Montenegro and other Balkan states tighten electric scooter rules for minors

Montenegro’s Ministry of Interior announced that amendments to the Traffic Safety Law take effect on 7 August, introducing higher fines for serious violations, the possibility of temporary vehicle seizure for repeat offenders, and new restrictions for drivers under 21. The law also bans anyone under 16 from operating electric scooters on public roads and requires helmets, speed limits of 25 km/h and use of bike lanes where available.

Similar measures are being rolled out in neighboring countries. Luxembourg’s recent legal changes also prohibit minors under 16 from riding electric scooters, impose fines of €150‑€400 on parents who allow it, and set additional limits for young drivers up to age 21. In Bulgaria, police fined six parents €250 each after children aged 10‑14 were caught riding scooters on public streets, reinforcing the national rule that only persons 16 years or older may operate them.

The regional traffic safety agency has issued a public appeal urging parents to supervise children’s use of electric scooters, reminding that riders under 14 are not permitted to operate them and must wear protective helmets. The agency stresses that scooters are vehicles, not toys, and that non‑compliance can lead to serious accidents.