Can I ride an e-scooter on the pavement?
Generally not on the pavement: you ride on the cycle path or the road. An e-scooter can ride on cycle paths or on roads with a speed limit of at most 50 km/h, while access on the pavement is, in most cases, banned. Only if there's no cycle path, dedicated lane or way to ride the road safely can you use the pavement — at most 5 km/h and giving absolute priority to pedestrians. The minimum age is 14; minors aged 14 to 16 must wear an approved helmet. The scooter must be design-limited to 25 km/h and have mandatory equipment: brakes on both wheels, front/rear lights, reflectors and a horn. For scooters over 25 kg or that exceed 25 km/h by design, third-party (RCA) insurance is mandatory.
📋 The rules
- Ride on cycle paths or roads with a limit ≤ 50 km/h
- On the pavement only exceptionally, max 5 km/h, priority to pedestrians
- Minimum age 14; helmet required under 16
- Speed design-limited to 25 km/h; mandatory equipment
- RCA insurance mandatory over 25 kg or over 25 km/h
🔓 Exceptions
- Pavement allowed only if there's no cycle path, lane or safe road
- Under 14: riding on public roads isn't allowed
- Scooters not limited to 25 km/h: can't ride on public roads
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaching the e-scooter traffic rules is a contravention: circulation breaches are fined under class II (4–5 fine points, about 580–725 lei), and missing mandatory equipment under class III (6–8 fine points, about 870–1,160 lei). Riding on the pavement over the allowed speed, without a helmet (for minors) or without RCA (where required) also brings sanctions. Riding under the influence of alcohol is banned on a scooter too. To ride lawfully: use the cycle path or roads with a limit up to 50 km/h, make sure the scooter is limited to 25 km/h and has brakes, lights and a horn, wear a helmet if you're under 16, and take out RCA if the vehicle exceeds the legal thresholds.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I ride a scooter on the pavement?
Generally no. The e-scooter rides on cycle paths or roads with a limit of at most 50 km/h. The pavement is allowed only exceptionally — when there's no cycle path, dedicated lane or safe road — at most 5 km/h and giving absolute priority to pedestrians.
What's the maximum speed for a scooter?
The e-scooter must be design-limited to 25 km/h to ride legally on public roads. On the pavement, in the exceptionally allowed cases, the maximum speed is just 5 km/h, matched to pedestrians' pace, to whom you must give absolute priority.
From what age can I ride an e-scooter?
The minimum age to ride on public roads is 14. Minors aged 14 to 16 must wear an approved protective helmet. Under 14, riding an e-scooter on public roads isn't allowed.
Do I need RCA insurance for a scooter?
Yes, in some cases. RCA insurance is mandatory for scooters over 25 kg or that can, by design, reach speeds over 25 km/h. For ordinary scooters, limited to 25 km/h and lighter, insurance isn't, as a rule, mandatory.
What fines do e-scooter users face?
Breaching traffic rules is fined at about 580–725 lei (class II), and missing mandatory equipment — brakes, lights, reflectors, horn — at about 870–1,160 lei (class III). Riding under the influence of alcohol is banned on a scooter too.
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