Navigating Scooters in Mexico City: Essential Information to Avoid Fines
In a bid to ensure safety and order on the city's streets, lawmakers in Mexico City have amended the Mobility Law, requiring licenses for Personal Electric Motorized Vehicles (VEMEPEs) such as electric scooters, motorcycles, and electric bikes. The new law, which is set to take effect in one year, aims to establish the conditions necessary to safely guarantee the right to mobility for those using the city's streets.
The new regulations will necessitate a license plate, a driver's license, and compliance with traffic laws for VEMEPE operators. Two types of licenses specifically for VEMEPEs have been authorized: Type A for vehicles weighing less than 35 kg and Type B for vehicles weighing between 35 and 350 kg.
The popularity of VEMEPEs has led to increased chaos on city streets, with over a million such vehicles operating within city limits. Many VEMEPE operators ignore traffic rules, posing a danger to pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and VEMEPE riders themselves.
The new law aims to address these issues by mandating registration of electric scooters and motorcycles, as well as licensing requirements for operators. These requirements could involve age limits, driver’s licenses, or special permits. Safety requirements such as helmets and insurance are also expected to be part of the regulations.
Lawmakers have also set limitations on where these vehicles can be operated. Protesters have demonstrated against the law, arguing that it is a new tax that will make VEMEPEs less accessible and squeeze them off the roads. However, Congressman Miguel Ángel Macedo, president of the Sustainable Mobility and Road Safety Committee, stated that the inclusion of these vehicles in the Mobility Law is the first step toward strengthening a regulatory framework that governs their use.
For precise and current license or operator regulations for VEMEPE vehicles in Mexico City, it would be necessary to consult official announcements from Mexico City’s government or SEMOVI, which typically publish updated municipal mobility laws covering electric scooters and battery-powered motorcycles. If you need accurate guidance on VEMEPE license requirements, I recommend checking Mexico City’s official government websites or contacting local transport authorities directly.
It's important to note that vehicles not covered by the new law are those with pedal assistance or human traction, such as a classic motorized bicycle that doesn't exceed 25 km/h. The new law also aims to establish conditions necessary to safely guarantee the right to mobility for those using the city's streets.
Opponents of the measure view VEMEPEs as practical, cheap, and ecological means of transportation. However, the law is designed to ensure that these vehicles are used responsibly and safely, contributing to a more orderly and safer city for all.
