Starting August 7, 2026, new traffic rules come into force in Montenegro. The changes affect children, parents, e-scooter owners, young drivers, and anyone who transports children or drives without wearing a seatbelt.
Starting August 7, 2026, new traffic rules come into force in Montenegro. The changes affect children, parents, e-scooter owners, young drivers, and anyone who transports children or drives without wearing a seatbelt.
The law tightens liability for a number of violations and, for the first time, regulates in detail the use of so-called light electric vehicles, which include e-scooters meeting certain technical specifications. At the same time, new restrictions are introduced for drivers under 21, certain fines are increased, and police gain the authority to temporarily seize a vehicle from drivers who repeatedly commit serious violations.
Official Gazette of Montenegro 111/2026: https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/396630
NEW TRAFFIC RULES FROM AUGUST 7, 2026
- Children under 16 are prohibited from riding an e-scooter on public roads.
- Parents or guardians who allow a child to violate this ban face a fine of €150 to €400.
- Drivers under 21 are prohibited from driving between 00:00 and 05:00.
- Drivers under 21 are prohibited from driving a category B vehicle with power exceeding 80 kW without an experienced driver present.
- Violating the restrictions for young drivers carries a fine of €300 to €600 and a 60-day driving ban.
- The fine for not wearing a seatbelt increases to €150–300.
- Improperly transporting a child under five carries a fine of €80–250.
- Police will be able to temporarily seize a vehicle from a driver who commits one of the violations specified by law, if within the previous two years they have already been finally convicted of any of these violations.
E-SCOOTERS: NEW RULES
Until now, the use of e-scooters in Montenegro has not been regulated in such detail. For the first time, separate rules are being introduced for light electric vehicles.
THE MAIN CHANGE CONCERNS CHILDREN: A CHILD UNDER 16 MAY NOT RIDE A SCOOTER ON THE ROAD
A person under 16 is not permitted to operate a light electric vehicle on a public road. Responsibility rests with the parents or guardians. If a parent or guardian allows a child under 16 to take such a vehicle onto a public road, the fine will be €150 to €400.
Important: the ban applies specifically to public roads. Using a scooter in the yard of a private house or on other land that does not have the status of a public road is not covered by this particular provision.
WHAT COUNTS AS A LIGHT ELECTRIC VEHICLE?
The law introduces a specific definition. A light electric vehicle is a motor vehicle that:
- has at least two wheels;
- has mechanical steering;
- has no seat;
- has a rated continuous motor power of up to 0.6 kW;
- has a maximum design speed of up to 25 km/h;
- has an unladen weight of up to 35 kg.
It is therefore important to understand that not every e-scooter automatically falls under this definition. If a vehicle has a seat, greater power, a higher design speed, or greater weight, it may not meet the statutory definition of a light electric vehicle.
WHERE CAN YOU RIDE AN E-SCOOTER?
Separate requirements apply to scooter riders regarding road use. In the absence of cycling infrastructure, a person under 18 may only enter the roadway where the maximum permitted speed does not exceed 30 km/h.
A separate rule applies to persons over 18: riding on the roadway is permitted where the maximum speed does not exceed 50 km/h. This means that before entering the road, one must take into account not only the scooter itself, but also the traffic arrangements on the specific stretch of road.
ONE SCOOTER — ONLY ONE PERSON
Carrying a passenger on a light electric vehicle is now prohibited. It is also prohibited to:
- tow a trailer;
- tow another vehicle;
- tow another means of transport.
Carrying another person or towing carries a fine of €150 to €300. A scooter is designed for a single rider.
DO NOT LET GO OF THE HANDLEBARS OR USE HEADPHONES
The rider must operate the scooter in a way that does not reduce its stability or create obstacles for other road users. It is prohibited to:
- let go of the handlebars;
- hold on to another vehicle;
- carry a load that affects stability;
- use headphones in one or both ears in a manner prohibited by law.
Fines for such violations can range from €80 to €250. If several e-scooter riders are moving in a group, they must ride one behind another rather than side by side across the road.
THE SCOOTER MUST HAVE A MANUFACTURER'S LABEL
This is another important change that parents in particular should take into account before buying an e-scooter. A light electric vehicle will only be allowed to take part in traffic if it carries a manufacturer's label showing:
- the rated power of the electric motor;
- the maximum design speed;
- the unladen weight of the vehicle.
