E-scooter without insurance: Police stop Polish driver in Zittau!

E-scooter without insurance: Police stop Polish driver in Zittau!

On June 3, 2025, at around 5:15 p.m., a joint task force of the federal and state police in Zittau, Saxony, stopped an e-scooter driver who was traveling without the necessary documents. The 44-year-old man from Poland did not have a moped license, which would have been required to use his e-scooter. Additionally, the vehicle was not insured, which got him into serious legal trouble.

The e-scooter, which can reach a top speed of 35 km/h, was traveling without an insurance license plate. The driver now has to answer for driving without a license and violating the compulsory insurance law. The investigation was started by the Zittau-Oberland police station.

Relevant laws and regulations

In Germany, the use and regulations for e-scooters are subject to the provisions of the Small Electric Vehicle Ordinance (EKfV). According to current regulations, e-scooters must have an operating license in order to be legally driven in public traffic. Furthermore, liability insurance is a prerequisite for use. This is proven by a blue insurance sticker on the vehicle.

Planned new regulations, which are due to come into force in 2025 and include a transition period of one year, aim to increase road safety. In the future, e-scooters will be treated equally to bicycles, which means that they will be allowed to drive where cycling is permitted. On sidewalks and in pedestrian zones they are only allowed to travel at walking speed.

Road safety and fines

The rules for e-scooter riders are strict, especially regarding the consumption of alcohol. The alcohol limit values ​​correspond to the regulations for drivers: at 0.5 to 1.09 per mille a violation is punished as a misdemeanor, from 1.1 per mille there is a risk of a criminal offense. There is a strict 0.0 blood alcohol limit for young drivers under 21.

The fines for violations are variable and range from 15 to 180 euros, depending on the seriousness of the offense. For example, driving without an insurance license plate is punished with 40 euros, while driving without a operating license is punished with 70 euros. These measures are intended to help ensure road safety for all road users.

In summary, the incident in Zittau illustrates the importance of adhering to the applicable regulations for e-scooters in order not only to avoid legal consequences, but also to ensure your own safety on the road. Further information about e-scooters and their regulations can be found at Picture and ADAC.