Slovenia’s New Electric Scooter Rules in 2025: What Every Rider Must Know

Only vehicles that are capped at 25 km/h are permitted; any high-powered scooters are prohibited in traffic, but can be used on private properties with owner's approval.

By evolt.si Podpora

August 18, 2025 8 min read

Slovenia’s New Electric Scooter Rules in 2025: What Every Rider Must Know

Classification as Light Motor Vehicles

In Slovenia, electric stand-up scooters (“e-skiroji”) are legally classified as “light motor vehicles” under traffic law. Since 2021, e-scooters have been defined as light motorized vehicles with a design speed up to 25 km/h policija.si. This classification (in Slovene “lahka motorna vozila”) covers e-scooters and similar devices that meet certain criteria (max speed 25 km/h, width under 80 cm) and are exempt from EU type-approval requirements uradni-list.si. In practice, this means e-scooters are recognized as a distinct vehicle category in road regulations (Policija, 2025). Importantly, devices that exceed these specifications are not considered light motor vehicles and are treated as higher-category motor vehicles (see Speed Limits below).

Speed Limits and Vehicle Specifications

Slovenian law sets 25 km/h as the maximum design speed for e-scooters. It is illegal to use any e-scooter that can exceed 25 km/h (or is wider than 80 cm) on public roads policija.si. In other words, only vehicles that are capped at 25 km/h are permitted; any faster “tuned” or high-powered scooters are prohibited in traffic, but can be used on private properties with owner's approval.

Violating this rule (e.g. riding an uncapped scooter capable of higher speeds) can result in a hefty fine of €250 uradni-list.si. The 25 km/h limit effectively serves as both the legal definition and speed ceiling for e-scooters on Slovenian roads (Policija, 2025). Beyond that, standard speed limits of the road still apply where one rides (e.g. in a 30 km/h zone, the lower limit prevails, but the scooter itself cannot go above 25).

Helmet Use Requirements by Age

Helmet use is mandatory for all e-scooter riders (and any passengers) under 18 years of age. According to the Road Traffic Rules Act, drivers of e-scooters must wear a properly fastened bicycle safety helmet until reaching 18 years old policija.si. This rule was introduced to improve safety, as younger riders are particularly vulnerable; in fact, the helmet requirement was raised from age 14 to 18 in recent legislative updates uradni-list.si amzs.si.

Failing to wear a helmet when required is an offense that can be punished by a fine (approximately €120 for minors) vozimse.si. Although adults (18+) are not legally obliged to wear a helmet, authorities strongly recommend all riders wear helmets for their own protection avp-rs.si. The police and traffic safety agency frequently emphasize that head injuries from e-scooter accidents are much more severe without a helmet avp-rs.si.

Permitted Road Use and Restrictions

E-scooters must operate on cycling infrastructure where available. Riders are required to use bicycle lanes, bike paths or cycle tracks whenever possible policija.si. If no bike-specific facility exists, e-scooters are allowed to ride on the rightmost edge of the roadway on urban streets with a speed limit up to 50 km/h policija.si. This essentially aligns e-scooter use with the rules for bicycles.

Notably, e-scooters may not ride on normal sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas except under special conditions. In designated pedestrian zones (e.g. mixed-use promenades), e-scooter riders are permitted to enter only at walking speed and must yield to pedestrians policija.si. The law explicitly states that in pedestrian areas, riders must adjust their manner and speed to avoid endangering anyone, and must not exceed the pace of a pedestrian policija.si.

Riding faster among pedestrians or on sidewalks is forbidden and considered a traffic offense. For example, an e-scooter going too quickly in a pedestrian zone can face a fine of about €160 for that infraction vozimse.si. In summary, bike lanes are the default for e-scooters, and use of footpaths is generally prohibited for the safety of pedestrians (Policija, 2025).

Age Restrictions for Minors

Slovenian law imposes clear age limits on who can ride an e-scooter on public roads. Children under 12 years old are not allowed to ride e-scooters in traffic at all policija.si.

Riders from 12 to 14 years old may operate a light motor vehicle (e-scooter) only if they have a valid “kolesarska izkaznica” (bicycle license), which indicates they passed a cycling proficiency exam policija.si. In practice, this means a 12–13-year-old must complete a certified bicycle safety course (usually offered in schools) before legally riding an e-scooter on the road. Once an individual is 14 or older, they may ride an e-scooter without any special permit (no driver’s license is required) policija.si.

These provisions are set out in the Drivers Act and traffic regulations, aiming to ensure that young riders have basic traffic knowledge and skills before riding. Violation of the age rule (e.g. an underage child caught riding, or a minor without a bicycle permit) can lead to fines – typically around €40 (often issued to the parent or guardian in the case of a child) vozimse.si vozimse.si. In summary, you must be at least 14 to ride an e-scooter alone, unless you are 12–13 with a bicycle permit; under-12s cannot ride them in public (Zakon o voznikih, 2022 uradni-list.si).

Registration and Insurance Requirements

One notable aspect of Slovenia’s e-scooter law is that registration and insurance are not required for standard e-scooters that meet the 25 km/h limit. Because e-scooters are defined as “light motor vehicles” outside the scope of EU Regulation 168/2013 (which governs type-approval and registration of motor vehicles), they do not need to be registered with license plates nor carry mandatory liability insurance uradni-list.si zps.si. In legal terms, an e-scooter is not treated as a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicles Act, so the usual registration procedures for motorcycles or cars do not apply (Policija, 2025). As long as the device qualifies as a light motor vehicle (max 25 km/h, etc.), the owner does not have to register it or purchase vehicle insurance to use it on public roads uradni-list.si.

