Shops and online retailers that sell e-scooters to riders without warning them of the law could face prosecution.
While electric scooters are freely available to buy in the UK you can not ride them on roads or pavements in this country.
According to The Times, transport minister Rachel Maclean said retailers were breaking the law by failing to carry clear disclaimers that the privately-owned vehicles are banned everywhere except private land.
Trading Standards departments at local councils could launch prosecutions.
E-scooters can legally be used on roads and cycle lanes if they are rented from licensed operators in 50 towns and cities across the country.
The vehicles, which can reach 40mph, are limited to 15.5mph when rented. Police have seized thousands of e-scooters being used illegally this year - 2,000 in London alone.
Simon Jupp, Conservative MP for East Devon, said: “You can go into certain shops anywhere in the country and buy an e-scooter off the shelf.”
Ms Maclean said: “It is very clear that they are breaking the law and misinforming consumers if they are not making it clear at the point of sale.”
According to The Times e-scooters sold at Halfords come with a warning they are “not to be used on public roads, cycle paths or pavements”.
Some have called for the scooters to be banned altogether.
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