E-scooter, e-bike and PEV laws in California
In California, e-scooters are legal: max 15 mph (24 km/h), minimum age 16, helmet required under 18, no insurance required.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often; confirm with the local transport authority before riding.
Code US-CA (ISO 3166-2).
Last researched Oct 13, 2026 · values compiled from published secondary sources; none were checked against the text of a law.
- E-scooters: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- E-bikes: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- Other PEVs: Source unclearSources were read, but it was not recorded which values came from them.
← National overview for United States
E-scooters
Stand-up electric kick scootersBased on published secondary sources| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.1 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 15 mph (max operating speed)1 |
| Power & device limits | No wattage cap in definition1 |
| Weight limit | — |
| Minimum age | 161 |
| Helmet | Under 181 |
| Where you can ride | Bike lane required if available; roads up to 25 mph (up to 35 mph only in a Class II/IV bikeway); sidewalks prohibited1 |
| Licence & registration | Driver licence or learner's permit required; no registration or insurance1 |
| Insurance | No insurance required1 |
| Plate / sticker | Not required1 |
| Penalties & alcohol | DUI laws apply; no passengers1 |
| Notes | CVC 21235; left turns by dismounting.1 |
"Unconfirmed" = the source of that value was not recorded, or part of it was not taken from a source; "Not confirmed" = we have no sourced value, so none is shown. Footnote numbers point to the source list below.
Is this information correct for California?
E-bikes
Pedelecs, speed pedelecs and throttle e-bikesBased on published secondary sources| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.2 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | Class 1-2: 20 mph assist; Class 3: 28 mph assist (speedometer)2 |
| Power & device limits | 750 W2 |
| Minimum age | Class 1-2: None statewide; Class 3: 162 |
| Helmet | Under 18 (all classes); Class 3: all ages2 |
| Where you can ride | Roads and bike lanes; all classes allowed on bike paths and trails by default since 2023 (AB 1909), local authorities may restrict; sidewalks per city (statewide 10 mph sidewalk default from 1 Jan 2027)3,2,4,5,6 |
| Licence & registration | No licence, registration or insurance2 |
| Penalties & alcohol | Not confirmed |
| Notes | In force since 1 Jan 2026: batteries certified to UL 2849 / EN 15194 (SB 1271), rear red reflector or light at all times (AB 544), impound of non-compliant devices (AB 875). Signed in 2026, effective 1 Jan 2027: SB 1167 (devices outside the e-bike definition, such as e-motos over 28 mph, may not be sold as e-bikes), AB 2346 (retailers disclose class, top speed and age limits; locals may set 10-20 mph limits on paths; 10 mph sidewalk default; Class 2 speedometer and front/rear lights from 2029), AB 2595 (San Mateo County pilot barring under-12s from some e-bikes, to 2031).3,4,5,6 |
Other PEVs
Hoverboards, electric unicycles, e-skateboards, SegwaysSource unclear| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 15 mph on roads (board max design 20 mph)unconfirmed |
| Power & device limits | Under 1,000 Wunconfirmed |
| Minimum age | 16unconfirmed |
| Helmet | All ridersunconfirmed |
| Where you can ride | Roads with limits up to 35 mph; sidewalks per city/countyunconfirmed |
| Licence & registration | No licence or registrationunconfirmed |
| Penalties & alcohol | DUI laws applyunconfirmed |
| Notes | Electrically motorized boards (e-skateboards) legal since 2016 (AB 604). Hoverboards/EUCs not specifically defined.unconfirmed |
What changed
- Jan 1, 2027Not yet in force (as of Oct 13, 2026)SB 1167 and AB 2346 speed rules take effect
- Sep 30, 2026In forceSB 1167, AB 2346, AB 2595 signed
- Jan 1, 2026In forceSB 1271 battery certification, AB 544 rear light, AB 875 impound
Frequently asked questions
- Are electric scooters legal in California?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), yes. E-scooters are legal in California under a specific framework. Where you can ride: Bike lane required if available; roads up to 25 mph (up to 35 mph only in a Class II/IV bikeway); sidewalks prohibited.
- What is the e-scooter speed limit in California?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), e-scooters in California are limited to 15 mph (24 km/h).
- Do you need a helmet to ride an e-scooter in California?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), helmet required under 18.
- What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in California?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), the minimum age is 16.
- Do e-scooters need insurance or a plate in California?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), no insurance required; no plate is required.
Sources
- 1.ERideHero - Electric Scooter Laws by State (verified Feb 2026)ERideHero · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
- 2.ERideHero - Electric Bike Laws by State (verified Feb 2026)ERideHero · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
- 3.Ebike Oracle - 50 states + DC (reviewed Jul 2026)Ebike Oracle · Secondary · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 4.LAist/CalMatters - three new California e-bike laws (9 Oct 2026)LAist/CalMatters · News · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 5.Redtail - e-bike laws by state (verified 6 Oct 2026)Redtail · Secondary · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 6.Streetsblog California - SB 1167 signed (30 Sep 2026)Streetsblog California · News · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
US state entries derived from ERideHero's state law maps (eridehero.com, verified February 2026).