From 1 March 2027, several rules for e-scooters change that will be noticeable in everyday use. The amendment to the Electric Micro Vehicle Regulation (Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung) affects equipment, brakes and warning fines. This guide explains what applies, to whom, and what it means for scooters already in use. Anyone riding a scooter today should know the key dates before they take effect.
Short answer: The amendment to the Electric Micro Vehicle Regulation was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) on 6 February 2026. The remaining articles enter into force on 1 March 2027. From 2027, duties apply to newly produced scooters, such as indicators and separately braked wheels. Vehicles already in use may continue to be used. Last updated: November 2026.
What matters most
- The amendment was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 6 February 2026.
- Its first article applies since 1 April 2026, the remaining articles since 1 March 2027.
- From 2027, newly produced scooters must have direction indicators, and multi-axle vehicles must have separately braked front and rear wheels.
- Existing scooters do not have to be retrofitted and may continue to be used.
- The warning fine for riding on pavements and for carrying more than one person on the vehicle rises from 1 March 2027.
What is the amendment and when does it apply?
The Electric Micro Vehicle Regulation sets out which technical and traffic-law requirements apply to e-scooters. The amendment, which the Federal Ministry of Transport explains on its website, was promulgated on 6 February 2026 in the Federal Law Gazette. It is therefore no longer a mere announcement but has been adopted. It takes effect in two stages.
This staging matters because not everything applies on the same day. The first article of the amendment has applied since 1 April 2026. The remaining rules, which are relevant for vehicles and warning fines, apply from 1 March 2027. You will find the exact wording of each article in the Federal Law Gazette.
The changes at a glance
The table below summarises the points that the ministry names for the new rules. Where the ministry gives no exact date or amount, we say so explicitly.
| Change | Applies from | Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Promulgation of the amendment | 06.02.2026 (Federal Law Gazette) | All e-scooter users as the legal basis |
| First article of the amendment | 01.04.2026 | Content as set out in the legal text |
| Remaining articles of the amendment | 01.03.2027 | Depends on the rule |
| Direction indicators (indicators) | From 2027, exact date not stated | Newly produced electric micro vehicles |
| Separately braked front and rear wheel | From 2027, exact date not stated | Multi-axle vehicles, mainly e-kick scooters |
| Warning fine for pavements and more than one person | 01.03.2027 | All users, amounts not stated |
What applies concretely from 1 March 2027?
On 1 March 2027, the warning fines rise for two offences. Riding on pavements is aligned with the standard rate for cycling traffic and is raised as a result. The warning fine for carrying more than one person on the vehicle is also raised. The ministry does not name specific amounts. If you want to know what an offence costs, check the official fine rules once the amount is published there.
This rule is particularly relevant for students, because riding a scooter with a second person happens in everyday life. Anyone who avoids it need not worry about the increase. Whether a pavement may be used is in any case a question of local rules and signage.
What does this mean for scooters already on the road?
Existing scooters generally remain permitted. The ministry makes clear that vehicles placed on the market before 2027 that do not yet meet the new requirements may continue to be used. There is no duty to retrofit them. The same applies to vehicles with a general operating permit or an individual operating permit.
The new technical rules therefore apply first to vehicles from model year 2027 onwards. When you buy a scooter, ask the seller which year it was built and whether it meets the new requirements. A used purchase is not ruled out, but it requires care with the details.
How should you prepare?
Even if your scooter is not affected, the changes are worth looking at. If you plan to buy a new scooter, check its equipment before purchase, because the duties apply to newly produced vehicles. Checking your own insurance is also sensible, since valid liability insurance remains compulsory regardless of equipment.
In practice, this means that the changes are staged, and 1 March 2027 is the date from which warning fines rise. Anyone who rides today without using pavements or carrying a passenger is not affected by the increase. Anyone who regularly rides with a second person or uses the pavement should reconsider that behaviour before March, even though the exact sum is still open.
Frequently asked questions
Does the amendment already apply today?
Partly. The first article has applied since 1 April 2026. The rules on warning fines and the remaining requirements begin on 1 March 2027. Anyone riding today does not yet have to observe the March 2027 changes, but should keep them in view.
Do I have to retrofit my scooter before March 2027?
According to the ministry, not. Existing vehicles may continue to be used, and the technical rules refer to newly produced scooters. If in doubt, check with your dealer or insurer whether your model is affected.
How high is the warning fine for riding on pavements?
The ministry names no amount, only the alignment with the standard rate for cycling traffic. The exact sum follows from the official rule. We do not name a figure here, because we cannot confirm it at the source.
Does the rule on more than one person also apply to shared scooters?
The increase concerns riding with more than one person on the vehicle. For shared scooters, the provider’s terms of use apply in addition. Whether rented scooters are treated differently is for the provider to clarify, not the regulation.
Where do I find the legal text?
The official source is the Federal Law Gazette. The website of the Federal Ministry of Transport offers an explanation of the amendment that shows its structure. For the binding wording, consult the promulgated text itself.
So what do you do now
- Check whether your scooter was placed on the market before 2027.
- When buying a new scooter, look for indicators and separate brakes, even though the exact duties apply from 2027.
- Avoid riding on pavements and carrying a second person until the change takes effect.
- Follow the promulgation and the fine rules in the Federal Law Gazette before relying on amounts.
Related reading
- Günstig unterwegs im Studium: Tickets, Roller und Führerschein im Überblick
- E-Scooter mit Blinker: Was für neue Roller ab 2027 gilt
- E-Scooter-Haftung: Was die neue Halterhaftung vorsieht
- E-Scooter-Versicherungskennzeichen: Was 2026 und 2027 gilt
- E-Scooter-Kennzeichen ab März 2027: Welche Farben vorgesehen sind
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
