Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

E-scooters

Thursday 8 January 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tom Hayes questioned the minister about record e-scooter seizures in Dorset and the involvement of drug dealers.
  • James Wild inquired about the 1 million privately owned illegal e-scooters and the Government's extension of e-scooter trials.
  • The minister stated that future e-scooter regulations, including potential registration requirements, will be subject to public consultation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Record numbers of e-scooter seizures have been reported in Dorset, causing concern among residents and local officials about antisocial behaviour and drug-related activities. Police and crime commissioner David Sidwick is prioritising tackling this issue.

Question

In Dorset, we have just seen record numbers of e-scooter seizures. The police and crime commissioner, David Sidwick, and I are prioritising tackling this issue, because not only is it a form of antisocial behaviour, but it is an ideal way for drug dealers to get around. Residents in Littledown and Iford are particularly concerned. I am pleased to hear the Minister say that if parliamentary time allows, he will bring forward a Bill. Can he say whether that Bill might include mandatory registration and identification plates for e-scooters, among other things?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

As part of any future legislation, any regulations—including potentially requiring registration or licence plates—will be publicly consulted on before they come into force.

Answered
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Q2 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Transport
Context

There are currently 1 million privately owned scooters in the UK, which are illegal to use on public roads. The extension of six-year-old e-scooter trials by two years has been criticised for not allowing people to legally use their e-scooters with proportionate regulation.

Question

There are 1 million privately owned scooters, which are illegal to use on public roads. I declare an interest, having bought one a few years ago in the expectation that I would be able to ride it legally by now, but that is permitted only under state-licensed schemes. Why have the Government extended trials that began six years ago by a further two years, rather than getting on with allowing people to use their e-scooters with proportionate regulation to deliver the benefits of micromobility, particularly in areas such as North West Norfolk that have limited public transport?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

The extension of our e-scooter trials will deepen our understanding of e-scooter safety, their impacts on disabled people and pedestrians, and how they can be better integrated with the wider transport systems in communities with different populations and geographies. Extending the trials will give the certainty needed by industry to continue investing in our trials and more time to learn how best to regulate e-scooters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timing or legal framework for allowing privately owned e-scooters

How: Deepening Understanding, Certainty Needed By Industry

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