By Johanna Dunzweiler
German Legal Assistance Attorney, Baumholder Law Center
BAUMHOLDER, Germany – Operating an e-scooter in Germany can be both exciting and challenging. However, it is important to remember that some of the same rules applicable to driving an automobile also apply to e-scooters. One of these rules is the prohibition against driving while intoxicated.
Because an e-scooter is considered a motor vehicle, you can lose your driver’s license if you operate one while under the influence of alcohol. Under German law, you are subject to fines and other penalties for operating an e-scooter with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 promille or above, which is equivalent to 0.052 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. Under Army in Europe regulations, your U.S. Forces driving privileges will be suspended for 90 days if you operate an e-scooter with a blood alcohol level in excess of 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; revocation is required if the blood alcohol level is 0.08 or above. While you are not required to have a driver’s license to operate an e-scooter, those who are too young to obtain a license may lose the ability to do so once they reach the required age if they are caught operating an e-scooter while intoxicated.
Service members are also subject to nonjudicial punishment and court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for operating an e-scooter with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above. In addition, a service member may receive a memorandum of reprimand from a general officer for operating an e-scooter while intoxicated.
Several other rules apply to e-scooters: (1) you must be at least 14 years old, (2) the scooter must have a valid permit (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis), and (3) you must have valid insurance. The scooter must be able to maintain a minimum speed of 6 kph and a maximum speed of 20 kph. You are only allowed to drive on the street (but not the Autobahn or other limited-access roads) or bicycle paths. You are not allowed to operate the scooter on sidewalks or pedestrian walkways. You must always drive on the right side of traffic and use hand signals for turns and stops. When traveling on an e-scooter with a friend, you are not allowed to ride side by side; you must operate your scooters in single file. Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. For additional questions regarding the operation of e-scooters, contact your local legal assistance office.