E-scooter driver in Apolda without insurance: Police sound the alarm!

E-scooter driver in Apolda without insurance: Police sound the alarm!

On Tuesday evening, October 8, 2025, an incident in Apolda caused a stir: a 22-year-old woman was stopped by the police while she was riding her e-scooter on the city streets. However, the surprise came when it was discovered that the e-scooter was not insured. According to the report from the Jena State Police Inspectorate, this is a clear violation of the compulsory insurance law, which strictly applies in Germany. How news.de reported, the driver can now face serious consequences.

Did you know that driving an e-scooter without valid insurance can be a criminal offense? Loud ask-a-lawyer.de In such cases, you can face fines or even prison sentences of up to one year. However, in the current situation, the driver may have extenuating circumstances on her side: her insurance coverage was only renewed on March 7, 2025, and it is believed that it should have been renewed automatically. She plans to submit a written statement to explain her situation and attach relevant documentation from her insurer.

What are the rules for e-scooters?

E-scooters have been approved for road traffic in Germany since June 2019. These small but powerful means of transport are similar to classic scooters, but have an electric motor and are therefore more robust and heavier. How adac.de As noted, e-scooters are ideal for short distances and are specifically intended for commuters. More and more rental offers are springing up like mushrooms in big cities.

There are some important regulations to follow when riding an e-scooter. There must be two independently acting brakes, and the light and reflector system is also mandatory. In addition, e-scooters must not be heavier than 55 kg and the electric motor should have a maximum output of 500 watts. Of course, drivers also have to follow traffic rules - which means using bike paths or, if they don't exist, the road. Use on sidewalks is prohibited and care must be taken to ensure that e-scooters are only permitted for one person.

This makes it all the more important to take the insurance requirement seriously. E-scooters require an insurance sticker that proves liability insurance coverage. Without this there is not only a risk of administrative offenses but also serious legal consequences. A small note: the badges change color annually, a black badge is required for 2023/24. Good luck to those who have set up their business correctly and are well insured in the event of an accident - otherwise fun quickly turns into serious business.