Electric Scooters are legal - within the relevant regulations
As of 2026, Louisiana regulates electric scooters under Louisiana Revised Statute § 32:300.1.1. The law classifies these vehicles as "electric scooters" and specifically excludes them from being categorized as motor-driven cycles or motor vehicles.
State-Level Classification and Definition
To be legally classified as an electric low-speed scooter in Louisiana, a vehicle must meet specific hardware standards:
Weight: Must weigh less than 100 pounds.
Power: Solely powered by an electric motor or human power.
Speed: Maximum speed capability of no more than 20 mph on a paved level surface.
Components: Must be equipped with handlebars and a floorboard for standing.
Licensing, Registration, and Insurance
License: No driver’s license or specialized permit is required to operate an electric scooter.
Registration: E-scooters are exempt from state title and registration requirements.
Insurance: There is no state-mandated liability insurance required for personal owners.
Age and Helmet Requirements
Minimum Age: Louisiana state law does not specify a minimum age for riding; however, local authorities often set a limit (e.g. 16 years old for unsupervised operation).
Helmet Law: Under RS 32:300.1.1(I), any operator under the age of 17 is strictly required
to wear an approved helmet.
Equipment and Technical Specifications
For an electric scooter to be street-legal it must be equipped with:
Braking System: Must have a brake that allows the operator to make the wheels skid on dry, level, and clean pavement.
Night Lighting: A white lamp visible from the front, a red light or reflector visible from the rear, and reflectors or reflective markings on the side.
Visibility Distance: Lights must be sufficient to see persons and vehicles at a distance of 500 feet during unfavorable conditions.
Operational Rules and Riding Areas
Riders are granted the same rights and duties as vehicle drivers, with the following restrictions:
Roadways: Permitted on public roads. Riders must stay as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.
Sidewalks: Allowed at the state level unless prohibited by local municipal authorities.
Bicycle Paths: Permitted in all bicycle-designated lanes and paths.
Capacity: Limited to one person; carrying passengers is prohibited unless the scooter is specifically designed for two.
Hands on Bars: Operators are prohibited from carrying bundles or packages that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Note, this makes the Lock n Load system of the Bo Model-M particularly high utility.
Municipal Variations:
Local authorities in Louisiana frequently override state baseline rules for dense urban or commercial zones.
| City | Sidewalk Access | Speed Limit | Key 2026 Restriction |
| New Orleans | Prohibited in French Quarter/CBD. | 15 mph | Must use bike lanes/streets; 18+ for shared fleets. |
| Baton Rouge | Permitted (must not obstruct). | 15 mph | City limit is lower than state max (Ord. 17951). |
| Shreveport | Allowed on most sidewalks. | 20 mph | Must yield to all pedestrians on shared paths. |
Notes on Power and DUI:
For high-torque devices like the Bo Model M:
20 mph: Regardless of motor wattage, if the device is capable of exceeding 20 mph, it no longer qualifies as an "electric low-speed scooter" and may be reclassified as a "motor-driven cycle" (RS 32:1(47)), requiring a license and registration.
DUI Laws: E-scooter operators are subject to Louisiana’s operating-while-intoxicated laws. Convictions carry the same penalties as motor vehicle DUIs.
Disclaimer: Bo USA Inc. endeavours to keep these documents up to date and relevant, however does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the included findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States. Always carry out secondary research to validate any statement - and refer directly to the relevant authority before presuming accuracy.
Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin riding electric scooters should refer to their local governments to obtain the most up-to-date information on the applicable, local legal standing of scooters.
The Bo Model-M: Since the electric scooter is legal in Louisiana, it is worth investing in a vehicle that is going to have a real integrity and quality to its manufacture. This means it will bring you pleasure every time you use it.
To that end, it is interesting to know that Bo is the only electric scooter designed and engineered by a team of real car guys. Where the rest of the scooter industry took plasticky toys and ruggedised them, we started with a blank sheet of paper to develop the best vehicle in the world for local journeys.
Of course, you can only really feel the benefit of that when you ride it for yourself; that is why we give an extraordinary 60 day return policy and have a customer response team full of the engineers who made it. When you contact Bo, you're going straight to the source.
Visit the Model M page - click here
Learn more about how we made the 'M' - click here
Go watch a Youtube about the Model-M - click here
Return to the State-by-State regulation page - click here
