BILL NUMBER: S5801
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
an electric scooter operator's safety manual and licensing requirement;
to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring instruc-
tion in electric scooter safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing
course; to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the insurance law, in
relation to requiring liability insurance for electric scooters in
cities having a population of one million or more; and to amend the
vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requirements for the sale and
purchase of electric scooters
 
PURPOSE:
To require a safety manual, education course, and licensing requirement
for the operation of an electric scooter. Also requires liability insur-
ance to operate electric scooters in cities with a population of one
million or greater.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - adds a new article (12-E), amending the vehicle and traffic
law; Adds § 399-aa: Sets forth requirements for an Electric scooter
operator's safety manual. § 399-bb: Sets licensing requirements for the
operation of an electric scooter; sets licensing fees. § 399-cc: Sets
rules and regulations to make the requirements of this article enforcea-
ble.
Section 2 - Adds a new paragraph (a-2) to subdivision 1 of section 504
of the vehicle and traffic law, which sets forth proof that an
owner/operator has reviewed the operator's safety manual prior to the
receipt of a new license or license renewal.
Section 3 - Adds a new section (1290) to the vehicle and traffic law,
prohibiting the operation of an electric scooter on public roads in
cities with a population of one million or greater without a proper
electric scooter driver's license.
Section 4 - Amends paragraphs (a) (b) and (d) subdivision 4 of section
502 of the vehicle and traffic law to require a new paragraph (c-6) and
require the passage of an "Electric Scooter Safety Awareness Test" prior
to the receipt of an electric scooter driver's license.
Section 5 - Amends the vehicle and traffic safety law, adding a new
section (1291) setting liability insurance requirements for cities with
a population of one million or greater; 1: gives the commissioner
discretion to grant liability insurance waivers and certificates of
self-assurance on a case by case basis; 2 and 3: sets proof of insurance
requirements for operators and owners; 4: prohibits the operation of an
electric scooter anywhere in New York State except for on the lands of
the owner of the electric scooter without insurance.
Section 6 - Amends subsection (f) of section 5103 of the insurance law
to include electric scooters.
Section 7 - Amends the vehicle and traffic law, adding § 1292 setting
purchasing requirements; 1. Requires licenses for purchasers in cities
with a population of one million or greater; 2: Requires dealers to
verify an operator% license and liability insurance prior to the sale of
an electric scooter in cities with a population of one million or great-
er; 3. Sets fines for violating any of the provisions of this section.
Section 8 - Sets forth the effective date of this legislation.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 1924, New York State began requiring all drivers to have a license.
At the time of the passage of this law, the primary vehicle on the roads
was the car. Almost 100 years later, newer forms of transportation have
risen to prominence such as the motorcycle. New York State has modified
the traffic safety laws to regulations to keep streets and pedestrians
safe and should do so with the rise of electric scooters.
Over the past few years, electric scooters have become a popular means
of urban transportation. Despite this, electric scooters lack the traf-
fic and safety laws that apply to the other common means of transporta-
tion. In most states in the US, operators do not need a license, regis-
tration, or insurance to drive electric scooters. By simply requiring
operators and owners to study the rules of the road, acquire a driver's
license, and obtain liability insurance, we will improve road safety on
congested streets, saving hundreds of lives.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.5158 of 2023-2024: Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after is shall become law.

Statutes affected:
S5801: 504 vehicle and traffic law, 504(1) vehicle and traffic law, 502 vehicle and traffic law, 502(4) vehicle and traffic law, 5103 insurance law, 5103(f) insurance law