Starting September 1, 2026, owners and users of electric scooters in Slovakia will face new, much stricter rules. Powerful models that can reach speeds over 25 km/h will be illegal on public roads. Violators will face not only high fines but also a potential ban on driving vehicles.
These changes are part of a major amendment to the Road Traffic Act, approved by parliament. The main goal is to increase safety on roads and sidewalks, where the number of incidents involving electric scooters has significantly increased in recent years. According to police data, 89 such accidents were recorded last year alone, resulting in 12 people suffering serious injuries.
What exactly is changing from September 1?
The key innovation concerns not the actual speed of travel, but the scooter's design capabilities. From now on, only models whose maximum speed, declared by the manufacturer, does not exceed 25 km/h will be legally allowed on roads.
This means that a software speed limit on a more powerful scooter will not help avoid punishment. During checks, the police will focus on the manufacturer's sticker (výrobný štítok) and the model's technical specifications.
The main restrictions that will take effect are:
- Maximum design speed: 25 km/h.
- Place to ride: Mainly bicycle paths. If there are none, then the right edge of the roadway.
- Riding on sidewalks: Forbidden, except when directly permitted by a relevant road sign.
- Minimum driver age: 15 years.
- Ban on seats: The electric scooter must not have a seat installed.
What fines do violators face?
Using an electric scooter that does not meet the new requirements will be classified as operating a vehicle not permitted for use. This is a serious violation with strict penalties.
According to the law, the fine for such an offense can range from 150 to 800 euros. If the fine is issued on the spot (v blokovom konaní), its amount can reach 650 euros. In addition to financial punishment, the driver may face a ban on driving vehicles for up to three years.
It is important to understand: it will not be possible to legalize a powerful electric scooter, for example, by registering it as a moped. The Ministry of Interior has clearly explained that vehicles without seats cannot be classified as motorcycles.
What should owners of powerful electric scooters do?
For tens of thousands of scooter owners whose vehicles can go faster than 25 km/h, the new rules create a serious problem. In fact, from September, their transport will become illegal for use on roads, bike paths, and sidewalks in Slovakia.
The only legal place to use such models will remain private property. Selling such a scooter on the secondary market in Slovakia will also become significantly more difficult. Owners will have to either get rid of such transport or use it exclusively outside of public roads.
The new rules are part of a general European trend towards stricter regulation of micro-mobility transport. As Slovak experts note, the 25 km/h limit is a standard in many EU countries and is considered an optimal compromise between travel speed and safety. You can read more about the changes in the STVR publication.
