An e-scooter theory test has been devised by the AA’s DriveTech and e-scooter operator Tier.

The Ride Safe School, an e-learning platform co-designed with DriveTech, aims to to educate people around e-scooter safety and responsible use.

Riders are incentivised to sign up to the online school - where they can complete safety modules, watch video demonstrations featuring AA president Edmund King and take the test - by being offered a free ride on one of Tier’s e-scooters.

Charlie Norman, managing director of DriveTech, said: “We increasingly recognise that road and cycle networks are to be shared with different types of road users.

“E-scooters are a relatively new phenomena in the UK, but one whose presence will grow and grow if implemented correctly.

“We are experts in road safety and have been training drivers and other road users for over 30 years. This experience tells us that we need a strong road safety and risk management message conveyed to all e-scooter users, in order for this new form of mobility to fulfil its potential.

“We are delighted to work with Tier to achieve this. E-scooters can offer a lot to urban mobility, but we don’t want this to be at the expense of safety.”

The platform will teach riders how to safely share designated routes with other vehicles, pedestrians and vulnerable road users. Following the training, users will be invited to complete the theory test.

Fred Jones, general manager for Tier in the UK and Ireland, said: “The safety of our riders and the wider community is our number one priority and we’re very proud to have introduced the most comprehensive e-scooter safety programme on the market.

“Working with the AA and their DriveTech team, we have raised the standards for responsible e-scooter use while continuing to promote it as an easy, sustainable way of getting from A to B.”

Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils have launched a competition to select up to three operators for a 12-month trial of rental e-scooters in the capital, while other councils already have trials up and running.

New regulations allowing trials of rental e-scooters came into force on July 4, with Tees Valley Combined Authority hosting the first e-scooter trials. 

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “E-scooters could be an important innovation to transform mobility in town and city centres.

“I am really pleased that our road training business, DriveTech, is working in conjunction with TIER. Road safety is key and their novel e-scooter safety features – such as an integrated foldable helmet, larger front wheel and direction indicators all help ensure a safer riding experience. The AA and DriveTech see great synergies with our own road safety ethos.”

Read a special report on e-scooters in our November edition of Fleet News.