Traffic Rule Changes and Cautions for Electric Scooters Due to 2023 Law Changes

Effective July 1, 2023, new traffic rules have been applied to electric Scooters due to a legal amendment. Until now, electric scooters have been subject to the rules for mopeds, but a new category of “specified mopeds” will be established, which will allow for more relaxed rules and easier use of electric scooters.

We would like to briefly introduce what changes have been made to the rules for electric scooters as a result of this amendment to the law.

First, the most significant change in the law on July 1, 2023, is that the classification of mopeds will be expanded from one to two.

(1) “General Motorized Bicycles (“General Mopeds”) (existing category)

Motorcycles with an engine displacement of 125 cc or less are defined as mopeds. Of these, motorcycles with an engine displacement of 50 cc or less are classified as “Class 1 motorized bicycles” and motorcycles with an engine displacement of over 50 cc but under 125 cc are classified as “Class 2 motorized bicycles”. Until the law was revised, electric scooters were treated as “general mopeds,” and of course, they had to meet certain requirements for operation, such as a license.

(2) “Specified small motorized bicycles (“specified mopeds”)” (expanded since July 1, 2023)

The law was amended on July 1, 2023, to expand the category of electric scooters meeting certain requirements from the existing “general mopeds” to “specified mopeds”.

Previously, the rules for mopeds applied, but the new classification will revise the conditions and make it easier to enjoy scootering.

Applicability Requirements

• Vehicles less than 190 cm in length and 60 cm in width
• Electric motor with a rated output of 0.6 kW or less
• Maximum speed is less than 20 km/h
• No structure that changes speed settings while the vehicle is in motion
• Vehicles with AT mechanism
• Equipped with maximum speed indicator light
• Installed with safety parts specified in the Road Transport Vehicle Act

To be certified as a specified moped, a number of requirements must be met such as those described above.

On the other hand, certified specific moped vehicles can benefit from “recommended (but not mandatory) helmet use,” “bicycle lane access,” and “no driver’s license required,” making it easier to use electric Scooters.

In addition, among the specified mopeds, those that meet all of the following requirements (1) through (5) may be approved as “specially excepted specified small motorized bicycles (hereinafter referred to as “specially excepted specified mopeds”). If a moped is approved as a “specially excepted specified moped,” it will be able to pass on sidewalks, making the electric Scooter even easier to use.

[Requirement]:

(1) Flashing maximum speed indicator light while passing on sidewalks, etc.

(2) While the maximum speed indicator light is flashing, the vehicle is structurally designed in such a way that cannot exceed 6 kilometers per hour.

*If a specified small motorized bicycle is limited to a top speed of 6 kilometers per hour only by operating the throttle, it would not suffice to meet this requirement and therefore would not be qualified as a specially excepted specified small motorized bicycle.

(3) No sidecar attached.

(4) The brake must be in a position that can be easily operated while driving.

(5) No sharp protruding parts

Cautions when driving a specific moped

(1) You cannot just drive a specific moped after you bought it; you must have liability insurance and a license plate, just like a regular moped, and you must be at least 16 years old.

(2) Specified mopeds are allowed on roadways and bicycle lanes, and are not allowed on sidewalks. The green maximum speed indicator light must be turned on while riding. Specified mopeds must also obey traffic rules, must make a two-step right turn, and are subject to penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or distracted driving. In addition, lending or transferring a specified moped to a person under 16 years of age is prohibited.

The category of mopeds called “specially excepted specified mopeds” is subject to more lenient traffic rules than specified mopeds and is allowed to pass on sidewalks. However, specially excepted specified mopeds are only allowed to go up to 6 km/h or less, and the maximum speed indicator light must flash when passing on sidewalks.

Regarding violation penalties

You may be thinking, “Isn’t this law looser than that of riding a bicycle, with no helmet and no license required?” But that would be a dangerous way of thinking. While electric Scooters are easy to ride, there are some severe penalties for breaking the law riding it.

<Example of penalties>

(1) Driving by a person under 16 years of age or providing a specified moped to a person under 16 years of age

　⇨ Up to 6 months imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 yen

(2) Drunk driving

　⇨ Up to 5 years imprisonment or up to 1,000,000 yen fine, etc.

(3) Two people riding the same vehicle

　⇨ Fines up to 50,000 yen, etc.

(4) Traffic signal violations

　⇨ Up to 3 months imprisonment or a fine of up to 50,000 yen, etc.

…

As an actual example, less than a week after the transition to the new system, a collision between a motorized scooter and a truck has already occurred.

The man driving the electric scooter was found to have alcohol in excess of the legal limit, and the police are investigating him for violations of the Road Traffic Law, so it can be expected that strict enforcement will persist.

If you are thinking of purchasing an electric scooter, please consider the above example of penalties, be sure to understand that it is important to check the rules for specified mopeds and specially excepted specified mopeds, and to drive in strict compliance with the traffic rules under the revised law.

It would be especially problematic for foreign residents in Japan if they are not careful with the law. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may be subject to deportation if you are sentenced to imprisonment or other punishment. Even minor violations can be detrimental to your application for renewal or change of status of residence, permanent residence, etc. if a record is kept.

Unlike automobiles, electric scooters do not have an exterior body or safety devices to protect the driver. Considering their susceptibility to serious accidents, please do not drive them care, instead drive them with the same or greater caution as that of driving a car!

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