Fines for using rented electric scooters: when and how much to pay

Contents:

• What class of vehicles do electric scooters belong to?
• Reasons why the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate may impose a fine on electric scooter owners
• What violations can sharing companies impose fines on electric scooter users?
• Age restrictions on renting electric scooters: can children under 18 use the service?
• Methods for detecting violations by rental companies on the part of electric scooter users
• Key aspects of fines for using electric scooters in three points

In 2024, the number of users of electric scooter rental services in Russia was approximately 25.3 million, and the total number of available scooters reached 401,000. However, despite their popularity, electric scooter drivers are often involved in traffic accidents, and the large number of scooters irritates and even frightens pedestrians.

Many people are unaware of how the Road Traffic Regulations (RTR) apply to the use of electric scooters and whether there are penalties for violating them. In this article by the editorial team of Skillbox Media "Money", we explain in detail:

• Electric scooters are classified as personal electric vehicles.
• Electric scooter riders may face various fines from the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate for failure to comply with traffic rules. The main violations for which penalties are provided include:

  1. Riding on sidewalks if prohibited by local regulations.
  2. Ignoring traffic lights and road signs.
  3. Failure to comply with rules on the mandatory use of personal protective equipment, such as helmets.
  4. Driving while intoxicated.
  5. Carrying passengers if this is not permitted by the design of the scooter.

  Each of these violations may entail a fine, the amount of which depends on the specific situation and may vary. Furthermore, more serious measures, such as confiscation of the scooter, may be imposed for persistent violations.

• What sanctions can the rental service impose on them?
• Are minors allowed to rent scooters?
• Electric scooter rental services use various methods to detect violations committed by users. One of the main tools is GPS tracking, which allows for real-time tracking of scooter locations. This makes it possible not only to monitor routes but also to record instances of scooters being used in prohibited areas or exceeding the speed limit.

  Furthermore, many companies integrate notification systems into their apps, informing users of transport rules and the location of permitted riding zones. Sometimes they also install sensors that can record illegal parking or other violations.

  By analyzing ride data, services can identify repeat violations from the same users, which also facilitates the adoption of measures such as temporary account blocking or fines. Thus, the combination of technology and user behavior analysis helps companies maintain order and safety on the roads.

What class of vehicles do electric scooters belong to?

According to paragraph 24 of the Road Traffic Regulations, electric scooters with a motor power of no more than 0.25 kW, a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h, and a weight of up to 35 kg are recognized as personal mobility devices (PMD).

Drivers of personal mobility devices are full participants in traffic along with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Therefore, they are obliged to adhere to traffic rules and are responsible for their violation.

Ordinary scooters not equipped with an electric motor are not classified as personal mobility devices. At the same time, vehicles with a more powerful motor are considered mopeds, and a category "M" driver's license is required to drive them.

Reasons why the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate may fine owners of electric scooters

Here are the key offenses and penalties that can be imposed on electric scooter users.

Exceeding the speed limit. Traveling at speeds exceeding 25 km/h is prohibited in pedestrian areas, on sidewalks, and bike paths. This violation carries a fine of 800 rubles in accordance with Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Accidents involving a pedestrian. If the driver of a special vehicle is at fault in the incident, the penalty will be determined based on the extent of the damage caused. In accordance with Article 12.30 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the fine for causing minor or moderate bodily harm ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles.

Scooter operators will be held liable for causing serious bodily harm just like car drivers. According to Article 268 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the maximum penalty is up to two years' imprisonment.

Driving a vehicle while intoxicated entails a fine ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles, as specified in Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Disregarding the rights of pedestrians. A scooter driver does not have the right, for example, to signal or demand that pedestrians clear the way on the sidewalk or in an area designated for pedestrians, since they have priority. For this violation, a fine of 1,500 to 2,500 rubles is provided in accordance with Article 12.18 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Riding a pedestrian crossing on an electric scooter. In accordance with traffic regulations, the electric scooter user must dismount at the zebra crossing and continue on foot. Violation of this rule will result in a fine of 800 rubles, as stipulated by Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Moving on the roadway is permitted, but with certain conditions. Riding on the right edge of the roadway is permitted in areas where scooters and bicycles are permitted. It is important to note that the speed limit must not exceed 60 km/h, and the scooter driver must be at least 14 years old. Violation of these rules will result in a fine of 1,000 rubles, as stipulated by Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Riding with two people on one scooter. If the scooter is not designed to carry a second passenger, it may only be used by one person. This requirement is specified in the rules of many rental services. The traffic regulations don't specify when scooters can be used to transport passengers, but sharing a ride can result in a fine of 800 rubles under Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

What violations can sharing companies impose fines on electric scooter users?

