Laws by state / Delaware
Delaware
What Delaware's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system: two or three wheels, working pedals, a seat, motor of 750 W or less. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop assisting at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist) at 28 mph. Not a moped or motorcycle.
Road
Allowed
Same rights and duties as bicycles; allowed on streets, highways, roadways and shoulders.
Bike lane
Allowed
Allowed in bike lanes and bikeways.
Sidewalk
Not allowed
Not allowed on sidewalks while using the motor, even where bicycles are allowed.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Allowed on bike and multi-use paths unless the local or state agency bans them after notice and a public hearing. Agencies may also ban e-bikes on natural-surface trails designated non-motorized.
- Helmet
- Class 3: required for all operators and passengers. Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet on any bicycle (§ 4198K); e-bike riders carry bicycle duties.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 16 (younger riders may be passengers on a Class 3 built for one). None for Class 1/2.
- Speed limit or cap
- Motor assist stops at 20 mph (Class 1/2) or 28 mph (Class 3).
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- No insurance, driver's license, registration, title or plates.
- Also worth knowing
- Since Jan. 1, 2023 manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and wattage. Tampering that changes speed is barred unless the label is replaced. Class 3 must have a speedometer.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: 21 Del. C. § 101(18); 21 Del. C. § 4198P; 21 Del. C. § 4198K
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 41, Subch. XII (§§ 4198K, 4198P)
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 1 (§ 101 definitions)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Motorized skateboard or scooter": device on at least 2 wheels with a deck close to the ground, handlebars or a hand throttle/brake, ridden standing or sitting, motor-powered. A "low speed motorized scooter" is one that cannot go faster than 15 mph.
Road
Allowed with limits
Low-speed scooters (15 mph max) have bicycle rights and may ride on streets, highways and shoulders. Faster scooters may not be ridden on public roads, sidewalks or rights-of-way except permitted special events.
Bike lane
Allowed
Low-speed scooters allowed in bike lanes and bikeways.
Sidewalk
Not allowed
Not allowed on sidewalks.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Low-speed scooters allowed on bike and multi-use paths unless the agency bans them after a public hearing; may be banned on natural-surface non-motorized trails.
- Helmet
- Required for riders and passengers under 18.
- Minimum age
- Low-speed scooter: 14. Other motorized scooters (private property only): under 12 needs adult supervision.
- Speed limit or cap
- 15 mph to qualify as a low-speed scooter.
- Motor power cap
- None in statute.
- License, registration, insurance
- Low-speed scooters: no insurance, license, registration, title or plates.
- Also worth knowing
- From Jan. 1, 2026, low-speed scooters must carry a label showing class, top speed and motor power. Rental scooter services need municipal permission. Riding a motorized scooter on any property needs the owner's permission.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: 21 Del. C. § 101(36); 21 Del. C. § 101(42); 21 Del. C. § 4198N; 21 Del. C. § 4198Q
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 41, Subch. XII (§§ 4198N, 4198Q)
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 1 (§ 101 definitions)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
How the law defines it: Electric skateboards with a hand-held throttle or brake fall under "motorized skateboard or scooter" (at least 2 wheels, deck close to the ground, handlebars or hand-controlled throttle/brake).
Road
Not allowed
Motorized skateboards may not be ridden on public roads, sidewalks or rights-of-way, except to push them across or at permitted special events.
Bike lane
Not allowed
Covered by the public road ban.
Sidewalk
Not allowed
Not allowed on sidewalks.
Paths and trails
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute. Riding on any property requires the owner's permission.
- Helmet
- Required for riders and passengers under 18.
- Minimum age
- Under 12 only with direct adult supervision or on family land.
- Speed limit or cap
- Not addressed in statute.
- Motor power cap
- Not addressed in statute.
- License, registration, insurance
- Not addressed in statute.
- Also worth knowing
- The "low speed motorized scooter" exemption (15 mph max) refers to scooters; whether a slow electric skateboard qualifies is not settled. One-wheel boards have one wheel, so they fall outside the "at least 2 wheels" definition.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: 21 Del. C. § 101(42); 21 Del. C. § 4198N
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 41, Subch. XII (§ 4198N)
- Delaware Code Title 21, Ch. 1 (§ 101 definitions)
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Delaware statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. EPAMD covers only two-wheel self-balancing devices, and "motorized skateboard or scooter" requires at least 2 wheels, so electric unicycles are not covered.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: 21 Del. C. § 101(20); 21 Del. C. § 101(42)
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