E-scooter, e-bike and PEV laws in Illinois
In Illinois, e-scooters are legal: max 10 mph (16 km/h), minimum age 18, helmet not required, no insurance required.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often; confirm with the local transport authority before riding.
Code US-IL (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: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
← 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 | 10 mph (until 31 Dec 2026)2,1,3,4 |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Weight limit | — |
| Minimum age | 18 (16 from 1 Jan 2027)2,1,3,4 |
| Helmet | None statewide (Chicago rental rules)1 |
| Where you can ride | Roads with limits up to 35 mph only where the municipality authorizes; no state highways; sidewalks local1 |
| Licence & registration | No licence, registration or insurance1 |
| Insurance | No insurance required1 |
| Plate / sticker | Not required1 |
| Penalties & alcohol | DUI applies1 |
| Notes | SB 3484 (P.A. 104-0854), signed 26 Aug 2026, effective 1 Jan 2027: statewide rules replace local ordinances; low-speed standing e-scooters for riders 16+ on paths, bike lanes and roads (reports differ on the new speed cap, 15 or 20 mph); scooters able to exceed 28 mph need a licence, registration and insurance.2,3,4 |
"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 Illinois?
E-bikes
Pedelecs, speed pedelecs and throttle e-bikesBased on published secondary sources| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.2,5,3,4 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | Class 1-2: 20 mph assist; Class 3: 28 mph assist2,5,3,4 |
| Power & device limits | 750 W2,5,3,4 |
| Minimum age | Class 1-2: none (15 from 1 Jan 2027); Class 3: 162,5,3,4 |
| Helmet | None statewide2,5,3,4 |
| Where you can ride | Roads, bike lanes, paths (park/forest districts may restrict); sidewalks prohibited statewide2,5,3,4 |
| Licence & registration | No licence, registration or insurance2,5,3,4 |
| Penalties & alcohol | From 1 Jan 2027 devices over 28 mph or 750-8,000 W are motor vehicles: driver licence, registration, insurance and title (pre-2027 purchases need not be titled)2,5,3,4 |
| Notes | SB 3484 (signed 26 Aug 2026, effective 1 Jan 2027) also preempts local e-bike rules (home-rule cities included) and limits under-18 riders to carrying family members as passengers.2,5,3,4 |
Other PEVs
Hoverboards, electric unicycles, e-skateboards, SegwaysBased on published secondary sources| Status | Varies locally — Depends on the state, province or city.2,3,4 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | — |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Minimum age | — |
| Helmet | — |
| Where you can ride | — |
| Licence & registration | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | — |
| Notes | From 1 Jan 2027 (SB 3484) high-speed EUCs, e-skateboards and e-scooters able to exceed 28 mph need a licence, registration and insurance; low-speed devices follow the statewide micromobility rules.2,3,4 |
What changed
- Jan 1, 2027Not yet in force (as of Oct 13, 2026)statewide micromobility rules take effect
- Aug 26, 2026In forceSB 3484 (P.A. 104-0854) signed
Frequently asked questions
- Are electric scooters legal in Illinois?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), yes. E-scooters are legal in Illinois under a specific framework. Where you can ride: Roads with limits up to 35 mph only where the municipality authorizes; no state highways; sidewalks local.
- What is the e-scooter speed limit in Illinois?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), e-scooters in Illinois are limited to 10 mph (16 km/h).
- Do you need a helmet to ride an e-scooter in Illinois?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), helmet not required (None statewide (Chicago rental rules)).
- What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in Illinois?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 13, 2026), the minimum age is 18.
- Do e-scooters need insurance or a plate in Illinois?
- 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.Capitol News Illinois - new e-bike and scooter rules (26 Aug 2026)Capitol News Illinois · News · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 3.RideApart - Illinois e-bike law explainerRideApart · News · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 4.Chicago Sun-Times - Pritzker signs e-bike billChicago Sun-Times · News · Opened or seen as a search excerpt (not recorded which) · read Oct 13, 2026
- 5.ERideHero - Electric Bike Laws by State (verified Feb 2026)ERideHero · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
- 6.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
- 7.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
US state entries derived from ERideHero's state law maps (eridehero.com, verified February 2026).