Surge in E-Scooter Related Insurance Offences Among UK Children
Data reveals almost 800 children penalised for uninsured driving since 2020; calls for legislative reform intensify.
The number of children aged 13 to 16 penalised for driving without insurance in the UK has significantly increased, with e-scooters being largely attributed to this rise.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request by the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart indicates that nearly 800 children in this age group have received an IN10 endorsement since the beginning of 2020. This endorsement is specifically designated by police for 'using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks.' Notably, there were no recorded cases in 2020; however, by the year 2024, annual cases reached 375.
E-scooters currently occupy a controversial position in UK law.
While they are prohibited from being used on pavements and public land, operation on roadways requires insurance.
However, it remains impossible for users to acquire coverage for privately owned e-scooters, creating a legal grey area that complicates compliance.
In addition to the rising stats for younger users, the overall number of drivers aged 17 to 24 facing penalties for lack of insurance surged dramatically, jumping from 532 in 2020 to a peak of approximately 20,026 in 2023, before decreasing to around 13,556 in 2024. The charity IAM RoadSmart suggests that the observed rise in penalties could be connected to a high volume of children using e-scooters illegally.
Furthermore, a significant increase in insurance costs is also believed to contribute to the surge in offences.
Pearson Ham Group reports that while insurance premiums saw a decline in 2024, they remained 21% higher than they were in 2020, suggesting that increased costs may be a factor discouraging insurance purchase among young drivers.
IAM RoadSmart described the number of young individuals caught driving or riding without insurance as 'shocking.' Nicholas Lyes, the director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, urged for swift legislative action regarding private e-scooters.
He emphasized the importance of establishing minimum technical standards, implementing speed limiters, and requiring a basic competency level for riders.
In response to these developments, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson noted that the government is taking steps to address the e-scooter legal framework but reminded the public that private e-scooters are still illegal on public roads.
Additionally, the DfT's strategy aims to address high car insurance expenses, having formed a cross-government taskforce dedicated to exploring ways to stabilize or reduce premiums.
The calls for reform also include suggestions for a zero-rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) on policies for young drivers under the age of 25 who complete an approved driving or riding course, as well as the establishment of a Young Drivers Taskforce within the DfT.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request by the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart indicates that nearly 800 children in this age group have received an IN10 endorsement since the beginning of 2020. This endorsement is specifically designated by police for 'using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks.' Notably, there were no recorded cases in 2020; however, by the year 2024, annual cases reached 375.
E-scooters currently occupy a controversial position in UK law.
While they are prohibited from being used on pavements and public land, operation on roadways requires insurance.
However, it remains impossible for users to acquire coverage for privately owned e-scooters, creating a legal grey area that complicates compliance.
In addition to the rising stats for younger users, the overall number of drivers aged 17 to 24 facing penalties for lack of insurance surged dramatically, jumping from 532 in 2020 to a peak of approximately 20,026 in 2023, before decreasing to around 13,556 in 2024. The charity IAM RoadSmart suggests that the observed rise in penalties could be connected to a high volume of children using e-scooters illegally.
Furthermore, a significant increase in insurance costs is also believed to contribute to the surge in offences.
Pearson Ham Group reports that while insurance premiums saw a decline in 2024, they remained 21% higher than they were in 2020, suggesting that increased costs may be a factor discouraging insurance purchase among young drivers.
IAM RoadSmart described the number of young individuals caught driving or riding without insurance as 'shocking.' Nicholas Lyes, the director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, urged for swift legislative action regarding private e-scooters.
He emphasized the importance of establishing minimum technical standards, implementing speed limiters, and requiring a basic competency level for riders.
In response to these developments, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson noted that the government is taking steps to address the e-scooter legal framework but reminded the public that private e-scooters are still illegal on public roads.
Additionally, the DfT's strategy aims to address high car insurance expenses, having formed a cross-government taskforce dedicated to exploring ways to stabilize or reduce premiums.
The calls for reform also include suggestions for a zero-rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) on policies for young drivers under the age of 25 who complete an approved driving or riding course, as well as the establishment of a Young Drivers Taskforce within the DfT.
