IntroductionRental e-scooter trials

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

Trialways areas

Trialswith arethis takingsign, placeunless inthere theseis areas:

• Bournemoutha andseparate Poole
• Buckinghamshiresign (Aylesbury,prohibiting Highe-scooters Wycombefrom andthat Princesparticular Risborough)
• Cambridge
• Essexcycle (Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester)
• Gloucestershire (Cheltenham and Gloucester)
• Liverpool
• London (participating boroughs)
• Milton Keynes
• Newcastle
• North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and Higham Ferrers)
• North Devon
• Norwich
• Oxfordshire (Oxford)
• Salford
• Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton)
• Somerset (Taunton, Minehead and Yeovil)
• West Midlands (Birmingham)
• West of England Combined Authority (Bristol and Bath)

way:

Driving licences

TrialTo e-scootersuse area limitedrental toe-scooter, thisyou speedmust andhave ineither somea areasprovisional e-scootersor mayfull beUK limiteddriving tolicence with a lowercategory maximumQ speed.entitlement.

Driving licences

You mustcan havedrive thea category Q entitlementvehicle onif your driving licence topermits useyou anto e-scooter.drive Avehicles fullin orcategory provisional UK licence for categories AM, A or BB.

You includescan entitlementsee forthe categorycategories Q.of Ifvehicle you havecan onedrive ofon thesethe licences,back youof canyour useUK andriving e-scooter.licence.

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

Foreign whendriving using a rental e-scooter.

licences

If you have an overseas driving licence, you can use ana rental e-scooter if you:you have either:

• have a valid full licence from an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) country (so- so long as this does not prohibit you from driving low-speed mopeds and motorcycles)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

Use our online tool to check if you can drive in Great Britain with your non-GB licence.

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.

Check if you can drive in the UK with your non-GB licence.

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

Insurance

E-scootersThe mustrental havescheme operator will provide third-party motor insurance,insurance.

Drink butor youdrug douse

You must not needride a rental e-scooter while drunk or otherwise intoxicated. Careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to arrangeusers thisof ase-scooters, thisso willyou may be providedprosecuted byunder yourdrink e-scooteror rentaldrug operator.driving laws.

Helmets and clothing

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

Make sure that yourthe 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.you.

WhereMaximum you can use a trial e-scooterspeed

YouThe maymaximum usespeed for a trialrental e-scooter onis the15.5mph. roadIn (exceptsome motorways)areas andthey inmay cyclebe lanes.

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

Traffic signs with the following cycle symbol apply to e-scooters (unless a signlower ismaximum displayed prohibiting e-scooters from that particular cycle way):speed.

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 trialrental e-scooter userse-scooters

• Rental e-scooters shouldmust only be used within the local area hosting the trial

• e-scooters should be used by one person at a time
• youtime.

  You must not tow anything using an e-scooter

• youe-scooter.

  You must not use a mobile phone when using an e-scooter

• youe-scooter. You may use a screen to display navigation information, but this must be set up priorbefore toyou settingset off
• alwaysoff.

  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

• youhandlebars.

  You should notrefer rideto anthe terms of use of the e-scooter whileoperator drunkbefore orrenting otherwisea intoxicatedtrial –e-scooter.

  Trial youareas

  Trials mayare betaking prosecutedplace underin drinkthese orareas:

  • Bournemouth drugand drivingPoole
  • Buckinghamshire laws(Aylesbury, asHigh carelessWycombe and dangerousPrinces drivingRisborough)
  • Cambridge
  • Essex offences(Braintree, alsoChelmsford applyand toColchester)
  • Gloucestershire users(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 e-scootersWight, Portsmouth and Southampton)

  • youWest shouldMidlands also(Birmingham, referCoventry)

  • West toof theEngland termsCombined Authority (Bristol, Bath and parts of useSouth Gloucestershire)

  Private electric scooters

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

  The operatorrules beforefor rentingprivate electric scooters have not changed.

  It is against the law to use a trialprivately e-scooterowned 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