Do You Need A License To Drive An E-Scooter In Illinois?

Electric scooters (e-scooters) have exploded in popularity across Illinois cities and suburbs. They’re convenient, cheap, and in many places faster than walking, but the laws and safety picture have changed recently, and injuries from e-scooter accidents are rising nationwide. In this blog, we explain the current Illinois rules about licensing and age, where local governments can add rules, what the safety data shows, and practical tips if you’re injured in a scooter crash.

“E-scooters are convenient, but when a rider is seriously hurt the legal questions can be complicated, from vehicle classification and licensing, to who maintained the scooter and the condition of the roadway. If you’ve been injured, it’s important to have an experienced injury attorney to protect your rights.” — John J. Malm, Naperville e-scooter accident lawyer

What Illinois Law Says

In 2024 the Illinois legislature passed a law creating a statewide regulatory framework for low-speed electric scooters (Public Act 103-0899). Key statewide provisions include:

• A definition of “low-speed electric scooter” and rules that exempt many such scooters from vehicle registration and title requirements.
• Minimum age rules (many sources note riders must be 16 or 18 depending on the particular municipal ordinance and the specific classification used).
• A prohibition on operating a low-speed scooter on highways with speed limits above a statutory threshold (often 35 mph).
• Grants to municipalities to authorize, prohibit, or further regulate scooter use locally.

Bottom line: you should check both the state law classification and your city or village’s local ordinance. Some towns have added requirements (for example, several suburbs adopted rules that require a valid driver’s license to use e-bikes/e-scooters on streets within their jurisdiction).

Local Rules: Municipalities Vary

Because Illinois gives local governments authority to regulate whether and how e-scooters operate, you’ll find different rules across the state:

• Some municipalities allow low-speed e-scooters but require riders to be 18 or older, require helmets for under-18 riders, and ban sidewalk riding.
• Others (some suburbs) have required a valid driver’s license to use motorized scooters on their streets effective certain dates in 2025.
• Chicago historically allowed shared e-scooters under a permit system; suburbs may adopt stricter limits or bans.

Always check your city or village website or local police department guidance before riding.

E-Scooter Injuries and Hospitalizations are Rising

Micromobility injuries, including e-scooters and e-bikes, have grown substantially in recent years.

• A large (multi-year, national) analysis published in JAMA Network Open found that e-scooter injuries increased sharply between 2017 and 2022, with tens of thousands of emergency department visits by 2022. The study reported a very large increase in e-scooter injuries (e-scooter injuries rose substantially over the study period). The authors concluded that the rise in micromobility injuries underscores the need for improved infrastructure, helmet use, and policy changes.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that micromobility device injuries increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021, and highlighted surges in e-scooter and e-bike emergency visits.
• Evidence syntheses from public health groups and other studies point to large increases in both nonfatal and serious injuries for e-bikes and e-scooters, with head and face injuries common and helmet use low among injured riders.

Those trends matter legally: if e-scooter use is rising and injuries are common, liability questions (who’s at fault, whether a vehicle or the city’s infrastructure was a factor, product defects, maintenance of share scooters) become more frequent.

Typical Causes of E-Scooter Crashes

Most e-scooter injuries come from:

• Falls (losing control, hitting a pothole, curb, or uneven surface): the most common cause.
• Collisions with vehicles (far less frequent but often more severe).
• Alcohol or impairment: many emergency-room studies report a high proportion of riders had consumed alcohol, especially at night.
• Lack of helmet use: head and facial injuries make up a large share of serious injuries.

Practical Tips if You Ride an E-Scooter or Were Injured

• Check the classification of your scooter. If it’s a high-speed or gas-powered scooter that meets vehicle definitions, licensing/registration and insurance may be required. If it’s a low-speed e-scooter within the state definition, state exemptions may apply, but local rules still matter.
• If you’re injured, document everything: photos of the scene, the scooter, road defects, witness contact info, and medical records. Preserve a copy of any shared-scooter ride receipt or app data.
• Seek medical attention immediately: some internal injuries aren’t obvious at the scene. Hospitals and ER records are critical evidence.
• Contact an experienced Illinois e-scooter accident attorney: Issues can include city roadway maintenance liability, driver negligence, defects in the scooter, or failure of the scooter company to maintain its fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions about E-Scooters

Q: Do I need a driver’s license to ride a shared e-scooter in Chicago?
A: For most shared low-speed e-scooters permitted by the city, no separate driver’s license is required, but you must follow Chicago’s permit rules and local safety requirements. Always check the latest Chicago Department of Transportation guidance.

Q: Are helmets required in Illinois?
A: Helmet rules vary. Some state provisions and municipal ordinances require helmets for riders under a certain age; overall helmet use among injured riders has been low in studies. Even if not legally required where you ride, wearing a helmet greatly reduces the risk of head injury.

Q: What if I’m injured by a car while riding an e-scooter?
A: You may have a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Liability depends on negligence rules, comparative fault, and the crash circumstances. Keep medical records and scene evidence and consult an attorney right away.

Q: Can the scooter company be liable for my injuries?
A: Possibly, if the scooter was defective, poorly maintained, or the company failed to warn of a known hazard. Shared-scooter app data and maintenance logs can be important evidence.

Q: Where can I learn my municipality’s exact rules?
A: Check your city/village website or local police department pages for e-scooter or micromobility guidance (many Illinois towns publish their rules and any effective dates).

Contact the Dedicated Illinois E-Scooter Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

E-scooters are a great transportation option, but the legal landscape in Illinois now depends on a mix of state definitions and local ordinances. Injuries from these vehicles have climbed sharply nationwide, making awareness and caution essential. At John J. Malm & Associates, we have extensive experience representing clients who have been injured in accidents involving cars, trucks, bicycles, and emerging forms of transportation like e-scooters. We understand that these cases can raise unique questions about licensing, liability, and responsibility. Our team of Illinois scooter accident attorneys is dedicated to helping injured victims secure the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an e-scooter accident, call our office today for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.