Personal mobility devicePanama

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Panama. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


43. Personal mobility device

A personal mobility device, also called a personal transporter, is a compact device designed to transport one person over relatively short distances. Examples can include kick scooters, electric scooters, skateboards, self-balancing devices and mobility devices.

Personal transporters may be powered by the user's own effort or by an electric motor. Their legal classification, maximum speed, minimum riding age and permitted place on the road vary between countries, so users must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Personal mobility device
A segway. (Nevada, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Maurizio Pesce • CC BY
What is a personal transporter?

A personal transporter is a compact device designed to transport an individual, commonly over relatively short distances.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15, 7bis and 9, cycles, mobility devices and positioning; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 1, 8 and 20; international framework subject to national law

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, powered/unpowered personal devices; French example

Is there a minimum age for using an electric personal transporter?

Some countries impose a minimum riding age for electric scooters and similar motorised devices. The applicable age and exceptions vary between jurisdictions.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15, 7bis and 9, cycles, mobility devices and positioning; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 1, 8 and 20; international framework subject to national law

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, powered/unpowered personal devices; French example

Is a helmet compulsory on a personal transporter?

This varies between countries and device categories. Even where a helmet is not legally compulsory, wearing an appropriate helmet can provide additional protection in a fall or collision.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15, 7bis and 9, cycles, mobility devices and positioning; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 1, 8 and 20; international framework subject to national law

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, powered/unpowered personal devices; French example

1 Panama 2 Railway crossing 3 Reversing 4 Bus 5 Police 6 Pothole 7 Path 8 Particulates 9 Air pollution 10 Rush hour 11 Road code 12 Street gutter 13 Cargo bike 14 Forestry vehicle 15 Construction vehicle 16 Semi-trailer truck 17 Trolleybus 18 Speed pedelec 19 Delivery vehicle 20 Idling 21 Tow truck 22 Four-wheel drive 23 Bicycle 24 Motorcycle equipment 25 Rail track 26 Caravan 27 Trailer 28 Tow hitch 29 Siren 30 Convoy 31 Emergency vehicle lighting 32 Agricultural machinery 33 Electric bicycle 34 Electric vehicle 35 Pedelec 36 Quadricycle 37 Microcar 38 All-terrain vehicle 39 Van 40 Recreational vehicle 41 Scooter 42 Trikke 43 Personal mobility device 44 Skateboard 45 Segway 46 Kick scooter 47 Roller skates 48 Mailman 49 Hitchhiker 50 Toddler 51 Child 52 Disability 53 Motorail 54 km/h 55 mph 56 Speedometer 57 Ride height 58 Dirt road 59 Driving 60 Start-stop system 61 Manual transmission 62 Automatic transmission 63 Throttle 64 Tachometer 65 Steering wheel 66 Power steering 67 Visual scanning 68 Mirror 69 Fuel 70 Fuel gauge 71 Petrol 72 Diesel 73 Diesel exhaust fluid 74 Car insurance 75 First aid kit 76 Fire extinguisher 77 High-visibility clothing 78 First aid 79 Concrete step barrier 80 Barriers 81 Vehicle lights 82 Street lights 83 Dipped beam 84 High beam 85 Fog lights 86 Front fog lights 87 Rear fog lights 88 Side lights 89 Turn signals 90 Hazard lights 91 Dashboard lights 92 Bicycle lighting 93 Bicycle bell 94 Headlight flashing 95 Seat belt 96 Child restraints 97 Head restraints 98 Airbag 99 ABS 100 Esp ...