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Mini Motos

Police in Dumfries and Galloway are focussing their efforts on the problems caused by the illegal and inappropriate use of mini motos. Officers will attempt to educate parents on the laws governing the use of these machines while dealing appropriately with persistent offenders.

In a bid to tackle this growing problem the Home Office has released guidance on the use of petrol driven mini motos, go-peds, electrical and petrol driven scooters and some off-road motorbikes. The guidance is as follows:

Mini motos can be ridden legally on private land and only then with the permission of the land owner. In the case of public recreation areas the owner could be the local council, Forestry Commission or another public body.

Any riders under 16 must be supervised by a responsible adult and all riders must wear an e-marked or kite-marked crash helmet.

Mini motos can be ridden on the road only if the rider is over 16 and has a driving licence and tax and insurance for the vehicle. These bikes cannot be used on footpaths or cycle routes under any circumstances.

If a mini moto is being used illegally, dangerously or in a way likely to cause a nuisance, police have several options depending on the circumstances:

• Once a warning has been issued the bike can be seized and the owner can reclaim it after paying a fee of £105.
• The rider can be prosecuted under road traffic law and, if found guilty, fined and given points on his or her licence. If the rider is too young to have a driving licence the offence will be kept on file and the points deducted when the licence is issued.
• Illegal or nuisance use of these bikes can be used to provide evidence for antisocial behaviour orders.

Police will always try to find a voluntary compromise with the parents of children misusing mini motos.

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