Everything you need to know about using hoverboards outside

So, you’ve bought a hoverboard and are wondering if can you use hoverboards outside? The good news is, this nifty personal transportation device can be ridden inside and out. A hoverboard can tackle all kinds of surfaces from carpet through to cut grass and bumpy terrain.

Firstly though, when pondering upon whether or not you can use your hoverboard outside, you need to decide where you want to ride before you buy, if that’s possible. This is because hoverboards come with three different wheel sizes and each of these is suitable for a range of surfaces.

When to choose a 6.5” wheel hoverboard

These are the smallest wheels available on most hoverboards and are great for kids, newbies and anyone who wants to ride their hoverboard around the house. The small wheel size means you can do tight turns and you’ll be able to ride on carpet and flooring such as wood, lino and stone.

When to choose an 8.5” wheel hoverboard

Hoverboards with an 8.5” wheel are know as off road hoverboards, because they can tackle more challenging terrain than the 6.5” version, so if you are looking for all-terrain adventures, this could be the model for you. They mostly come with solid grip rubber tyres, which means you don’t have to worry about punctures. The bigger wheel size also gives you ground clearance, meaning that lumps and bumps aren’t so much of a problem.

When to choose a 10” wheel hoverboard

if you want to tackle the toughest and steepest of terrains possible, then this is the best choice. The tyres are inflatable, which gives extra shock absorption meaning that a bumpy ride is a walk in the park. The 10” wheels also give you massive ground clearance. To really max out on the adrenalin, consider turning your 10” hoverboard into a hoverkart. This is an easy to attach device that adds a seat, an extra wheel and steering poles, turning your hoverboard into a kart.

Where can you use hoverboards?

Now you’ve chosen a hoverboard to suit the kind of rides you have in mind, you need to consider the legalities of where you can use hoverboards UK. Unfortunately, it is illegal to ride a hoverboard on public roads, highways or parks. You can only ride a hoverboard on private land with the owner’s permission.

This is because hoverboards are classed as a motorised vehicle and should be taxed and insured if they are ridden in public – and you can’t buy road tax for hoverboard or buy the sort of insurance you’d need to be able to ride on the roads or pavements. Breaking these rules can result in a fine.

In some countries, you can ride hoverboards in public, but there are some limitations, such as speed and age of the rider. Given that there is a huge drive towards greener modes of transport, it is only a matter of time before the UK Government sees sense and recognises that hoverboards are the way forward when it comes to planet friendly modes of transport.