Can I ride an electric scooter?
Yes, but the rules are much stricter since 2024. The electric scooter can be used following the new Highway Code (Law 177/2024). The helmet is mandatory for everyone (at any age) since 14 December 2024. The minimum age is 14, the speed limit is 20 km/h (6 km/h in pedestrian areas where allowed), it's banned to ride on pavements or carry passengers, and lights and reflectors are required. From 2026 a plate (identification mark) — from 16 May 2026, costing about €8.66 — and third-party insurance (deadline extended to 16 July 2026) become mandatory. You ride on urban roads with limits up to 50 km/h, cycle paths and permitted areas.
📋 The rules
- Helmet mandatory for everyone since 14/12/2024
- Minimum age 14; limit 20 km/h (6 in pedestrian areas)
- Pavements banned and no carrying passengers
- Lights and reflectors mandatory
- From 2026: plate (16 May) and insurance (16 July)
🔓 Exceptions
- Pedestrian areas where allowed: speed reduced to 6 km/h
- Non-compliant scooters (excess power/speed): treated as mopeds
- Municipal orders can restrict zones and hours
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Riding without a helmet carries a fine of €50 to €200. From 2026, riding without the plate could cost up to €400, and lacking insurance will be sanctioned as for other vehicles, with possible seizure. Also sanctioned are speeding, riding on pavements, carrying passengers and riding by under-14s. Before using a scooter, check it's compliant and account for the upcoming plate and insurance obligations.
📎 Official sources
- MIT · New Highway Code and scooters →
- Normattiva · Law 177/2024 (Highway Code reform) →
- MIT · Identification marks for scooters →
❓ Frequently asked
Is a helmet mandatory on the scooter?
Yes. Since 14 December 2024 the helmet is mandatory for all electric-scooter riders, at any age. The fine for riding without one ranges from 50 to 200 euros. The helmet must meet European technical standards.
How fast can I go?
The general limit is 20 km/h, reduced to 6 km/h in pedestrian areas where riding is allowed. Riding on pavements is banned. You can ride on urban roads with limits up to 50 km/h, on cycle paths and in permitted areas.
Do I need a plate and insurance?
From 2026, yes. The identification mark (a kind of plate) becomes mandatory from 16 May 2026, costing about 8.66 euros, and third-party insurance from 16 July 2026. These are new requirements of the Highway Code (Law 177/2024).
What age can I ride a scooter?
The minimum age is 14. Under-14s can't ride an electric scooter. It's also banned to carry a passenger: the scooter is a single-seat vehicle and must be used by one person at a time.
Can I ride on the pavement?
No. Riding scooters on pavements is banned, for pedestrian safety. Scooters must be ridden on the carriageway of urban roads with limits up to 50 km/h, on cycle paths and in areas expressly allowed by the municipality.
🔎 Common searches
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- “electric scooter rules italy 2026”
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