Published 13 July 2020 Last updated 10 January 2023 — See all
updates Contents Introduction Trial areas Driving licences
Insurance Helmets and clothing Where you can use a trial e-scooter
Registration plates and vehicle excise duty Other safety rules for
trial e-scooter users Print this page Introduction The government
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The government is running trials of electric scooters
(e-scooters). This guidance lists the rules for members of the
general public who are using e-scooters that are part of trials.
These rules are only for rental e-scooters used as part
of trials
The rules for private
e-scooters have not changed. It is against the law to use a
privately owned e-scooter. If you use an e-scooter illegally:
you could face a fine
you could get penalty points on your licence
the e-scooter could be impounded
Trial areas
Trials are taking place in these areas:
Bournemouth and Poole
Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes
Risborough)
Cambridge
Cheshire West and Chester (Chester)
Derby
Essex (Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester)
Gloucestershire (Cheltenham and Gloucester)
Great Yarmouth
Liverpool
London (participating boroughs)
Milton Keynes
Newcastle
North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering,
Corby and Wellingborough)
Norwich
Nottingham
Oxfordshire (Oxford)
Redditch
Salford
Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton)
Somerset West (Taunton and Minehead)
South Somerset (Yeovil)
Sunderland
Tees Valley (Hartlepool and Middlesbrough)
West Midlands (Birmingham and Coventry)
West of England Combined Authority (Bristol and Bath)
York
The maximum speed for an e-scooter is 15.5mph.
Trial e-scooters are limited to this speed and in some areas
e-scooters may be limited to a lower maximum speed.
Driving licences
You must have the category Q entitlement on your
driving licence to use an e-scooter. A full or provisional
UK licence for categories AM,
A or B includes entitlement for category Q. If you have one of
these licences, you can use an e-scooter.
If you have a provisional licence, you do not need to show L
plates when using an e-scooter.
If you have an overseas driving licence, you can use an e-scooter
if you:
have a valid full licence from an EU or European Economic Area
(EEA) country (so
long as this does not prohibit you from driving low-speed
mopeds and motorcycles)
have a valid full licence from another country that entitles
you to drive a small vehicle (for example, cars, mopeds or
motorcycles) and you entered the UK within the last 12 months
If you have been resident in the UK for more than 12 months, you must
exchange your licence
if you wish to continue driving in the UK.
You cannot use an e-scooter if you have an overseas provisional
licence, learner permit or equivalent.
Insurance
E-scooters must have motor insurance, but you do not need to
arrange this as this will be provided by your e-scooter rental
operator.
Helmets and clothing
You should wear a cycle helmet when using an e-scooter. Helmets
are recommended but are not a legal requirement.
Make sure that your cycle helmet conforms to current regulations,
is the correct size and is securely fastened.
Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing so that other road
users can see you in daylight, poor light and in the dark.
Where you can use a trial e-scooter
You may use a trial e-scooter on the road (except motorways) and
in cycle lanes.
You must not use an e-scooter on the pavement.
Registration plates and vehicle excise duty
E-scooters do not need to be registered, display registration
plates or pay vehicle excise duty.
Other safety rules for trial e-scooter users
e-scooters should only be used within the local area hosting
the trial
e-scooters should be used by one person at a time.
you must not tow anything using an e-scooter
you must not use a mobile phone when using an e-scooter
you may use a screen to display navigation information, but
this must be set up prior to setting off
always ensure bags or other small items you are carrying will
not cause a danger to you or others around you – for example,
never hang them from the handlebars
you should not ride an e-scooter while drunk or otherwise
intoxicated – you may be prosecuted under drink or drug driving
laws as careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to
users of e-scooters
you should also refer to the terms of use of the e-scooter
operator before renting a trial e-scooter