Those who want to ride electric scooters and bikes will have to take a mandatory test or risk a whopping fine – or even jail time.
Penalties of a S$2,000 (US$1,500) fine or six months in jail for riding without a theory test certificate were listed in two online textbooks released today by the Land Transport Authority. The texts detail what riders may be tested on, including the road code of conduct. The online test will comprise multiple choice questions and be available starting June 30, the authority said, though it did not indicate when it would become mandatory.
“Planning to ride or are already using a power assisted bike/e-scooter? You will soon need to pass a mandatory theory test before riding your device,” it announced online.
The textbooks were released after the Transport Ministry announced the new measure in December in response to a spate of collisions involving pedestrians and such riders, which also led to e-scooters being banned from footpaths. E-bikes, or power-assisted bikes, are allowed on roads but not expressways or road tunnels.
The government will also require riders to be at least 16. Those under 16 can ride e-scooters accompanied by an adult.
The listed penalties also said that repeat offenders may have to pay fines of up to S$5,000 and spend up to a year in jail. The same maximum punishment applies to those found guilty of fraudulent use of the certificate.
The penalties won’t be meted out until the test becomes mandatory.
Other stories:
Dropping banhammer, Singapore forbids e-scooters on all footpaths
‘You are the hazard!’: Singapore’s e-scooter riders lash out at ban
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