Are Citycoco Scooters Legal in the UK?

Whether citycoco scooters are legal in the UK is a complex question. They are completely legal to buy, own, sell and posses. However, only citycocos registered with the DVLA are legal to ride on public roads.

Registering with DVLA

Some citycoco scooters can be registered with the DVLA as electric mopeds. If you register it, the citycoco can be ridden legally on UK roads. To be eligible for registration, the scooter will need to meet legal minimums and have a manufacturer Certificate of Conformity (or else go through a complex process). For more information read our guide on registering a citycoco. 

If registered, it will need a number plate and motorcycle insurance (typically £80-£250, see our post on getting citycoco insurance). Like a motorcycle, you must wear a helmet when riding one. 

You must also be licensed to ride it. Most citycocos will be the equivalent of under 50cc, so if you got your driving licence before 1st February 2001, you automatically have a 50cc moped endorsement, so you can probably ride it already (although please double-check you have the AM endorsement on your license with the DVLA here).

If not (and you don't have a motorcycle license), the easiest method is to complete a CBT (a one-day training/test costing roughly £60-£150), qualifying you to ride it. However, if riding with a CBT, you must put learner plates on your citycoco, and you cannot ride with a passenger.

Unregistered CityCocos

If not registered, a CityCoco can only be ridden legally on private land with the landowner's permission. This is the same as escooters. However, whilst the rules on escooters are generally unenforced (see stats on escooter seizure rates), there is probably a higher likelihood of being stopped by police whilst using a citycoco (if you or anyone you know has been stopped whilst riding a citycoco, please drop us an email at hello@fatwheelscoot.com - we would love to talk).

In theory, by driving an unregistered citycoco on the road or pavement, you could be subject to either (or both):

• A £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance
• Up to £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence

In practice, it is hard to say what will happen. To avoid the risk of penalties and to stay within the law, we recommend registering your citycoco or driving it on private land with the landowner's permission.

Please comment below if you have any questions or thoughts!