Can you use a hoverboard in the park?

You’ve got your new hoverboard, you’ve read the rules and have learned that you can’t ride it on public highways or pavements in the UK, but is it legal to ride your hoverboard in the park?

Officially, the answer to the question is no, you can’t ride your hoverboard in a UK park, unless it is privately owned and you have permission from the landowner.

If you search hoverboard park near me, you will however, find some locations where you are allowed to ride your hoverboard. These are generally businesses that specialise in hoverboard parties and events.

For example, type 'hoverboard Trafford Park' into Google, and you’ll find Hoverboard World in the Leisure Village. This was a purpose built hoverboard track where the public were permitted to ride.

The Hoverboard World Party Track was initially built so that anybody looking to buy a hoverboard in the Breezeboard Pro store, could try one out. However, Breezeboard Pro has since closed.

You won’t find a hoverboard park UK where you can legally ride a hoverboard. Unlike skateboards and bikes, hoverboards are classed as ‘powered transporters’ because they have an electric motor. This means they are in the same category as motor vehicles and are subject to the same laws. To ride one in public legally, you’d have to get an MOT, insurance, fit your hoverboard with a horn, lights and indicators. As it is never going to pass an official MOT, it’s impossible to make your hoverboard legal to ride in the UK.

This doesn’t mean that hoverboards are either banned or illegal in this country. You can ride them at home, in the garden or on any private land with the owner’s permission.

You can’t ride your hoverboard on cycle paths, in parks or any other public space – doing so could result in a fine if you get caught. This also applies to any hoverboard that has been turned into a hoverkart.

It’s easy to turn your hoverboard into a kart with a simple piece of kit and it is a fun way to ride in the back garden. The kart attachment gives you extra stability, enables you to perform tricks and is great for racing against your friends.

If you are unlucky enough to get caught riding a hoverboard in a public place, you are likely to get a warning, however, you could face a fine of up to £500 and your hoverboard could be confiscated. There have been cases of hoverboard riders receiving fines, so it’s best not to risk it.

To be on the safe side, find a private patch of land that you have permission to use, which gives you ample space to ride your hoverboard. You can also ride it at home too.

Because hoverboard popularity has boomed in recent years, it is likely that the Government will revise the rules, and that there will be more venues opening, which invite hoverboarders to ride without breaking the law.