Russia is examining the idea of requiring a driving license for electric scooter users, a move reportedly backed by lawmakers and cited by URA News. The proposal centers on bringing electric mobility into the same regulatory framework as traditional vehicles, a shift many see as a way to improve road safety and accountability on shared streets. Dmitry Gusev, a senior figure in the State Duma Control Committee and a leading member of the Fair Russia – For Truth faction, has publicly supported the notion of introducing a minimum age for scooter operation and granting licenses that reflect different levels of riding responsibility. The intention behind this stance is to ensure that riders have a basic understanding of traffic rules and a sense of accountability while using lightweight electric personal transport. In practice, this would align scooters with other motorized options on the road and could lead to lighter licensing categories that still recognize rider maturity and capability. Gusev emphasized that from age sixteen onward, individuals should be treated similarly to other vehicle operators, with the possibility of earning a scaled license rather than full operator status. This perspective aims to balance youthful mobility with safety considerations and legal clarity for all road users, according to URA News reporting.
As reported at the end of April, the State Duma proposed placing license plates on electric scooters and related devices such as electric skateboards, gyroscopic devices, Segways, unicycles, and similar personal transport tools. The proposed approach would require a SIM card-like registration for each device through the State Services portal, with a ten-day window after purchase for registration. Under this plan, residents would not need to visit traffic police offices for registration, and the process would be established through a separate regulatory decision. The registration would likely create a traceable link between the device, owner, and legal use on public roads, potentially helping authorities manage traffic safety and accountability in crowded urban environments. This development has drawn attention from safety advocates and policymakers who stress the need for clear rules as micro-mobility options proliferate in cities across the country, according to URA News.
Earlier discussions within the Ministry of Internal Affairs highlighted that the road network may not yet be fully prepared for a rapid expansion of electric scooters. The concerns encompass matters such as dedicated riding lanes, speed limits, and enforcement mechanisms, as well as the readiness of municipalities to implement standardized registration and licensing regimes. Critics warn that without adequate infrastructure and consistent enforcement, the introduction of licenses or plates could create administrative complexity without delivering proportional safety benefits. Proponents, however, argue that a formal legal framework can reduce ambiguities, promote responsible riding, and help researchers collect data on usage patterns and safety outcomes. The interplay between infrastructure readiness and regulatory measures remains a central topic as these proposals move through legislative and executive channels, according to URA News reporting.