Netherlands to allow e-scooters on public roads under new registration mandate

Electric scooters and other light electric vehicles will soon be officially allowed on public roads in the Netherlands, as long as they carry a license plate. The move marks a major policy shift, announced Wednesday by Infrastructure Minister Barry Madlener in De Telegraaf, and is intended to improve road safety, simplify enforcement, and clarify which vehicles are legally permitted.

Electric scooters, special mopeds, and other so-called “light electric vehicles without pedal assistance” are currently not approved for public roads, though many are already in use. Starting July 1, 2025, newly approved vehicles in this category must be registered with the national vehicle authority, RDW, and display a license plate. Owners of existing vehicles, such as the BSO-bus—a type of special moped used to transport groups of children, often operated by daycare workers from a standing platform at the back—must apply for license plates within one year of that date.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management says the license plate mandate is part of a broader push to manage new forms of personal mobility. “With the introduction of a license plate requirement for ‘light electric vehicles without pedal assistance,’ it becomes immediately clear whether a vehicle is approved as a ‘special moped’ and therefore allowed on public roads,” Madlener said. “This allows police to enforce the rules more easily and ensures it is immediately visible what the vehicle can and cannot do.”

Madlener, a member of the PVV party, said the change was necessary as new modes of transport become more common in Dutch cities. “We see new ways emerging for people to get around. I want to make space for that,” he said. “Special mopeds like the BSO-bus were already allowed, but e-scooters weren’t. We expect the first e-scooters to be approved soon. Once that happens, they too will receive the new license plate.”

So far, no electric scooters—also referred to as e-steps—have received official approval for public road use. However, the Ministry expects approvals to begin in the near future. Once in place, those vehicles will also be subject to registration and license plate requirements.

The Ministry confirmed that the cost to register an existing special moped has been set at 18 euros, a reduced fee compared to the standard cost of over 50 euros. The government will cover the difference in price to keep the measure affordable. Officials noted that this honors an earlier promise to ensure fees remain “proportional” to encourage compliance.

Traffic safety advocates welcomed the change but urged faster implementation. “It’s about time the government started catching up with the streets,” said Bram van Leeuwen, a cycling safety advocate in Utrecht. “We’ve been seeing these devices zip through pedestrian zones with no oversight. A license plate is a step toward accountability.”

Some commuters raised concerns about how the new rules will be enforced. “It’s good in theory,” said Anouk Janssen, an Eindhoven resident who rides an electric scooter to work. “But how do they plan to track down unregistered vehicles or enforce the rules in real time?”

Municipal governments offered cautious support. A spokesperson for the municipality of Rotterdam said the change would help distinguish legal from illegal vehicles on the road. “But we also need national support in terms of funding for enforcement and clear communication to residents.”

The Ministry emphasized that the rules would enhance clarity for all road users and strengthen traffic safety. Madlener concluded, “With quality standards for vehicles and easier enforcement, road safety will increase.”