Laws by state and city
Washington electric scooter laws
Washington uses the legal term "motorized foot scooter". The definition covers scooters with a top speed of no more than 20 mph. Each rule below is a summary of the official text.
Washington quick facts
- Legal term
- Motorized foot scooter
- Riding speed limit
- Not listed
- Top speed in the definition
- No more than 20 mph
- Motor power in the definition
- No limit in the definition
- Scooter weight in the definition
- No limit in the definition
- Wheel size in the definition
- No limit in the definition
Rules by topic
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Legal definition | Two or three wheels, handlebars, a floorboard to stand on, and a motor with a maximum speed of no more than 20 mph on level ground (RCW 46.04.336). |
| Wheel size | The current RCW sets no wheel size. The older State Patrol sheet says two wheels of 10 inches or less. The sources differ. Not confirmed. |
| Highways | Not allowed on a fully controlled limited access highway (RCW 46.61.710(3)). |
| Sidewalks | Not allowed, unless a sidewalk is the only way through as part of a bicycle or pedestrian path, or a local ordinance allows it (RCW 46.61.710(3)). |
| Bike lanes and paths | Allowed on shared-use paths and road space marked for bicycles, but cities and state agencies may restrict access (RCW 46.61.710(7)). |
| License and helmet | The State Patrol sheet says no driver license is needed and riders follow bicycle helmet laws. The RCW sections above do not state this. Not confirmed. |
The sources for these rules are linked at the bottom of this page.
Scooters over the limits in this definition
14 of the 18 scooters in the scooter table have a listed top speed or weight over a number in this definition. The table compares published numbers and is not a legal finding.
| Scooter | Spec over the definition |
|---|---|
| Apollo Phantom 2.0 (52V) | Top speed 44 mph is above 20 mph |
| Apollo City 2.0 | Top speed 32 mph is above 20 mph |
| Apollo Explore 2.0 | Top speed 25 mph is above 20 mph |
| Varla Eagle One V3.0 | Top speed 35 mph is above 20 mph |
| Varla Eagle One Pro | Top speed 45 mph is above 20 mph |
| Varla Pegasus | Top speed 28 mph is above 20 mph |
| Varla Falcon | Top speed 22 mph is above 20 mph |
| Kaabo Mantis King Pro | Top speed 37 mph is above 20 mph |
| Kaabo Warrior 11 Max | Top speed 50 mph is above 20 mph |
| Kaabo King GTR Max | Top speed 65 mph is above 20 mph |
| Ausom DT2 Pro | Top speed 42 mph is above 20 mph |
| Ausom L2 Max | Top speed 31 mph is above 20 mph |
| EMOVE Cruiser S 52V | Top speed 33 mph is above 20 mph |
| INMOTION S1F | Top speed 25 mph is above 20 mph |
Sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 46.61.710
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 46.04.336
- Washington State Patrol: Motorized Foot Scooter Resource Sheet, dated 07/11
This page is a summary of published rules and is not legal advice. Laws change and local ordinances can add rules. The official text at the linked source governs.