2025 Delaware Code
Title 21 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter XII. Operation of Bicycles and Other Human-Powered Vehicles; Operation of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices
§ 4198Q. Operation of low-speed motorized scooters.
(a) Except as specifically provided in this section, a low-speed motorized scooter or an operator of a low-speed motorized scooter is afforded all the rights and privileges, and is subject to all the duties, of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle.
(b) A low-speed motorized scooter or a person operating a low-speed motorized scooter is not subject to the provisions of this Code relating to financial responsibility or insurance, driver's licenses, registration, certificates of title, off-highway vehicles, and license plates.
(c) On and after January 1, 2026, manufacturers and distributors of low-speed motorized scooters must apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each low-speed motorized scooter. The label must contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor power of the low-speed motorized scooter, and must be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.
(d) No person may tamper with or modify a low-speed motorized scooter to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of a low-speed motorized scooter, unless the label indicating the classification required in subsection (c) of this section is replaced after modification.
(e) A low-speed motorized scooter must comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for electrically operated toys or other electrically operated articles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. Part 1505).
(f) A low-speed motorized scooter may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed, including streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, bikeways (including bikeways established pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 17) and bicycle or multi-use paths except for all the following:
(1) A local authority or state agency that has jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a low-speed motorized scooter if the local authority or state agency finds, after notice and a public hearing, that the restriction is necessary for safety reasons or compliance with other laws or legal obligations.
(2) A local authority or state agency that has jurisdiction over a trail that is specifically designated as nonmotorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials may prohibit the operation of a low-speed motorized scooter on that trail.
(3) Sidewalks, including those permitted to be used by bicycles.
(g) All operators and passengers of a low-speed motorized scooter under the age of 18 years old must wear an approved, properly fitted, and fastened bicycle helmet. For the purposes of this subsection, “approved helmet” has the meaning provided in § 4198K(a) of this title. The requirement to wear a helmet is subject to the provisions of § 4198K(b)-(f) of this title.
(h) No low-speed motorized scooters may be operated as part of a rental service.
(i) A person must be at least 14 years old to operate a low-speed motorized scooter.
85 Del. Laws, c. 161, § 3;
