The Government is being urged to bring forward legislation on private e-scooters on the back of statistics showing nearly 800 children have been caught driving or riding without insurance over the last four years.
The data, published by IAM RoadSmart following an FOI request to DVLA, shows 375 children aged between 13 and 16 years were issued with an IN10 endorsement – the offence code for using an uninsured vehicle – last year.
This compares to just 17 in 2021.
The data also revealed that the number of IN10s handed to those aged 17-21 years, who are legally able to hold a licence, has increased in the last three years.
There was a 30% rise in the number of 17-year-olds caught driving or riding without insurance in 2024 compared to 2023, and a huge increase of more than 700% compared to 2021.
IAM RoadSmart has attributed the figures to a rise in the popularity of e-scooters.
Given it is illegal to use private e-scooters on public roads or in public spaces, it is not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, said: “The number of children caught driving or riding without insurance is shocking and is likely to be down to those riding e-scooters.
“Although it’s illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on public roads, they are widely available for sale. It’s estimated that more than 750,000 private e-scooters have been bought.
“The Government needs to urgently bring forward legislation on private e-scooters, which must include minimum type approval device standards, speed limiters and proposals for riders to have a minimum level of competency.”
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