Can You Get A DUI On An E-Scooter?

There has been discussion about the requirement to take a breathalyzer test before riding an e-scooter. The real question is, can you get a DUI on one?

Working in downtown Grand Rapids, I see these e-scooters frequently at all hours of the night. Not everyone riding the e-scooters is sober, and there have been many crashes where riders have gotten injured. One person has died from falling off an e-scooter in Grand Rapids.

What Is An E-Scooter?

If you’ve spent any time in downtown Grand Rapids, you’ve probably noticed the Lime scooters and bikes zipping around the streets. These are electric, and you can use your debit or credit card to pay for a ride around town.

It is important to know what an e-scooter is to determine if it's possible to get a DUI while riding one. An e-scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle that's propelled by an electric motor and is typically steered with handlebars. They are used for personal transportation, especially for short urban trips.

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Can You Get A DUI On An E-Scooter? Here’s The Answer

Many people who go downtown Grand Rapids at night use an e-scooter to get around town, and many visit a local bar or two. They will often drive them around after drinking, but can you get a DUI for doing so?

Well, there have been two cases of people being charged with a DUI in Grand Rapids while riding an e-scooter. A person was charged with a DUI in 2009, but the conviction was later overturned. A second person was charged with a DUI in 2022, but he was driving an e-scooter on U.S. 131, which authorities classified as a motor vehicle for that incident.

That being said, watch a Michigan attorney explaining the laws regarding e-scooters, and you might be surprised at what he tells you.

If you watched the video from attorney Aaron J. Boria, you learned, based on Michigan's laws, what is considered a motor vehicle and would qualify for a DUI.

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It turns out that an e-scooter falls under the electric skateboard law, which means you cannot get a DUI in Michigan for riding an e-scooter or an e-bike.

👇BELOW: 5 Tips for Riding a Lime Scooter👇