestrian crossing and cross the road on foot. Violating this rule entails a fine of 800 rubles, according to Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Compliance with these rules not only helps avoid fines but also ensures the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.

Riding on the roadway is subject to certain restrictions. It is permitted to ride on the right edge of the roadway in areas where personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) and bicycles are permitted. It is important to maintain a maximum speed of 60 km/h. Scooter drivers must also be at least 14 years old. Violating these rules entails a fine of 1,000 rubles, according to Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Riding two people on a single scooter is prohibited unless the scooter is designed to carry passengers. This rule is also specified in the terms and conditions of scooter rental services. Despite the lack of clear traffic regulations regarding when a scooter can carry a passenger, a two-person ride carries a fine of 800 rubles under Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Therefore, it's important to consider the scooter's design features and follow the rules to avoid trouble and fines.

Why electric scooter riders can be fined by a sharing service

Car rental services have certain rules that can lead to a user being blocked or a fine being debited from the card linked to the account. These fines typically significantly exceed those imposed by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. Let's look at the violations for which users may face penalties. We will provide examples based on three popular rental services.

An accident caused by the user can have serious consequences. For example, the MTS Yurent service blocks access to its services for violators and imposes a fine of 30,000 to 100,000 rubles. The amount of the fine depends on the extent of the damage caused. The rules for using rented vehicles are strictly regulated, and compliance with these rules is critical to ensuring road safety.

The Yandex Go service rules include clause 9.19, which establishes user liability for accidents. In the event of an accident caused by the driver's fault, the company has the right to collect from them an amount ranging from 10,000 to 150,000 rubles, depending on the extent of the damage.

Whoosh imposes fines for incidents caused by users' actions that result in harm to the health or property of third parties. The fine ranges from 30,000 to 100,000 rubles.

The use of scooters by minors is an important topic in the context of traffic regulations. According to current traffic regulations, persons under 18 years of age have the right to use personal mobility devices (PMD), including electric scooters. However, many sharing services restrict scooter rentals to minors due to safety and liability issues. It is important to remember that following traffic rules and using protective gear are key aspects of the safe operation of electric scooters.

Yandex Go imposes a fine of 100,000 rubles on users for sharing a scooter with a third party under 18, as well as for sharing a scooter with a child. These restrictions are outlined in paragraphs 9.18 and 9.20 of the service rules. Compliance with these rules helps ensure user safety and prevent potential incidents on the road.

MTS Yurent takes action against violators, blocking access and imposing a fine of 100,000 rubles. Whoosh, in turn, fines 10,000 rubles for similar violations.

Riding off-road can lead to serious consequences. Yandex Go imposes a fine of 5,000 rubles for this violation. MTS Yurent, on the other hand, takes more lenient measures, issuing a warning first. However, repeat violations may result in a user account being blocked for up to 14 days. It's important to be aware of the rental car operating rules and adhere to them to avoid inconvenience and financial losses. Parking scooters in violation of the service rules may result in fines. If you leave your scooter in a prohibited area after completing a ride or fail to take a photo, Yandex Go will impose a fine of 500 rubles. A similar penalty applies to MTS Yurent users. It is important to remember the parking rules to avoid unpleasant consequences and fines.

Can children under 18 rent electric scooters?

According to paragraph 24 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, adolescents who have reached the age of 14 have the right to operate personal mobility devices (PMD) on the same basis as adults. Children under 7 years old may use PMDs only when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 7 to 14 are required to use PMDs exclusively on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas, which excludes the possibility of driving on the roadway. This rule is aimed at ensuring the safety of both young users and other road users.

Electric scooter rental services set their own rules. Electric scooter rentals are generally unavailable to those under 18, though in some regions this age limit is lowered to 16. This restriction is intended to ensure user safety and minimize risks on the road. Before renting an electric scooter, be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific service's terms and conditions.

Scooter rental services strictly prohibit the transfer of rented vehicles to third parties. In the event of a traffic accident, the person to whom the rental is registered is responsible. This means that if a child uses a scooter rented through a parent's account, all consequences and possible violations will fall on the parent.

There are legal precedents confirming the liability of electric scooter users for accidents. In 2023, an incident occurred in Yekaterinburg involving two teenagers who rode a rented electric scooter through a red light and collided with a car at a pedestrian crossing. As a result of the accident, both teenagers were injured, and the car was damaged. In 2025, a court found the teenager operating the scooter at fault for the accident, and his parents were ordered to pay the driver of the car 170,000 rubles in compensation. This case highlights the importance of following traffic rules and the need to control the use of electric vehicles.

How rental companies find out about electric scooter violations

Services use traffic cameras to track traffic violators, and GPS technology is used to monitor parking in prohibited areas.

To prevent shared scooter riding, the Whoosh service launched the "Anti-tandem" test program in 2024. This program uses sensors to determine the weight of passengers on the scooter and identify violators. This innovation is aimed at ensuring user safety and optimizing the service.

Services actively encourage passersby and users to report violations via email or Telegram bots. One such service is MTS Yurent, which provides convenient channels for feedback.

In June 2025, the Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers proposed implementing a "public supervision" system for scooter users. The idea is that citizens will be able to report traffic violations and, in return, receive a portion of the fine from rental services as a reward. However, at this time, the initiative has not been officially adopted.

The Main Thing About Fines for Riding Electric Scooters in 3 Points

• Traffic violations while riding an electric scooter—for example, drunk driving or an accident involving a pedestrian—are considered administrative offenses and are subject to a fine. The amount can range from 800 rubles to several thousand.
• Sharing services have their own system of sanctions. They can temporarily or permanently block a user, as well as fine them. The fines can reach 150,000 rubles, depending on the type of violation.
• While services don't currently fine all violators, they are actively working on enforcement systems. They learn about violations using GPS data, street surveillance cameras, or reports from concerned citizens.

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