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Micromobility is here to stay, and it’s changing how we experience urban life for the better. With Unagi’s membership program, you can enjoy all the benefits of a top-tier electric scooter without the sky-high price of ownership or the inconvenience of ride-sharing.
We’re excited to celebrate Unagi’s 5th Anniversary, and we want you to join the fun! To thank you for your support, we're hosting an exclusive $10,000 Airbnb giveaway. No purchase necessary—just enter for your chance to win! Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/4/2024!
In today’s fast-paced world, finding an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation is crucial. E-scooters offer a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban landscapes. Unagi stands out not only for its superior design and performance but also for its affordability and unmatched rental program.
The Hiboy MAX Pro and the Segway Ninebot Max G2 are two of the best e-scooters currently on the market. Let's dissect some of the finer features on offer.
Our guide tells you everything you need to know about North Carolina's electric scooter laws. From license requirements to speed limits, we've got you covered.
Find out everything you need to know about electric scooter laws in Michigan. From licensing to speed limits, we've got you covered.
You've gotten your e-scooter, you're all geared up, and now you're ready to cruise the streets of North Carolina. But are you riding legally?
While they've become incredibly popular, there are still no specific electric scooter laws in most parts of the state. Unsurprisingly, this has led to plenty of confusion and frustration among scooter riders.
But why are electric scooter laws in North Carolina so complicated, and what regulations do you need to follow?
In this guide, we cover all that and more for a safe, legal ride.
Currently, there is no specific legislation for e-scooters under North Carolina law. As a result, electric scooters fall into a legal grey area across the state.
At the state level, e-scooters are currently classed as mopeds, which are legally defined in North Carolina as any vehicle with two or three wheels that can't exceed 30 mph. So, if your scooter's top speed is 30 mph, it's legally classified as a moped.
However, if its top speed exceeds this, it's legally classified as a motorcycle under North Carolina law. Therefore, some of the fastest e-scooters would be subject to the same laws as motorbikes.
To add to the complexity, some cities in the state have their own local laws for e-scooters, where they aren't categorized as motor vehicles. These cities include:
For the purposes of this article, we'll cover the laws that are most commonly applied to e-scooters in North Carolina (the laws for moped riders). Yet, if you're a scooter rider in any of the cities mentioned above, you need to familiarize yourself with the local laws.
As e-scooters are classed as mopeds in North Carolina, the same licensing and registration laws apply. This means electric scooters must be registered with the North Carolina DMV, and riders must hold a valid driver's license.
Under existing NC law, you need to be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter. However, as with many of the laws on this list, local regulations on age limits can vary.
For example, in Raleigh, the legal age limit for e-scooter riders is 18.
It's legal to ride an electric scooter on the road in North Carolina, but only on roads with maximum speed limits of 25 mph. This aligns with the state's moped laws and means that e-scooter riders can't exceed 25 mph on any road.
Luckily, both Unagi rental scooters, the Model One Voyager and the Model One Classic, have top speeds of 20 mph. So, they'd be the perfect option for zipping around North Carolina.
Generally, electric scooters can't be ridden on sidewalks in North Carolina but, again, this varies by city.
For instance, in Raleigh, you can't ride your scooter on the sidewalk, but you're legally allowed to use bike lanes. On the other hand, in Charlotte, you can ride on the sidewalk as long as you don't exceed 15 mph and yield to pedestrians.
Technically, as with mopeds, e-scooters do need number plates in North Carolina. Yet, this is clearly unrealistic and is another example of the legal grey area concerning e-scooters in the state.
In cities with specific scooter regulations, number plates aren't required. If you live in a city without specific laws, you should ask the DMV whether you will need number plates for your scooter.
Although parking laws vary, e-scooters usually need to be parked in designated hubs. Often, they can also be parked on sidewalks, provided they don't create obstructions for pedestrians.
Plus, scooters must be parked in an upright position and shouldn't block doors, access ramps, or fire hydrants.
In North Carolina, e-scooters have the same insurance requirements as mopeds. So, you need the following e-scooter insurance:
In terms of the state-wide regulations, e-scooter riders in North Carolina need to wear a helmet that meets the FMVSS 218 standard (motorcycle helmet).
Once again, this isn't the case in cities like Raleigh, which have their own e-scooter regulations. So, before hitting the open road, check the helmet regulations in your specific area of the state.
Admittedly, e-scooter laws in North Carolina are fairly confusing. Still, if you fail to abide by them, you could receive penalties such as:
As there are currently no state-wide e-scooter laws in North Carolina, it can be quite tricky for riders to determine which laws they have to follow.
The good news: The state is planning to pass legislation to address this.
The bad news (at the moment): There is no estimate of when it will be passed.
For now, you should follow North Carolina moped laws when riding your scooter unless you live in Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, Cary, Greensboro, or Winston-Salem. Just make sure you check the regulations within these cities.
If you'd like to find out the laws in any other state, check out our complete guide to US electric scooter laws.
Stay current with the latest U.S. electric scooter laws in our 2025 guide. Updated annually since our first comprehensive guide, ensuring you have the most recent state and city regulations to ride responsibly”
The Slack Core 920R is currently the fastest electric scooter in 2025 that you can purchase without the need for pre-order.
Our selection of the best electric scooters 2025 spans the fastest e-scooters to the most portable ones, the ones designed for city riding and off-road, the best scooters for rain, budget electric scooters for students, and more powerful ones for skilled riders.
The Unagi Voyager is the best lightweight electric scooter for adults and teenagers. It is the ultraportable sequel to its predecessor, the Unagi Model One Classic.
If you're wondering whether an electric scooter with a seat is right for you, this is a detailed article that would suit your need.
Understand which personal electric vehicle is best, the choice between an electric bike or electric scooter might already be made for you by some critical factors, including portability and storage capacity.
In the U.S., most states don't require a license. For those that do, they usually just ask for a regular driver's license or a learner's permit.
Yes, you can bring an electric scooter on a plane, but it needs to have a lithium battery smaller than 100 watt-hours, which most don't.
Manufacturers advise against riding electric scooters in the rain. The main reasons are: water can fry the electronics, make the ride dangerous, and void your warranty.
The basis and the premise of my work is that we either operate out of love or we operate out of fear...Time is currency. The coolest thing about the scooters is that it's really quick, and it goes uphill. From there, traveling more efficiently and having a good time doing it--I think that's the most important thing.
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