Electric Scooter Laws Las Vegas [2023]

Electric scooters are a convenient way to get around the city, especially in a place like Las Vegas where there is so much to see and do.

However, before you hop on an e-scooter and zip through the streets, you need to be aware of the electric scooter laws Las Vegas and how they affect your rights and responsibilities as a rider.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about electric scooter laws in Las Vegas, from the legal requirements and restrictions to the penalties and fines for violations.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Electric Scooter Laws Las Vegas

Electric scooter laws in Las Vegas are based on the state law governing electric scooters, which is located in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 484B.760–484B.790. These laws state, in pertinent part, that:

• A parent or guardian of a child is prohibited from authorizing or knowingly permitting the minor to violate any provisions of this section of NRS;
• Everyone riding an electric scooter on the road benefits from all the rights as drivers, and is subject to all the same duties, as applicable;
• Certain individuals using an electric scooter–such as peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and pedestrian mall employees– are not subject to NRS in specific situations including when responding to an emergency call, in pursuit of a suspected law violator, or when he/she determines non-compliance is needed to carry out job duties.

Other requirements of Nevada scooter law include that:

• Scooter operators must give appropriate hand signals, at least once, while using the device except need not give a hand signal if they are in a designated turning lane or safety requires that both hands remain on the scooter’s handles;
• Users cannot have more people on the electric scooter than what it is designed for;
• It is prohibited to ride an electric scooter attached to a person or another vehicle;
• All scooter riders must stay as near to the right side of the road as possible except when about to make a left turn, doing so is unsafe, or when traveling at the same speed as traffic;
• Prohibits electric scooter riders from carrying any package or article that prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand on the scooter’s handlebars;
• When being used at night, every electric scooter must have a lamp on the front emitting a white light, a red reflector in the rear, reflective material visible from both sides, and a brake system.

Where Electric Scooters are Permitted to Ride

One of the most common questions that electric scooter riders have is where they are allowed to ride their rides.

According to NRS 484B.783, electric scooters are permitted to ride on any public highway where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This means that electric scooters can share the road with cars and other motor vehicles in Nevada, as long as they follow the same traffic rules and signals.

However, local governments can also create their own ordinances that would regulate when, where and how the electric scooters would be used.

For example, Clark County has banned electric scooters from sidewalks and pedestrian bridges. This means that electric scooters cannot be used on sidewalks or overpasses in Las Vegas, which is part of Clark County. Electric scooters are also prohibited from riding on freeways or interstate highways.

Age Restrictions and Licensing Requirements

Another important aspect of electric scooter laws in Las Vegas is the age restrictions and licensing requirements for riders. According to NRS 484B.777, no person under 16 years of age may operate an electric scooter on a public highway.

This means that you have to be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter legally in Nevada. However, some rental companies may have higher age limits for their customers, so you should always check with them before renting an electric scooter.

Additionally, NRS 484B.780 states that electric scooters are exempt from the requirements of registration, licensing, and insurance that apply to other motor vehicles.

This means that you do not need a driver’s license, a registration plate, or an insurance policy to ride an electric scooter in Nevada.

Speed Limits Laws Las Vegas

Another factor that affects electric scooter laws in Las Vegas is the speed limit and riding guidelines for riders. According to NRS 484B.785, electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour on a public highway. This means that you cannot go faster than 20 mph on your e-scooter, regardless of the speed limit of the road. If you do, you may be fined or ticketed for speeding.

Moreover, NRS 484B.787 states that electric scooters must comply with the same rules of the road as other vehicles, such as yielding the right-of-way, stopping at red lights and stop signs, and signaling turns and lane changes.

Helmet Electric Scooter Laws Las Vegas

According to NRS 484B.763, a person who operates or rides as a passenger on an electric scooter must wear a protective helmet that meets the standards established by the Department of Public Safety. This means that wearing a helmet is mandatory for all e-scooter riders in Nevada, regardless of their age or experience.

Some local governments may have different rules regarding helmet use for electric scooters. For example, Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance in 2020 that allows adults over 18 years old to ride e-scooters without helmets within city limits.

This means that if you are over 18 and riding an e-scooter in Las Vegas City, you do not have to wear a helmet. However, if you are under 18 or riding outside the city limits, you still have to wear a helmet.