Operating a scooter without the required labeling carries a fine of €150 to €400. That is why, when buying a scooter, it is not enough to check only the top speed — the vehicle's specifications and the presence of the appropriate factory labeling must also be verified.
HELMETS: AN IMPORTANT NUANCE
The amendments do not introduce a specific requirement for riders of light electric vehicles to wear a protective helmet. However, the absence of a mandatory requirement does not mean there is no risk. A protective helmet remains one of the most important safety measures, especially for children and teenagers.
DRIVERS UNDER 21
Separate rules and new restrictions are being introduced for young drivers. A driver who has not yet turned 21 is not permitted to operate a motor vehicle between 00:00 and 05:00.
In addition, a driver under 21 may not drive a category B vehicle with an engine power exceeding 80 kW.
There is an exception. Such a vehicle may be driven if it also carries a person who holds a valid category B driving licence obtained at least five years earlier. This person does not need to be a relative. What matters is that they are in the vehicle, hold a valid category B licence, and have the required five years of driving experience.
WHAT HAPPENS FOR A VIOLATION?
Violating the restrictions set for drivers under 21 carries a fine of €300–600.
In addition to the fine, the driver's licence may be suspended for 60 days. These restrictions do not apply to drivers of vehicles with right of way or to escorted vehicles.
POLICE WILL BE ABLE TO TEMPORARILY SEIZE A VEHICLE
Another significant change concerns drivers who repeatedly commit serious violations. A police officer will be able to temporarily seize a vehicle on which a certain serious road-safety offence has been committed, if the offender has already been finally convicted of the corresponding offence within the previous two years.
The temporary seizure may continue until the court proceedings are concluded. The costs of storing the vehicle are borne by the person from whom it was seized. The measure applies specifically to the vehicle on which the violation was committed — in practice, this may affect not only a vehicle belonging to the offender personally, but also a vehicle belonging to a parent or another family member, if the serious violation was committed in that particular vehicle.
SEATBELTS: FINES HAVE INCREASED
The requirement to wear a seatbelt itself has not changed. What has changed is the size of the fine. A driver or passenger who does not use the seatbelt in the manner intended by the manufacturer may receive a fine of €150–300. Previously, the fine was €50–90. The difference is substantial — wearing a seatbelt is now not only a matter of safety, but also a matter of significant financial liability.
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN A CAR
The basic rules for transporting children have not changed. A child under 12 may not be carried in the front seat. A child under 5 must be placed in an appropriate child seat or carrier, securely fastened in the vehicle.
However, the fine for violations has increased. If a driver transports a child under five without an appropriate car seat, or the seat is not properly secured, the fine will be €80–250. Previously, the fine was €50–90.
CHILDREN ON BICYCLES
The changes also affect cyclists. A child under 11 will be able to ride a bicycle in a school zone and on an uncategorized road, provided that a person over 16 supervising them is nearby. Previously, this option for children under 11 was explicitly provided for only in a traffic-calmed zone.
Other age restrictions remain in place. On local roads and streets, a child may ride a bicycle independently from the age of 14. On main and regional roads, cycling is prohibited for persons under 16.
SCHOOL ZONES GAIN SPECIAL STATUS
Another important change concerns safety near schools. School zones are now explicitly included in the list of settlement areas to which special road-engineering measures must be applied. This requires the development of a traffic organization plan, as well as the installation of the necessary signs, equipment, and devices. This does not mean that all school zones will automatically be refitted immediately after the law comes into force — but local administrations and road authorities now have a clear obligation to manage traffic near schools with children's safety in mind.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICE?
The new rules affect several groups of road users at once:
- Parents now need to pay particularly close attention to where and how their child uses an e-scooter.
- Scooter owners should check their vehicle's specifications and whether it has the required labeling.
- Young drivers under 21 need to remember two key restrictions: 00:00–05:00 and 80 kW.
- All drivers should keep in mind the increased fines for seatbelt violations and for improperly transporting small children.
- For drivers who repeatedly commit serious violations, the consequences can become even more serious — up to and including temporary seizure of the vehicle.
THE NEW RULES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT NEW FINES
The main purpose of the changes is to make road traffic safer and to encourage road users to act more responsibly — especially children and young drivers. On the road, a mistake can cost far more than any fine. It is therefore better to know the new rules in advance than to learn about them after being stopped by the police.
MotorBOOM monitors changes in Montenegrin legislation so that you know your rights and obligations on the road. Knowing the rules is not only protection against fines — above all, it is safety for you and your loved ones.
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