Using a rental e-scooter
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-20)

How to safely use an electric scooter rented as part of a government trial.

Rental e-scooter trials

The government is running trials of rental electric scooters (e-scooters). This guidance explains the rules for members of the general public who are using e-scooters as part of these trials.

Where you can use a rental e-scooter

You can use a rental e-scooter on the road (except motorways) and in cycle lanes in an official trial area (#trial-areas).

You can use the e-scooter on cycle ways with this sign, unless there is a separate sign prohibiting e-scooters from that particular cycle way:

Recommend route for pedal cycles traffic sign

You must not use an e-scooter on the pavement.

Driving licences

To use a rental e-scooter, you must have either a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement.

You can drive a category Q vehicle if your driving licence permits you to drive vehicles in category AM, A or B.

You can see the categories of vehicle you can drive on the back of your UK driving licence.

If you have a provisional licence, you do not need to show L plates.

Foreign driving licences

If you have an overseas driving licence, you can use a rental e-scooter if you have either:
- 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
- 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 (https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence) if you wish to continue driving in the UK.

Check if you can drive in the UK with your non-GB licence (https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence).

You cannot use a rental e-scooter if you have an overseas provisional licence, learner permit or equivalent.

Insurance

The rental scheme operator will provide third-party motor insurance.

Drink or drug use

You must not ride a rental e-scooter while drunk or otherwise intoxicated. Careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to users of e-scooters, so you may be prosecuted under drink or drug driving laws.

Helmets and clothing

You should wear a cycle helmet when using a rental e-scooter. Helmets are recommended but are not a legal requirement.

Make sure that the 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.

Maximum speed

The maximum speed for a rental e-scooter is 15.5mph. In some areas they may be limited to a lower maximum speed.

Other safety rules for rental e-scooters

Rental e-scooters must only 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 before you set 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 refer to the terms of use of the e-scooter operator before renting a trial e-scooter.

Trial areas

Trials are taking place in these areas:
- Bournemouth and Poole
- Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough)
- Cambridge
- Essex (Braintree and Chelmsford)
- Gloucestershire (Cheltenham, Gloucester and surrounding areas)
- Liverpool
- London (participating boroughs)
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle
- North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and Higham Ferrers)
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Salford
- Slough
- Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton)
- West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry)
- West of England Combined Authority (Bristol, Bath and parts of South Gloucestershire)
Private electric scooters

The rules in this guidance are for rental e-scooters used as part of trials only.

The rules for private electric scooters (https://www.gov.uk/electric-scooter-rules) have not changed.

It is against the law to use a privately owned electric scooter on public land. If you use an electric scooter illegally:
- you could face a fine
- you could get penalty points on your licence
- the scooter could be impounded