Hoverboards had caused a big tornado in the riding industry when they were initially released. But, later on, many flaws of hoverboards started to surface with the increase in accidents related to hoverboards. The manufacturers tried a lot and are still developing new technologies to increase the safety element in hoverboards, but due to media reporting and past accidents, people are confused about whether they are illegal or not.
Well, the hoverboard rules and regulations vary with states in the USA, so it is difficult to generalize everything, but I have tried to sum up my information on “Are hoverboards illegal” below:
Are Hoverboards Illegal?
Hoverboards are not completely illegal, but according to some state laws, there are restrictions on riding the hoverboard like speed, age limit, and so on. These restrictions vary along with different states in the USA, but I’ll combine them all and write general information on hoverboard laws and regulations.
Please note that the laws and restrictions I’ll discuss below are implemented in New York, California, and other states of the USA, as well as in Australia. But I cannot call them world laws on hoverboards because different countries have different regulations for hoverboards.
Hoverboard Laws & Regulations
Let’s clear one thing first: hoverboards are not illegal to ride, but there are restrictions, laws, and regulations set by concerned authorities for hoverboard riding. Well, you should learn and follow all the rules and regulations to be on the safe side; otherwise, you will be charged a penalty for disobeying any state law.
The hoverboard laws are typically related to helmets, age limits, and speed limits. In this section, I will cover them all for your assistance.
Age Limit
The first thing is the age limit. According to the hoverboard laws set by the State of California, a rider must be 16 years old or more; otherwise, he or she cannot ride a hoverboard. This rule was implemented in 2016 and is still part of the latest hoverboard regulations set by the state.
In addition, the law also covers effective rules and restrictions for kids who want to ride hoverboards as a fun or recreational activity. You can learn more from the official article issued by the State.
Helmets
No matter what your age, where you are riding a hoverboard, and for what purpose, it is mandatory to wear a helmet to ride the hoverboard. This is because most of the accidents reported because of the hoverboard included head injuries. To prevent serious injuries and increase the element of protection, the state initiated this law.
In short, it is illegal to ride a hoverboard in the United States without a helmet. The same rule applies for riding bikes, motorcycles, scooters, and other two-wheeler vehicles as well as three-wheeler vehicles.
Speed Limit
In addition to the helmet, the speed limit rule for hoverboards is also there. According to the latest law set by the state of California, a rider cannot exceed the speed of 35 mph on streets. If you are riding on a public road or trail, you should not exceed 15 mph speed when riding the hoverboard. Well, the speed limits are different for roads, bicycle pathways, and other areas.
You can see more detail from the issue document by the state. This regulation also aims to prevent accidental happenings, especially alongside roads, highways, and other busy locations.
Mind State
Like driving the car, the attention and mental state of the hoverboard rider should also be stable so that he or she will not get into an accident. In this sequence, California state issued Bill No. 604 which states that riding the hoverboard under the influence of alcoholic drinks, drugs, or pills is illegal.
That’s all for the state rules! You see, mostly the regulations set by the state are general and can be applied to bike riders, drivers, and so on. Riding a hoverboard is not illegal anywhere, but there are restrictions that are set for the safety and well-being of a person riding the hoverboard and the people around you.
Penalties For Hoverboard Laws Violation
If you violate any of the restrictions and regulations that I shared above, you will be charged a penalty i.e., $250, according to the hoverboard safety standards. If you fail to limit the speed, wear a helmet, or are riding the hoverboard in an unstable mental state, you’ll have to pay the charge, and there is no in-between.
Well, now there are no penalties and also you don’t need a license to ride a hoverboard. But in the near future, maybe, the state will also issue regulations for that.
FAQs
Q: Does the law require that I wear a helmet when riding a hoverboard?
Yes! It is mandatory to wear a helmet to ride the hoverboard regardless of your age, purpose of riding, location, and more. This is because most of the accidents reported because of the hoverboard included head injuries. To prevent serious injuries and increase the element of protection, the state initiates this law. It is illegal to ride a hoverboard, bike, motorcycle, scooter, etc., without a helmet.
Q: Can I ride my hoverboard in Central Park?
No, you are not allowed to ride the hoverboard in the New York City parks including Central Park. The restriction is set by the state to reduce the accidents reported due to hoverboards. This is because Central Park is usually busy and experiences heavy foot traffic, and it is very challenging for riders to control and ride a hoverboard in such busy sites.
Q: What is the age limit to ride a hoverboard in the USA?
According to Bill No. 604 issued in the Assembly of the State of California, USA, a rider must be 16 years old or more; otherwise, he or she cannot ride a hoverboard. This rule was implemented in 2016 and is still part of the latest hoverboard regulations set by the state. The purpose of this law is quite clear, that is to avoid the causation of accidents.
The Bottom Line
That’s all for “Are hoverboards illegal?”! The answer is that hoverboards are not illegal if your age is not less than 16, you are wearing a helmet, you’re not riding in Central Park or NYC parks, and you’re not exceeding 35 mph. However, if you are breaking any of these restrictions, hoverboards are illegal.