# E-Scooters, E-Bikes and Personal Mobility Devices in Malaysia: What the Law Allows > E-scooters and most personal mobility devices have been completely banned from Malaysia's public roads since 17 December 2021, while pedal-assist electric bicycles that comply with MS2514 are exempt. - Category: transport - Language: en - Status: published - Updated: 2026-08-08 - Canonical: https://negaraku.md/en/transport/e-scooters-and-personal-mobility-devices --- You buy an e-scooter to get to the office, but the moment its wheels touch a public road, you are already breaking the law. That has been the reality of micromobility in Malaysia since the end of 2021. ## Can e-scooters and PMDs be used on the road? No. Riding an e-scooter or most personal mobility devices (PMDs) on any public road is illegal. This ban is set out in the **Road Traffic Rules (Prohibition of Use of Certain Micromobility Vehicles) 2021**, which took effect on **17 December 2021** under the Ministry of Transport. The ban is not limited to the road surface. According to the sources examined, it covers **any road or any part of a road, including pedestrian crossings** — essentially including streets in residential areas. ## Which devices are banned? The rules list three categories of micromobility vehicle that are prohibited on public roads: | Category | Examples | | --- | --- | | Moped | Low-powered motorcycle (electric or engine), weighing up to 150kg, speed up to 50 km/h | | Personal Mobility Device (PMD) | E-scooter, hoverboard, electric monowheel/unicycle, Segway (speed up to 25 km/h) | | Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) | Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter | Broadly, a "micromobility vehicle" is defined as a vehicle powered by electricity, an internal combustion engine, human power or a combination of these, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h. ## What are the penalties for breaking the rule? An offence can be prosecuted under **Sections 54(1) and 54(2)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987**. On conviction, the penalty is: - A fine of **not less than RM1,000 and not more than RM5,000** - Imprisonment of **up to 12 months** - Or both Note that there is a discrepancy in the figures reported publicly. The figures above are the maximum statutory penalty under Section 54 on conviction (as reported by The Star and Paul Tan). However, in a 2025 press statement, the Melaka JPJ deputy director was quoted saying offenders "may be fined up to RM1,000 or jailed up to three months, or both" (Free Malaysia Today) — likely referring to a lower charge or compound applied in practice. The actual rate imposed should be confirmed with JPJ. Enforcement is carried out by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the police. In 2025, Melaka JPJ reaffirmed the ban following a viral video clip showing three individuals riding e-scooters in the Bachang area of Melaka. ## Where can these devices be used? Micromobility devices can still be used legally, but only in certain areas: - Private premises (for example enclosed areas or one's own compound) - Gazetted recreational parks and playgrounds - Pedestrian zones and specially permitted lanes The key point: these devices cannot venture onto a public road to reach a destination. ## Why are electric bicycles exempt? Ordinary bicycles — including trishaws — are still allowed on the road. Electric bicycles are also exempt, **but only if** they comply with **Malaysian Standard MS2514: Electric Bicycles (Electric Pedal Assisted Bicycles) Specification** (as stated in SoyaCincau and The Star reports). The key distinguishing feature is that a legal electric bicycle must be a **pedal-assist** type — no throttle and with pedals that remain permanently attached. Once an "electric bicycle" has a throttle and can move without pedalling, it falls back into the banned PMD or moped category. This is the grey zone that most often catches food delivery riders using unapproved throttle-equipped electric bicycles. ## What's next Before buying any micromobility device, check whether it is an MS2514-compliant pedal-assist electric bicycle or actually a PMD/moped that is banned from the road. Refer to the official JPJ website (jpj.gov.my) and the Department of Standards Malaysia to confirm the latest specifications, as enforcement and interpretation can change. ## Sources - Kategori Kenderaan Mikromobiliti Yang Dilarang Di Atas Jalanraya — https://www.mkn.gov.my/web/ms/2022/04/27/kategori-kenderaan-mikromobiliti-yang-dilarang-di-atas-jalanraya/ (Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN)) - QuickCheck: Is it legal to ride an electric scooter or e-bike on public roads? — https://www.thestar.com.my/news/true-or-not/2026/07/20/quickcheck-is-it-legal-to-ride-an-electric-scooter-or-e-bike-on-public-roads (The Star) - E-scooters and mopeds banned on Malaysian roads, says transport ministry - bicycles exempt from ruling — https://paultan.org/2022/04/26/certain-micro-mobility-vehicles-banned-on-malaysian-roads/ (Paul Tan's Automotive News) - Illegal to ride e-scooters on public roads, says JPJ — https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/05/04/illegal-to-ride-e-scooters-on-public-roads-says-jpj (Free Malaysia Today) - Wee Ka Siong: Moped and eScooters banned from public roads, but not bicycles and eBikes — https://soyacincau.com/2022/04/26/wee-ka-siong-moped-and-escooters-banned-from-public-roads-but-not-bicycles-and-ebikes/ (SoyaCincau) --- Source of truth: https://github.com/negaraku-md/NegaraKu.md License: CC BY-SA 4.0