Over the past four years, nearly 800 children have been apprehended for driving or riding without insurance, with the proliferation of e-scooters being cited as a contributing factor.
An analysis of official statistics by the road safety organization IAM RoadSmart indicates that one in 10 of these children were 14 years old or younger.
DVLA data reveals that last year, 375 children between the ages of 13 and 16 received an IN10 endorsement – the violation code for operating an uninsured vehicle – compared to just 17 in 2021.
Despite the growing popularity of e-scooters, they remain illegal on public roads and in public spaces, making it impossible to obtain insurance for them.
IAM RoadSmart emphasizes that as a result, law enforcement will impound these vehicles, and the rider will face penalties for not having insurance.
The only legal way to use e-scooters on roads is through designated trials in 22 regions in England, typically requiring the rider to be 16 or older. There are currently no rental programs for e-scooters in Scotland or Wales.
IAM RoadSmart points out the dilemma surrounding e-scooters: «While it is unlawful to ride a privately-owned e-scooter on public roads, they are readily available for purchase,» stated Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards.
«The government must promptly introduce legislation on private e-scooters, including minimum device standards, speed limiters, and mandatory rider competency requirements,» he added.
The charity estimates that over 750,000 private e-scooters have been purchased, some as gifts for children, leading parents to mistakenly believe they can be used on public roads.
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Furthermore, the incidence of uninsured driving and riding among young drivers continues to rise, attributed to the high cost of insurance by IAM RoadSmart.
The organization’s FOI request to the DVLA uncovered 7,234 IN10 endorsements issued to individuals aged 17-21 last year, more than double the 3,340 total in 2021.
In contrast, the number of individuals over 22 receiving IN10 endorsements has decreased since 2021.