Do you need a driving license to operate an electric scooter? Does it require insurance? Can it be used on public roads? These are the most frequent – and most misunderstood – questions for those considering purchasing a mobility aid, especially following the 2024-2026 updates regarding electric kick scooters.
The short answer is that if the scooter is a certified medical device, it is not considered a vehicle by the Highway Code: no license, license plate, road tax, helmet, or mandatory insurance is required. In this guide, we'll explain why, where it can be used, and how to operate it safely, with references to updated regulations. For tax information, please see the guide on Law 104 and tax benefits; for a complete overview, start with the electric scooter guide.
Why medical scooters are not vehicles
The basic principle stems from Article 46 of the Highway Code (Legislative Decree 285/1992, modified by Law 120/2010). This rule states that all machines driven by humans that circulate on roads are vehicles, but it expressly excludes from this definition "machines for the use of disabled persons, classified as medical aids according to current community provisions, even if motor-assisted."
In other words: an electric mobility scooter, if classified as a medical aid, is not a vehicle. This classification determines all the practical consequences discussed in this guide.
⚖️ Regulations — when a scooter is "not a vehicle"
For this equivalence to apply, the device must be a genuine medical device for personal mobility assistance: manufactured and certified according to European regulations on medical devices (EU Regulation 2017/745), CE marked, and registered in the Medical Device Repertory of the Ministry of Health, while remaining within the technical limits specified by Article 196 of the Highway Code's implementing regulation. Exceeding those limits would classify the device as a vehicle.
Where an electric scooter can be used
Since it is not a vehicle, a medical scooter is equated to a pedestrian. This is stipulated in Article 190, paragraph 7 of the Highway Code, which states that machines for the use of disabled persons, even if motor-assisted, may circulate on parts of the road reserved for pedestrians.
| Where | How to behave |
|---|---|
| Sidewalks and pedestrian areas | Yes, with careful speed and at walking pace in the presence of other pedestrians. |
| Edge of the carriageway | Only if sidewalks and verges are absent, obstructed, or insufficient; typically on the opposite side of vehicle traffic. |
| Pedestrian crossings | Cross as a pedestrian, using crosswalks, underpasses, and overpasses. |
| Cycle paths | Where permitted by road authorities. |
| Carriageway with traffic | No: it is not a vehicle and does not enter the flow of motor vehicles. |
Is a driving license required?
No. Not being a vehicle, a medical scooter does not require any driving license, of any category. This clearly distinguishes it from vehicles designed for road circulation: minicar (light quadricycles), for example, are vehicles in all respects and require at least an AM license.
License plate, road tax, registration, and helmet
Also as a consequence of its classification as a medical aid, the scooter is exempt from registration, license plates, road tax, and helmet requirements. These devices, intended for people with mobility issues, are not subject to homologation as road vehicles (in line with what was already clarified by Transport Ministerial Decree of January 31, 2003) and therefore do not incur the associated obligations.
Is insurance mandatory?
No. This is the point of most confusion, partly due to the expansion of mandatory third-party liability insurance decided at the European level. Legislative Decree 184/2023, which implemented EU Directive 2021/2118 by modifying the Private Insurance Code, extended the insurance obligation to new categories of vehicles, but expressly excludes wheelchairs and aids intended exclusively for persons with disabilities. Therefore, a medical scooter, as an aid and not a vehicle, remains outside this obligation.
⚖️ Regulations. The changes introduced by Legislative Decree 184/2023 and the related operational clarifications (including the circular from the Ministry of Interior on February 8, 2024) have redefined the concept of a vehicle for insurance purposes, confirming the exclusion of aids for persons with disabilities from mandatory third-party liability insurance.
👨⚕️ Our advice. Although not mandatory, optional third-party liability insurance is highly recommended for those who use their scooter daily in crowded urban centers: it provides protection against accidental damage to third parties at a contained cost.
