From July 1, 2023, Some E-Scooters No Longer Require a Driver’s License
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In Japan, a driver’s license used to be required to ride an electric scooter, but due to the revision of the law, some e-scooters no longer require a driver’s license. It has become easier to ride it than before, and you probably see more and more people riding it around town. In this article, we will explain the types of e-scooters and the new traffic rules.
Types of e-scooters
Previously, all motorized bicycles were treated as 'general motorized bicycles', but now they are classified into 3 categories, adding 2 new categories of 'specified small motorized bicycles' and 'exceptional specified small motorized bicycles'.
| General motorized bicycles | Specified small motorized bicycles | Exceptional specified small motorized bicycles | |
| Driver’s License | Required | Nor required | Nor required |
| Driver’s age limit | 16 years old or above | 16 years old or above | 16 years old or above |
| ヘルWearing Bike Helmetsメット | GS-marked or JIS-standard helmets are mandatory. | Obligation to make an effort | Obligation to make an effort |
| Number plates | Required | Required | Required |
| Automobile liability insurance | Required | Required | Required |
| Speed Limit | 30㎞/hour | 20㎞/hour | 6㎞/hour |
| Places where you can drive | Roadways | Roadways and bicycle paths | Roadways, bicycle paths, the part of roadside strips, and the part of sidewalks |
| Maximum speed indicating light | - | Green light to be installed | Flickering green light to be installed |
What are specified small motorized bicycles?
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism “Specified Small Motorized Bicycles
Motorized bicycles that meet all the following criteria
-The size of the vehicle must not exceed 190 cm in length and 60 cm in width.
-To use an electric motor with a rated output of 0.60 kilowatts or less as prime movers.
-Not to be able to achieve a speed exceeding 20km per hour.
-Not to be able to change the maximum speed setting while driving.
-Automatic transmission (AT) mechanism must be used.
- Maximum speed indicating light must be installed.
- Number plates must be attached.
-To meet the safety standards set by the Road Transport Vehicle Act
What are exceptional specified small motorized bicycles?
Source: Metropolitan Police Department website
Motorized bicycles that meet the criteria for specified small motorized bicycles and furthermore meets all of the following 5 criteria.
1. The maximum speed indicating light is flashing while driving on the sidewalk, etc.
2. While the maximum speed indicator light is flashing, the vehicle body structure does not allow the vehicle to speed more than 6 km per hour.
3. No side car is attached to the vehicle.
4. The brake lever is in a position that can be easily operated while driving.
5. The vehicle has no sharp protruding object.
Basic traffic rules for specified small motorized bicycles
Vehicles classified as general motorized bicycles shall follow the "Traffic Rules for General Motorized Bicycles" as before.
Prohibition of drunk driving
Never drive after drinking alcohol.
Age limit for drivers
A driver's license is not required to drive a specified small motorized bicycle, but people under the age of 16 are prohibited from driving. It is also prohibited to lend, buy, or transfer to anyone under the age of 16.
Obligation to obey traffic signals
As a general rule, you must follow the traffic light for the vehicle.
Prohibition of traffic, etc.
Streets or parts thereof where passing is prohibited by road signs, etc., are not passable.
Major Relevant Road Signs
Traffic of specified small motorized bicycles is prohibited.
Traffic of specified small motorized bicycles is prohibited
Source: Metropolitan Police Department website
Specified small motorized bicycles must also obey these signs
Source: Metropolitan Police Department website
Auxiliary signs
If the auxiliary sign indicating the "type of vehicle" attached to the road signs applies to standard bicycles and light vehicles, it also applies to specified small motorized bicycles. There are also auxiliary signs that are only for specified small motorized bicycles.
Source: Metropolitan Police Department website
軽車両: Light Vehicles
自転車: Bicycles
軽車両を除く: Excludes light vehicles
自転車を除く: Excludes bicycles
The above supplementary signs include "specified small motorized bicycles".
Prohibition of the use of mobile phones, etc
Driving while talking on a smartphone, etc. or while looking at a screen is not allowed.
Traffic Violation Notification System
If you commit a traffic violation, you will be subject to punishment such as payment of a fine.
The case subject to the Abandoned Vehicle Penalty System
If a police officer or parking enforcement officer identifies a vehicle as abandoned, you will be ordered to pay a fine.
＊Specified small motorized bicycles and exceptional specified small motorized bicycles can be parked in the normal
bicycle parking lot or motorcycle parking lot. However, there are still no clear rules, so parking may be prohibited in
some bicycle parking lots, and you need to be careful when parking.
Prohibition of two-people riding
Two-people riding on bicycles are allowed only when infant seats are used, but the same riding on specified small
motorized bicycles are prohibited without exception.
Measures to be taken in case of traffic accidents
In the event of a traffic accident, you must provide aid to the injured person or call 119 immediately. Failure to do so
will be treated as “hit-and-run cases” and will result in fines and penalties.
Traffic Rules of Specified Small Motorized Bicycle
The following rules must be followed for each vehicle type listed in the table at the beginning of this article.
・As a general rule, drive on the left side of the roadway
When driving on the roadway, in principle, you must keep driving on the left end of the roadway, and you cannot
drive on the right side.
・When driving on a sidewalk where an exceptional specified small motorized bicycle can drive
You must drive on the near-roadway side of pedestrian sidewalks or on the part of sidewalk designated for use by standard bicycles.Pedestrians are given priority on sidewalks, so if you interfere with pedestrian traffic, you must stop.
＊Sidewalks where specified small motorized bicycles can drive are limited to sidewalks with road signs that say "Standard Bicycles and Pedestrians Only" as shown below.
How to turn right and left for specified small motorized bicycles
Turn left
You must move to the left edge of the road beforehand, slow down enough along the left edge of it and turn carefully without blocking the crossing pedestrians.
Right turn
You must make a so-called "two-step right turn" by going straight to the other side of the intersection on a green light, stopping at that point and turning to the right, and proceeding after the traffic light ahead turns green.
＊In addition to the traffic rules listed above, there are various other rules. For details, please check the following website of the National Police Agency.
Summary
In addition to the fact that it has become easier to ride electric scooters due to the revision of the law, the number of users is expected to increase in the future due to the increase in the number of rental e-scooters (shared e-scooters) that can be easily reserved from a smartphone app, and the number of condominiums and offices with e-scooter sharing services that can be used by residents. Although it is a convenient tool, it is a vehicle that often drives close to pedestrians, so you need to be very careful when driving. Please understand the traffic rules correctly and enjoy driving safely.
Electric Scooters and Helmets
You can purchase e-schooters and helmets online (Amazon). Click on the image to see more details.
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