However, it’s worth noting that if an e-scooter has been modified to go faster than 25 km/h, it would no longer fall in the unregistered category and would essentially be considered an illegal vehicle on the road policija.si. In 2025 there were discussions at the EU level about possibly requiring insurance for certain high-risk “personal mobility” devices, but as of current Slovenian law, insurance is voluntary (riders can optionally insure themselves or the device through personal liability policies, but it is not mandated by law) mojefinance.finance.si. Always ensure your e-scooter complies with the definition of a light motor vehicle to remain within the unregistered, no-insurance-needed class.

Ban on Mobile Phone and Headphone Use

E-scooter riders are banned from using mobile phones or headphones while riding, just like car drivers and cyclists. The law requires that while operating a vehicle, a rider must not engage in any activity that reduces their ability to perceive traffic (audibly or visually) or to control the vehicle uradni-list.si policija.si.

This rule effectively prohibits holding or talking on a phone, texting, or listening to music through earbuds/headphones during e-scooter travel. The police and traffic authorities highlight that wearing headphones or looking at a phone is extremely dangerous on an e-scooter, as it distracts the rider and diminishes awareness of surrounding pedestrians and traffic policija.si avp-rs.si. For instance, a rider absorbed in a phone screen or deafened by loud music may fail to notice a pedestrian crossing or a car’s horn.

Violating this ban is a punishable offense – e-scooter riders caught using a phone or headset can be fined €120 uradni-list.si vozimse.si (the same fine applies to cyclists for this behavior). The intent of the rule is to ensure riders stay alert; thus, “no phones, no earbuds” is the safe and legal mantra for e-scooter use (Policija, 2025).

Fines and Penalties for Infractions

Slovenia’s e-scooter regulations impose graduated fines for various violations, aiming to deter unsafe behavior. Below is an overview of key penalties (Policija, 2025; ZPrCP-F, 2021):

Riding in prohibited areas or improper manner – e.g. using an e-scooter on a roadway where it’s not allowed (failing to use a bike lane or riding on a road over 50 km/h limit), riding two abreast where not permitted, towing or pushing objects, carrying an additional person without an approved dual-seat design, or not having required lights/reflectors. These violations of e-scooter rules are typically fined with a €40 ticket for the rider uradni-list.si. For example, riding at night without lights or carrying a friend on the scooter could each result in a €40 fine. Parking an e-scooter carelessly so that it obstructs traffic is also subject to a €40 fine uradni-list.si.
Using an unauthorized vehicle – operating a scooter that does not meet the legal definition (faster than 25 km/h, too wide, no handlebar, etc.) carries a much higher penalty. €250 is the prescribed fine for using a prohibited device on the road uradni-list.si. In addition, such a vehicle would be confiscated or treated as unregistered. This hefty fine is meant to discourage the use of high-speed scooters or mini motorbikes that fall outside the light motor vehicle category.
Helmet and age violations – failing to wear a helmet when required (under 18) or allowing an underage child to ride unlawfully can result in fines. Not wearing a helmet (for a minor) can incur a fine around €120 vozimse.si. If a child 12–13 is caught riding without having a bicycle permit, a fine of €40 may be imposed on the guardian/rider vozimse.si. These penalties reinforce the importance of the helmet rule and age restrictions.
Mobile phone or headphones – as noted, using a phone or listening to music while riding is illegal. E-scooter riders (who do not require a driver’s license) face a €120 fine for this offense uradni-list.si vozimse.si. This is equivalent to the fine for cyclists; by contrast, motor vehicle drivers face even higher fines and license penalty points for phone use. The €120 fine is a substantial penalty designed to emphasize that distraction on an e-scooter can be deadly.

Finally, it should be noted that general traffic rules (and fines) that apply to all road users also apply to e-scooter drivers. For instance, riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited (the law demands 0.0‰ BAC for novice drivers and essentially for e-scooter riders as well) avp-rs.si, and can lead to fines or other sanctions similar to cycling under the influence. E-scooter riders are considered “drivers” in legal terms, so they must obey all road signs, traffic lights, and right-of-way rules; violations (running a red light, etc.) can result in the same fines that a cyclist would face. In summary, Slovenia’s e-scooter law is now comprehensive – it outlines where and how e-scooters can be used, who can ride them, equipment standards, and it backs these rules with fines ranging from modest (€40) to significant (€250) depending on the seriousness of the offense uradni-list.si vozimse.si. By adhering to these regulations, riders can avoid penalties and, more importantly, help keep the streets safer for everyone.

References

Policija. (2025a). Safe with e-scooter. Retrieved from https://www.policija.si
Policija. (2025b). Do 25. maja poteka akcija Mikromobilnost. Zaradi vožnje z e-skirojem vse več nesreč in poškodb [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.policija.si
Zakon o pravilih cestnega prometa (ZPrCP) – Road Traffic Rules Act. (2021). Uradni list RS, št. 123/2021. Retrieved from https://www.uradni-list.si
Zakon o voznikih (ZVoz-1) – Drivers Act. (2022). Uradni list RS, št. 85/2016, 67/2017, 92/2022, 153/2022. Retrieved from https://www.uradni-list.si
Agencija za varnost prometa. (2021). E-skiroji. Retrieved from https://www.avp-rs.si
Vozim se (AVP/AMZS). (2021). Omejitve in predpisi za električne skiroje. Retrieved from https://www.vozimse.si
Zveza potrošnikov Slovenije. (2021). Nova zakonodaja velja od 11. 8. 2021: Kje se lahko vozimo z električnimi skiroji? Retrieved from https://www.zps.si