A teenager who repeatedly ignored police warnings against using his e-scooter on public roads and pavements has been fined and issued with points on his driving record.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court for repeatedly using his e-scooter around Devizes.

He had been issued with numerous warnings from police officers that what he was doing was illegal, but had ignored them.

Appearing in court last week, the boy pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a vehicle without insurance.

He was fined £40, his driving record was endorsed with six points and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £22.

These points will remain on record so if he learns to drive in the future, they will be on his licence.

His mother told the court that they no longer owned the e-scooter, so a forfeiture order was not required.

Inspector Al Lumley, from the Devizes Area Community Policing Team, said: “We had made it clear on a number of occasions that this boy was breaking the law by riding this e-scooter in a public place.

“Due to his repeated flouting of the rules and the fact that we believed his behaviour posed a risk to members of the public, particularly pedestrians in the town centre, we pursued prosecution.

“I hope this proves as a stark warning to those who are thinking of buying e-scooters for their children as Christmas presents – please ensure you know the law.”

Why are e-scooters illegal?

While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it is currently illegal to ride a privately-owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK.

The only place a privately-owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.

This is because the vehicles are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so so they are treated as motor vehicles.

This means they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle, in terms of insurance, tax, license, registration and vehicle construction, which in practice is virtually impossible.

The Government website reads: "If the user of a powered transporter could meet these requirements, it might in principle be lawful for them to use public roads.

"However, it is likely that they will find it very difficult to comply with all of these requirements, meaning that it would be a criminal offence to use them on the road."

Using a ‘motor vehicle’ on a road or other public place without the following could result in:

• Insurance – 6 points, £300 fine, seizure of vehicle

• Licence – penalty points, fine, seizure of vehicle

• Failing to comply with construction & use legislation – ranging from non-endorsable fixed penalty to being reported to court for using in a dangerous condition

• Impaired by alcohol/drugs – licence disqualification, fine or penalty points.

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