Be careful not to confuse four different types of vehicles
Much of the misunderstanding arises from lumping together devices that the law treats very differently. Here's the comparison.
| Device | License | Plate/Tax | Helmet | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical scooter (aid) | No | No | No | No (optional) |
| Electric kick scooter | No* | Tag | Yes | Yes (mandatory) |
| Minicar (light quadricycle) | Yes (AM) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Handbike | No | No | Rec. | Like a bicycle |
*The rules for kick scooters (tag/identification, helmet, insurance) derive from the innovations introduced by Law 177/2024 and do not concern medical scooters. The handbike, unlike the scooter for disabled people, is considered a bicycle/vehicle.
⚠️ Attention. The new 2024-2026 rules for kick scooters — tag/identification, helmet, and mandatory insurance — do not apply to scooters and wheelchairs classified as mobility aids. Those who confuse the two types of devices risk assuming obligations that simply do not exist for medical scooters.
Correct behavior and safety
Being equated to a pedestrian implies rights but also responsibilities. Here are some good practices for safe circulation:
- always maintain a moderate pace, reducing speed to walking pace where there are pedestrians;
- give precedence at crossings without traffic lights and cross perpendicularly where there are no crosswalks;
- use lights and reflectors during evening hours and in conditions of poor visibility;
- wear highly visible clothing and, if available, use the device's turn signals;
- avoid overly uneven surfaces, steep slopes, or routes unsuitable for the scooter's stability;
- periodically check brakes, battery, and tires before going out.
What to check before purchasing
To ensure that the scooter truly benefits from the favorable rules, before purchasing, it is advisable to verify that the manufacturer declares and certifies that the device:
- is a medical device for personal mobility assistance, compliant with EU Regulation 2017/745 and CE marked;
- is registered in the Repertory of medical devices of the Ministry of Health;
- complies with the technical limits specified by Article 196 of the Highway Code's implementing regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a driving license for an electric scooter for seniors or disabled people?
No. If it is classified as a medical aid, it is not a vehicle and does not require any license.
Do I have to insure my medical scooter?
No, there is no mandatory third-party liability insurance. However, an optional policy is advisable for daily use.
Do the new rules on kick scooter insurance also apply to scooters?
No. The obligations introduced for kick scooters by Law 177/2024 do not concern scooters and wheelchairs classified as mobility aids.
Can I use it on the carriageway with traffic?
No. The scooter is equated to a pedestrian: it circulates on sidewalks and pedestrian areas and, where these are absent, on the edge of the carriageway, crossing like a pedestrian.
Is a helmet required?
No. Not being a vehicle, a medical scooter does not require a helmet.
Do I have to pay road tax or get a license plate?
No. Registration, license plates, and road tax are not required for mobility aids.
What speed can I maintain?
A careful pace, at walking speed in the presence of pedestrians. The device must also remain within the technical limits that allow it to be classified as an aid and not a vehicle.
How do I know if my scooter is "in compliance"?
It must be a CE-marked medical device (EU Regulation 2017/745), registered in the Medical Device Repertory, and fall within the limits of Article 196 of the Highway Code Regulation. The manufacturer or retailer must be able to attest to this.
Conclusions
The regulations concerning electric mobility scooters are, in fact, favorable: precisely because they are medical aids and not vehicles, they do not require a driving license, license plate, road tax, helmet, or mandatory insurance, and they can circulate like a pedestrian. The essential condition is only one: that it is a certified and compliant medical device.
Verifying this classification at the time of purchase is the best way to move around serenely and in full compliance with the rules. To help you choose the right model and verify the requirements, the Z.A.M.I. Medical Care team is available for a dedicated consultation.
The information contained in this guide is for informational purposes and refers to the regulations in force at the time of publication (Highway Code, Arts. 46 and 190, Legislative Decree 285/1992; Law 120/2010; Art. 196 of the Implementing Regulation, Presidential Decree 495/1992; Legislative Decree 184/2023 implementing EU Directive 2021/2118; EU Regulation 2017/745 on medical devices). Provisions may change over time: for your specific situation, it is advisable to contact the competent authorities.
