Police stop e-scooter driver: missing green license plate!

Police stop e-scooter driver: missing green license plate!

In the past few days, the police in the Rhein-Erft district have carried out extensive checks on e-scooters in order to increase road safety. On Tuesday, July 8th, several vehicles were checked in the cities of Elsdorf and Brühl. It turned out that in three cases there was no valid insurance cover, which led the officials to take further measures.

The checks were carried out as part of road safety measures after it became known that the blue insurance plates, which were valid until March 1 this year, had lost their legitimacy. Starting from the current insurance year, which runs from March 1, 2025 to February 29, 2026, green license plates are now required. This means that e-scooters and similar vehicles without the current license plate may no longer be operated on the road, which is a criminal offense under the Compulsory Insurance Act.

Penalties for drivers without insurance

During the checks, a 34-year-old and a 46-year-old driver were stopped in Elsdorf around 9:35 a.m. In Brühl, on the other hand, a 59-year-old driver was hit around 6:45 p.m. who was driving on Carl-Schurz-Straße without a license plate. All three drivers were banned from continuing their journey. You now face criminal charges while the traffic commissioner continues to investigate.

The situation sheds light on the urgent need to comply with the new regulations regarding insurance coverage and license plate requirements. Driving without a valid license plate not only results in legal consequences, but also loss of insurance coverage, which can significantly increase the potential financial consequences for affected drivers.

Overview of the new license plate requirement

From March 1st each year, owners of mopeds, mopeds and e-scooters must apply for a new license plate. This usually happens with motor vehicle insurers, whereby the old insurance automatically ends after one year. The license plate color changes annually, and green license plates will be required in 2025. It is particularly important to note that vehicles such as scooters with a displacement of up to 50 cc, mopeds with the appropriate operating license and small electric vehicles such as Segways also fall under this regulation.

The average cost of motor vehicle liability insurance is around 45 euros, while partially comprehensive insurance premiums can range between 80 and 100 euros. For some drivers, especially younger ones, these premiums can be even higher.

The current police checks not only serve to ensure compliance with the regulations, but also contribute to the safety of all road users in the Rhein-Erft district. It remains important to find out about the current regulations and take the necessary steps to comply with insurance obligations.

For more information on these topics, please contact Cologne City Gazette as well as Financial tip be consulted.