Electric Scooters are legal - within the relevant regulations
As of 2026 New Hampshire has moved away from its previous unregulated status and introudced specific electric scooter regulation.
The state legislature has introduced significant 2026 updates - specifically HB 1410 and HB 715 - to codify the use of Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs) and Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles (OCEVs).
These new rules replace the old patchwork system with a more structured statewide framework.
State-level classification and definitions
The 2026 legislation introduces two primary categories for electric micromobility:
Personal Electric Vehicles (PEV): Defined under HB 715 as any electric motor-driven vehicle (scooters, unicycles, skateboards) with a motor exceeding 1.0 horsepower (~746 Watts).
Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles (OCEV): Defined under HB 1410 as vehicles with a continuous rated output of 750 Watts or greater or capable of speeds exceeding 20 mph.
Disclosure: Sellers of OCEVs must now provide a bold, capital-letter disclosure at the point of sale stating clearly that the vehicle is not an electric assisted bicycle.
Licensing and mandatory safety certification
New Hampshire now requires specific education for riders who do not have a standard driver's license.
Safety Exam: Under the 2026 PEV laws, any person over 16 years old who does not possess a valid driver’s license must complete an online DMV safety course and carry a certificate of completion while riding.
Minimum Age: Use of motorized scooters on public rights-of-way by individuals under 16 is strictly prohibited in most municipalities (e.g., Manchester, Durham).
Operational rules and permitted areas
The state has set "prima facie" speed limits for specific environments:
Sidewalks: Capped at a maximum of 5 mph. Riders must always yield to pedestrians.
Public Trails: Capped at 18 mph on rail trails, hiking trails, and bicycle trails.
Roadways: Permitted on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. You must ride as far to the right as practicable.
Night Riding: Reflective clothing is now a specific requirement for PEV operation during low-light conditions, in addition to standard front/rear lighting.
Municipal variations:
Despite the new state laws, local cities still maintain registration and unique speed caps.
| City | Registration | Speed Limit | Key 2026 Restriction |
| Manchester | $5 License Fee | Reasonable | Lifetime registration tag required via Police Dept. |
| Durham | Not required | 15 mph | Strictly prohibited on sidewalks (Chapter 55). |
| Nashua | Not required | Safe/Reasonable | No person 13 or older may ride on sidewalks in any district. |
| Portsmouth | Not required | 15 mph | Prohibited north of High Street in the central business zone. |
Technical equipment specifications
To be legally compliant on public ways, a scooter must be equipped with:
Brakes: A system capable of bringing the device to a controlled stop.
Night Lighting: A front headlamp emitting white light visible from 300 feet and a red rear reflector or lamp visible from 300 feet.
Footwear: Some cities (like Manchester) now legally require footwear consisting of a sturdy sole that completely covers the feet and toes.
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 New Hampshire, 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
