Police could seize non-compliant electric scooters under proposed law

Police could gain the power to confiscate electric scooters that do not meet legal requirements under a proposed amendment to Estonia’s Traffic Act, ERR reports.

The bill is awaiting its second reading in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament. Under current law, police may temporarily remove non-compliant scooters from traffic and store them at a police station, but confiscation requires court approval. Courts have rejected every request submitted so far.

Electric scooters used on public roads may have a manufacturer-set maximum speed of 25 km/h and motor power of up to 1 kW. Police currently hold a scooter until a procedural decision is made, after which it is either returned to its owner or police may ask a court to confiscate it. The Police and Border Guard Board does not keep separate figures on how many scooters have been temporarily removed from traffic.

If the amendment passes, police could confiscate scooters that exceed either limit without first obtaining a court order. The decision would not be automatic: police would assess the circumstances of each case. Owners would not get confiscated scooters back.

The changes would take effect in March 2027 if adopted. The bill would also require 10 to 15-year-olds to hold at least a bicycle licence to ride an electric scooter on any road. A police traffic supervision official said the measures are intended to improve safety for young riders and pedestrians.