UtahUtah sets highway rules and safety training for electric device riders
Utah law applies motorcycle traffic rules to high-power electric devices, sets highway age and training requirements for young riders, and bars drinking while operating an electric bike.
What it does
High-power electric devices, including certain modified electric bikes, follow motorcycle traffic rules. Riders under 16 may not use them on highways or freeways.
The Department of Public Safety must offer online safety training for electric bike, scooter, and high-power-device riders. Riders ages 8 through 15 generally need a certificate or direct adult supervision to use these devices on a highway.
People under 21 must wear an approved helmet on a highway when riding a motorcycle, electric bike, scooter, or high-power electric device, with exceptions for enclosed cabs and certain rentals.
People may not drink alcohol while operating any class of electric assisted bicycle on a highway or state waters, whether moving, stopped, or parked.
Argument forOnline safety training and a certificate could help younger riders learn safe practices before riding electric devices on highways.
Argument againstThe certificate and supervision rules could make highway rides harder for families with riders under 16, especially when an adult cannot accompany them.
More detail
High-power electric devices follow motorcycle rules, with specific limits and exemptions. A high-power electric device is a self-propelled electric vehicle, other than one subject to title and registration rules, that can travel faster than 20 miles per hour using motor power alone. The definition includes certain modified electric bikes. A high-power device without a vehicle identification number is exempt from the insurance requirement if it is not a motorcycle. Local governments and state agencies may restrict these devices on sidewalks, paths, or trails. When making related rules or planning trails, they must consider access for people with mobility disabilities. These rules take effect May 6, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, sellers must give buyers a warning for covered vehicles.
The Department of Public Safety must provide safety training and issue certificates to people who complete it. The program covers electric assisted bicycles, motor assisted scooters, and high-power electric devices. The age rules apply to riders younger than 16. Riders ages 8 through 15 may use an electric assisted bicycle, motor assisted scooter, or other covered personal electric vehicle on a highway only with a certificate or direct supervision by a parent or responsible adult. Children under 8 may not use a personal electric vehicle on a highway. Riders under 16 may not use a high-power electric device on a highway or any personal electric vehicle on a freeway. A rental business may rent to someone under 16 only if the rider has a certificate or is directly supervised by a parent or responsible adult. The department may charge up to $10 for the program. The program and these age rules take effect May 5, 2027.
People under 21 must wear a helmet when using specified devices on a highway. The helmet rule applies to people younger than 21 using the listed devices on a highway. The requirement covers motorcycles, electric assisted bicycles, motor assisted scooters, high-power electric devices, and autocycles that are not fully enclosed. It does not apply to someone riding in an enclosed cab or to a person using a rented class 1 electric assisted bicycle or rented motor assisted scooter. This requirement takes effect May 6, 2026.
People may not drink alcohol while operating an electric assisted bicycle on a highway or state waters. The rule applies to anyone operating any class of electric assisted bicycle on a highway or state waters. The rule applies whether the bicycle is moving, stopped, or parked. It also bars open or partly consumed alcohol containers on the bicycle. Exceptions apply to passengers in motor homes, campers, certain limousines or chartered buses, and motorboats. The open-container rule also has an exception for passengers in licensed taxis or buses. This rule takes effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ to House
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 5House/ to Senate
- Mar 5House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 5House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 4Senate/ to House with amendments
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 4Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 4Senate/ circled
- Mar 4Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Major
- Feb 25Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 18LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0381S03
- Feb 17LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0381S03
- Feb 17Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 13Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13House/ to Senate
- Feb 13House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 13House/ substituted
- Feb 13House/ uncircled
- Feb 12LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0381S03
- Feb 12LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0381S03
- Feb 12House/ circled
- Feb 12House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0381S02
- Feb 5LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0381S02
- Feb 3House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 3House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Transportation Committee]
- Feb 2House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]Minor
- Feb 2House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]Major
- Feb 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0381S02
- Feb 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0381S02
- Jan 31LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0381S01
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0381S01
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0381
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0381
- Jan 28House Comm - Held [House Transportation Committee]
- Jan 28House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]Major
- Jan 28LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0381S01
- Jan 28LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0381S01
- Jan 27House/ lifted from standing committee [House Transportation Committee]
- Jan 27House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 27House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 27House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 26LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0381
- Jan 26LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0381
- Jan 26Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 26Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
TransportationPublic Safety