Rental Scooter Regulations in Las Vegas

Rental scooters are subject to the same laws and regulations as personal electric scooters in Nevada. This means that you have to be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet (unless exempted by local ordinance), follow the speed limit and traffic rules, and ride only on permitted areas when using a rental e-scooter.

However, rental scooters also have some additional rules and guidelines that you have to follow when using them. These include:

• Reading and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the rental company before using their e-scooters;
• Checking the condition and functionality of the e-scooter before riding it;
• Reporting any damage or malfunction of the e-scooter to the rental company;
• Parking the e-scooter properly and responsibly after using it;
• Not tampering with or vandalizing the e-scooter;
• Not exceeding the maximum weight or number of riders for the e-scooter;
• Not using the e-scooter for illegal or unauthorized purposes.

Penalties and Fines for Violations

According to NRS 484B.790, a person who violates any of the provisions of NRS 484B.760 to 484B.787 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

This means that if you break any of the rules regarding electric scooter operation, registration, licensing, equipment, or safety, you may be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to 6 months, or both.

However, some local governments may have different penalties and fines for electric scooter violations. For example, Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance in 2020 that allows the city to impound e-scooters that are parked illegally or abandoned on public property.

The ordinance also imposes a $100 fine for each violation and a $50 impound fee for each e-scooter. This means that if you park your e-scooter improperly or leave it on public property in Las Vegas city, you may have to pay $150 to get it back.

Updates to electric scooter laws Las Vegas

Electric scooter laws in Las Vegas are constantly evolving and changing as new technologies and trends emerge. There are some new updates and amendments to electric scooter laws in Nevada that you should be aware of. These include:

• Assembly Bill 485, which authorizes local governments to create their own ordinances regulating the use of electric scooters. The bill also requires electric scooter riders to be over the age of 16 and prohibits them from riding on sidewalks or pedestrian bridges unless authorized by local ordinance. The bill also allows local governments to impose fees, taxes, or charges on electric scooter operators or users.
  
  
• Senate Bill 215, which revises the definition of electric scooters to include devices that have a seat or saddle for the rider. The bill also clarifies that electric scooters are not subject to the requirements of registration, licensing, insurance, or inspection that apply to other motor vehicles.
  
  
• Senate Bill 383, which revises the provisions relating to electric bicycles and clarifies that they are not considered as electric scooters. The bill also establishes three classes of electric bicycles based on their speed and motor power and specifies where they are allowed to operate.

Comparing Las Vegas Electric Scooter Laws with Other Cities

Electric scooter laws in Las Vegas are not the same as other cities in the US or around the world. Some cities are more lenient and welcoming of electric scooters, while others are more strict and restrictive.

For example, some cities that have similar or more relaxed electric scooter laws than Las Vegas include:

• Austin, Texas, allows electric scooters to ride on sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 20 mph and riders must be at least 16 years old. Helmets are recommended but not required.
  
  
• Nashville, Tennessee, which allows electric scooters to ride on sidewalks (except in certain areas), bike lanes, greenways, and streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 20 mph and riders must be at least 18 years old. Helmets are required for riders under 21 years old.
  
  
• Paris, France, which allows electric scooters to ride on bike lanes, roads with speed limits of 30 km/h (18 mph) or less, and some pedestrian areas. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) and riders must be at least 12 years old. Helmets are recommended but not required.

On the other hand, some cities that have stricter or more different electric scooter laws than Las Vegas include:

• New York City, New York, allows electric scooters to ride on bike lanes, streets with speed limits of 30 mph or less, and some bridges and tunnels. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 15 mph and riders must be at least 16 years old. Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old.
  
  
• San Francisco, California, allows electric scooters to ride on bike lanes, streets with speed limits of 25 mph or less, and some park paths. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 15 mph and riders must be at least 18 years old. Helmets are required for all riders.
  
  
• London, England, which allows electric scooters to ride on roads and cycle lanes, but not on sidewalks or pedestrian areas. Electric scooters must not exceed a speed of 15.5 mph and riders must be at least 18 years old. Helmets are recommended but not required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Electric scooters are a fun and convenient way to get around Las Vegas, but they also require you to follow certain laws and regulations that govern their use.

In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about electric scooter laws in Las Vegas, from the legal requirements and restrictions to the penalties and fines for violations.

We have also compared Las Vegas electric scooter laws with other cities and given you some tips for responsible and law-abiding electric scooter use.