Electric scooter and the law: RDW, registration & public roads

Can your electric scooter go on public roads? Honest answer: in the Netherlands, usually not. Most electric scooters are not (yet) permitted on the road, and only models approved by the RDW may use it. We explain briefly and honestly how it works, what the risks are, and how at MoveVolt you can see at a glance which models are legal.

The legal reality in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, most electric scooters may not go on public roads. Approval runs through the new national admission framework for light electric vehicles (LEV) — the so-called Selana category. Only models that the RDW has approved and admitted may use the road, the cycle path or the carriageway where designated. The framework exists to create clarity and safety, and is being filled in step by step.

Important to know: scooters without admission are not forbidden to own or use — they are perfectly fine for your own land, private land, sport and off-road. They simply don't belong on public roads. Many of our most powerful models deliberately fall into that category, precisely because they are faster and stronger than what is allowed on the road.

What do you risk without admission?

If you do take a non-admitted scooter onto the road, you legally fall under the category of a moped without valid admission. That means, among other things:

• A fine — typically around €380–€400 (moped-without-valid-admission category). Note: exact amounts change every year, so treat this as an order of magnitude and not a fixed sum.
• In the worst case, confiscation of the scooter by the police.
• Insurance obligation: an admitted LEV must have third-party liability (WA) insurance and meet the set technical requirements.

In short: ride on private land and you're fine and have nothing to worry about; if you want to go on the road, deliberately choose an admitted model. That way you avoid a fine and ride insured and safely. In the showroom we're happy to think along about which option suits your situation.

How MoveVolt shows you what's legal at a glance

Of our 130 models, 62 are RDW-legal and permitted and 68 are meant for private land or sport. So you don't have to figure it out yourself:

• In the catalogue, filter by legal to show only admitted models — handy when the road is your most important condition.
• Every product clearly states whether it may be used on public roads, so you're never caught out.
• If in doubt, we give expert advice in the showroom and you can take a test ride before you decide.

The admission rules change regularly and will be developed further in the coming years. Always consult our separate legality hub for the most up-to-date legal status before you head onto the road. There we explain per situation what is allowed and keep the information current.