Thousands of electric scooters have been sold illegally on UK roads, with the DVSA urged to crack down on rulebreakers.
According to new research, nine in 10 inspections of e-scooter retailers by the agency were found to be unlawful, raising serious safety concerns.
The DVSA found that 42 out of 47 visits to e-scooter retailers unveiled huge problems with the devices, primarily failing to meet UK standards, making them illegal.
The AA said the rules for e-scooters are either "misunderstood" or "thousands of people are openly breaking the law".
The findings follow a written parliamentary contribution by Transport Minister Simon Lightwood on the safety of e-scooters.
He wrote: "In that year, DVSA's market surveillance unit looked into higher proportions sold in online markets due to apparent shifts in the way such items are sold."
The response revealed that roughly 41 out of 58 inspections found e-scooters being sold unlawfully in the years 2023/24, while 79 out of 93 inspections in 2022/23 were found to fail to meet regulations.
The revelation has sparked growing concern about electric scooter usage across the UK, with many Britons warning they have been used for anti-social behaviour.
The report by the DVSA revealed serious regulatory failings by e-scooter operators
| GETTYIn the UK, e-scooters can only be used in designated trial areas or on private land, but despite this, many riders simply ignore the rules.
If caught riding a private e-scooter on public roads, riders can be slapped with a fixed penalty of £300 or six points on a licence for driving a motor vehicle with no insurance.
In designated trial areas, electric scooters can be used if they meet certain safety requirements, such as a maximum speed of 12.5mph, a maximum weight without a rider of 55kg, and a mandatory bell or horn.
In response to the report, AA president Edmund King said that despite the report showing serious failings by operators, it was "reassuring" that the DVSA was "actively investigating" e-scooter sales.
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MPs have called for more to be done to crack down on e-scooters | TFLHe stated: "The only e-scooters allowed legally on public roads in England are those involved in the Government's 18 approved trials.
"However, either that message is misunderstood, or thousands of people are openly breaking the law, as the sight of non-rental e-scooters on the roads is a common occurrence."
The recently published Road Safety Strategy aims to gather evidence through the extended trials, implement strict safety regulations, and prepare for potential future legislation.
"The sooner legislation is introduced governing the safe design, top speeds and use of e-scooters, the better, as currently the uncertainty amongst the public and with retailers is leading to dangerous products used unsafely on highways," he added.
E-scooters can be seized by police for being operated illegally on UK roads
| DERBYSHIRE POLICEMeanwhile, Clive Wood, lead regional policy and campaigns manager at charity Guide Dogs, warned the figures were "deeply worrying" and that the current situation around e-scooters "is unsafe and poorly enforced".
He added: "When e-scooters are sold without clear guidance on where and how they can be used, it increases the likelihood they will end up being ridden illegally or irresponsibly, putting people at risk.
"[They can be] fast, almost silent and unpredictable, which makes them extremely dangerous for people with a vision impairment".