Riding an e-scooter without a helmet: fine and penalty point

Riding an E-Scooter without a helmet in Germany: Are there fines or points?

In Germany, there is no legal obligation to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter (E-Scooter) at speeds of up to 20 km/h, according to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) and the Small Electric Vehicles Regulation (eKFV) (naveetech.de). However, even though the law does not force you to wear one, there are important details you should be aware of:

What does the law say?

• There is no statutory requirement to wear a helmet in this vehicle category, as long as the E-Scooter is:

  • Officially registered and approved, and

  • Used within the permitted speed limit (up to 20 km/h).

• A mandatory helmet requirement generally applies only to vehicles of a higher speed class, such as:

  • S-Pedelecs

  • Faster electric mopeds/scooters (e-mopeds) (naveetech.de).

Fines and points

• No traffic offence is recorded solely for not wearing a helmet in this case.

• No points in Flensburg are imposed, and no driving ban is issued just because you did not wear a helmet.

Recommendation: Safety first

• Many riders choose to wear a helmet voluntarily, especially when:

  • They are still learning to balance, or

  • Riding at or near the maximum permitted speed.

• You should also be aware that insurance companies might interpret the absence of a helmet in the event of an accident as a form of contributory negligence, which could result in a reduced compensation payment.

Conclusion

• Legally: There is no fine and no points for riding an E-Scooter (up to 20 km/h) without a helmet.

• In terms of safety and insurance: Wearing a helmet is a very sensible choice to protect yourself from serious head injuries and may improve your position in insurance claims after an accident.

The editorial team makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information cannot be ruled out entirely. The content of this article should therefore be regarded as initial guidance only; for binding and up-to-date information, always consult the competent authorities or your insurance provider.