Car rental services have specific rules that allow them to block a user's account or charge a fine to the card linked to the account. These fines typically significantly exceed the amounts imposed by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. Let's look at several violations for which a client can receive a fine, using three different services as examples.

A traffic accident caused by a user's actions has the following consequences. For example, MTS Yurent may restrict access to its service for the violator and impose a fine ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 rubles, depending on the extent of the damage.

Clause 9.19 of the Yandex Go service rules stipulates that in the event of a traffic accident caused by the driver's fault, the company has the right to demand compensation in the amount of 10,000 to 150,000 rubles, depending on the extent of the damage.

The Whoosh system imposes fines of 30,000 to 100,000 rubles for incidents caused by the user's fault that result in damage to the health or property of third parties.

Minors and their use of scooters. Traffic regulations permit the use of personal mobility devices by individuals under 18 years of age, but most rental services do not rent electric scooters to this age group.

According to paragraphs 9.18 and 9.20 of the Yandex Go rules, users may be fined 100,000 rubles for providing a scooter to minors under 18, as well as for sharing a scooter with a child.

MTS Yurent imposes a fine of 100,000 rubles and restricts access for a similar offense, while Whoosh sets a fine of 10,000 rubles.

Traveling on unpaved routes. Yandex Go will impose a fine of 5,000 rubles, while MTS Yurent will issue a warning and, in the event of a repeat violation, may suspend access to the user's account for up to 14 days.

Parking in violation of the terms of service. If you leave the scooter in an unauthorized place after completing a ride or do not take a photo of it, Yandex Go will charge a fine of 500 rubles. MTS Yurent will apply a similar penalty.

Age restrictions for renting electric scooters: can children under 18 use the service?

In accordance with paragraph 24 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, young people who have reached the age of 14 have the right to operate personal mobility vehicles under the same conditions as adults. Children under seven years of age may use SIMs only under adult supervision, while children aged 7 to 14 are permitted to use sidewalks and pedestrian areas, but are not permitted to use roadways.

However, rental companies reserve the right to set their own rules. They usually prohibit the rental of electric scooters for persons under 18 years of age, and in some regions this age limit can be lowered to 16 years.

Furthermore, scooter rental services prohibit the transfer of scooters to third parties. In the event of a traffic accident, the person registered as the renter is liable. Therefore, if a child uses a scooter rented under a parent's account, the parent will be responsible for any violations.

There are already court precedents illustrating similar situations. In 2023, a traffic accident occurred in Yekaterinburg involving two teenagers. They drove a rented electric scooter through a red light and collided with a car at a pedestrian crossing. As a result of the incident, both teenagers were injured, and the vehicle was damaged. In 2025, a court found the teenager operating the scooter at fault for the traffic accident. The parents of the culprit will be required to pay the driver of the damaged vehicle 170,000 rubles in compensation.

Methods for detecting violations by electric scooter users by rental companies

Systems can identify traffic violators using cameras installed along the roads, and cases of illegal parking are recorded using GPS technology.

To prevent scooter sharing, Whoosh piloted a program called "Anti-Tandem" in 2024. This system uses sensors to detect the weight of scooter users, allowing for the identification of violators.

Additionally, platforms urge passersby and other users to report violations by sending messages via email or Telegram bots. For example, this is how the MTS Yurent service functions.

In June 2025, the Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers proposed the concept of "public control" over scooter users. According to this idea, citizens will be able to report violations and, as an incentive, receive a portion of the fine collected from violators from rental companies. However, this initiative has not yet been officially approved.

Key aspects of fines for using electric scooters in three points

• Traffic violations related to the use of electric scooters, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or accidents involving pedestrians, are classified as administrative offenses. Fines for such actions can range from 800 rubles to several thousand.
• Services providing sharing services have their own system of penalties for users. Depending on the severity of the violation, they have the right to temporarily or permanently suspend access to an account, as well as impose fines. The amount of these fines can vary and reach 150 thousand rubles.
• Although not all violators are currently subject to fines, services are actively improving their control methods. They receive information about violations through GPS data, using street surveillance cameras, and thanks to reports from attentive citizens.

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