What happens to your e-scooters now (1 July 2019)?

UPDATE [6 Aug 2019]: The PMD safety certification deadline has been moved forward to July 2020. All non-UL2272 certified devices will be auto-deregistered and cannot be used in public after July 2020. Users can continue to ride only UL2272 certified PMDs beyond the July 2020 deadline.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has adopted the UL2272 certification as the new fire safety standard for Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs). With the implementation of this new criteria comes a set of new rules and regulations for the usage of PMDs in Singapore, one of which being the compulsory registration of all  LTA approved non-UL2272 certified e-scooters as well as UL2272 certified electric scooters.

As of 1 July 2019, registration for non-UL2272 scooters is closed. This means that riding an unregistered non-UL2272 e-scooter on public paths is now illegal and you will be fined if caught doing so.

What is UL2272?

UL2272 is the international safety certification that is issued by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) of the United States to ensure an overall safer riding experience for all PMD users.

A PMD that is UL2272 certified would have been put through rigorous tests to ensure its durability and safety. Some of the tests include overcharging the batteries, repeated exposure to water, as well as exposure to extreme temperatures. 

According to LTA, any electric scooters that are not certified to the UL2272 safety standard are considered non-compliant devices, thus now are not allowed on public roads without registration with LTA.

Fines for riding unregistered non-UL2272 scooters

Non-UL2272 e-scooters bought secondhand after 1 July 2019 can no longer be registered with LTA. In addition, LTA will no longer accept the transfer of registered ownership of non-UL2272 certified e-scooters after 1 July 2019.

If you happen to get your hands on a non-UL2272 e-scooter now, you will not be able to ride it on any public paths or roads. This is because the registration for non-UL2272 e-scooters is not longer available and you will not be able to make a LTA identification sticker for your scooter, rendering it illegal for public use.

As for non-UL2272 e-scooters which have been registered before 1 July 2019, they will be auto-deregistered and cannot be used in Singapore after 31 December 2020.

Here are the following offences and fines related to the usage of e-scooters on public paths.

Offence	Penalty (new offender)	Penalty (repeat offender)
Riding PMD (eg. kick scooter, e-scooter, hoverboard, unicycle) on roads.	$2,000 fine/ 3 month jail time/ both	$5,000 fine/ 6 month jail term
Speeding (>10km/h on footpaths or >25km/h on shared paths and cycling paths)	$1,000 fine/ 3 months jail/ both	$2,000 fine/ 6 month jail term/ both
Not stopping to help accident victims when you are involved	$3,000 fine/ 3 months jail/ both	$5,000 fine/ two years jail/ both
Using non-compliant devices (>20kg weight, >70cm wide, or >25km/h speed)	$5,000 fine/ 3 months jail term/ both	$10,000 fine/ 6 months jail term/ both
Dangerous riding of bicycles, PMDs, and personal mobility aids	$5,000 fine/ 6 month jail time/ both

Stores cannot sell non-UL2272 scooters anymore

Besides not being able to own a non-UL2272 e-scooter, retailers are also no longer allowed to sell non-UL2272 certified PMDs, including e-scooters, in stores from 1 July 2019. Sale of non-compliant PMDs is also prohibited for second-hand sales and lease as well.

Retail stores are required to display a warning notice for the sale of PMDs within the premises. 

Here are the relevant offences and penalties relating to the display and sale of non-compliant devices shown in the table below.

First-time offenders can be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months. 

What type of e-scooters can you find in a retail store?

Since selling non-UL2272 e-scooters is an offence, starting 1 July 2019, you will only be able to find e-scooters that are both LTA-compliant and UL2272 certified in stores. 

One of the UL2272 choices you can find in the Singapore market is the popular Segway-Ninebot ES2 electric scooter. Being both LTA approved and UL2272 certified, the Segway ES2 e-scooter is more resistant to fire and electrical accidents. It also features front and rear lights, as well as puncture resistant pneumatic tyres.

Specifications of the ES2 e-scooter:

✅ UL2272 Certified

✅ LTA-Approved

✅ 12 Months limited warranty

✅ 36V 5.2AH

✅ 300W Front Brushless Motor

✅ Weight: 12.5 kg 

✅ Max speed: up to 25 km/h 

✅ Max load: 100 kg 

✅ Max distance range: up to 25 km

✅ Charging duration: 3.5 hours

How to check if an e-scooter is LTA-compliant and UL2272 certified?

To know whether or not your e-scooter is UL2272 certified, look for a certification mark. The mark is usually placed on the underside of your e-scooter's deck. 

The poster below shows the different UL2272 certification logos in various countries recognised by LTA. The different logos reflect that the scooters are tested in different laboratories, but are all tested according to the UL2272 standard. 

The poster also features the specific criteria that the device must meet to be considered LTA-compliant. 

How to register a UL2272 certified e-scooter?

From 1 July 2019, you can register online at www.onemotoring.com.sg/escooter. The registration fee is $20. 

Order your LTA Identification Mark Sticker

The most important thing to do after registering your e-scooter is to fabricate the identification mark sticker using the number on your registration mark. You would have received your registration mark from LTA through the mail.

The identification mark sticker must be pasted on your e-scooter before you are allowed to ride it in public. Failure to do so will be considered an offence.

You can order your LTA identification mark stickers at www.OhMyBike.com. These stickers are printed with the Epson S30670 on high quality 3M IJ15 Digital Print Film, and laminated with the 3M Overlaminate to prevent abrasion and colour fading.