Are Electric Scooters Legal in the UK?
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E-scooters are legal in the UK but, right now, you can only use private electric scooters (e-scooters) on private land with the owner’s permission. It’s illegal to ride e-scooters on the pavement or on public roads.
This may change soon, however. In 2020, the government started running trials in conjunction with over 30 local authorities on e-scooter use. The trial allows councils to rent out electric scooters to members of the public who can then ride them on the road and in cycle lanes.
The aim of the exercise is to provide the government the data it needs to help them decide whether e-scooters are safe in general and whether they should lift current restrictions on where they can be used.
The trials have led to a boom in e-scooter usage across the country. 3.3 million Brits have rented an electric scooter since the launch of the scheme in June 2020. Between them, they have taken a combined total of 47.7 million trips.
Below, find out more about the e-scooter trials that are taking place up and down Britain. We also share the current laws on e-scooter use and whether you can claim compensation if you were involved in an accident involving an e-scooter.
What is an e-scooter?
Using the government’s definition of what a rental scooter is, an e-scooter is a vehicle that has the following characteristics:
- Powered by an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating of 500W
- Carries only one person and may include a seat
- No pedals that can be used to propel the e-scooter
- Top speed of no more than 15.5 mph
- Two aligned wheels, one at the front and one at the back
- Weighs no more than 55 kg including the battery but not the rider
- Handlebars control and are directly linked to the front wheel
- Speed is hand-controlled and the power control defaults to “off”
- A front white and a rear red light
Operators may fit geofencing equipment into an e-scooter to set maximum speeds in given areas.
Source: https://electroheads.com/blogs/news/electric-scooters-legal-uk-law
What is the current electric scooter law in the UK?
Government guidance tells us that members of the public will be committing an offence if they use a privately-owned e-scooter on public land.
The following may apply if you’re found guilty:
- You may have to pay a fine
- Your e-scooter may be impounded
- You may be awarded penalty points on your licence
You can use privately-owned e-scooters on private land as long as the public has no legal right of access and you have consent from the land owner.
Different rules apply to rented e-scooters in the parts of the UK where trials are taking place.
Why are electric scooters illegal?
Electric scooters are not illegal in the UK. However, finding somewhere legal to use them is difficult because e-scooters are classified as “powered transporters”.
A combination of section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 sets out that you cannot ride, lead or draw a powered transporter on the pavement or on footpaths. Areas where they’re also prohibited from use:
- Cycle tracks
- Cycle lanes of roads
- Public roads
- University campuses
- Car parks
- Public squares not restricted to pedestrian use only
- Industrial estates.
The same rules apply to u-wheel, powered unicycles, go-peds, hoverboards, and Segways.
UK e-scooter trials
The UK government is currently running trials to determine whether it should change the laws on e-scooter use in the UK. The trial began in summer 2020 and is due to end on the 1st April, 2026.
What are the rules for e-scooter use during the trial?
You can only take part in the scheme by renting e-scooters from local authorities that are taking part in the trial.
You’re allowed to ride your rental e-scooter on public roads, cycle lanes, and mixed use lanes. You currently can’t do this legally on a privately-owned scooter.
You’ll need either a full or provisional licence that entitles you to operate a vehicle in the “Q” category. You’ll already have this if you have a licence for categories A, AM, or B.
You don’t need to purchase insurance for your rental e-scooter as your electric scooter operator provides this for you.
To stay safe when you’re out on your e-scooter, you should strongly consider wearing a helmet and protective gear to prevent injuries if you’re involved in an accident. It’s also a good idea to wear fluorescent clothing to make yourself visible to others.
Where are the trials taking place?
Towns and cities currently holding e-scooter trials include:
- Aylesbury
- Bath
- Basildon
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Braintree
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Chelmsford
- Cheltenham
- Colchester
- Corby
- Gloucester
- High Wycombe
- Higham Ferrers
- Isle of Wight
- Kettering
- Liverpool
- London (participating boroughs)
- Milton Keynes
- Minehead
- Newcastle
- Northampton
- Norwich
- Oxford
- Poole
- Portsmouth
- Princes Risborough
- Rushden
- Salford
- Slough
- Southampton
- Taunton
- Wellingborough
- Yeovil
Some areas may have a lower maximum speed than the 15.5 mph permitted under the law.
What are the penalties for breaking e-scooter UK law?
Current penalties for breaking e-scooter laws in the UK include:
- £300 and six penalty points for riding without insurance or a licence
- Up to £100 and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence.
- £200 and six penalty points if riding using a mobile or other mobile device.
- £100, a fixed penalty notice (FPN), and possible penalty points for riding through a red light.
- £50 and an FPN for riding on a pavement.
You may face a large fine, driving ban, and potential imprisonment if you drive your e-scooter under the influence of alcohol. If you’re riding anti-socially, your e-scooter may be seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act.
The law currently does not require you to wear a helmet or clothing that makes you stand out more clearly to pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. However, many safety experts recommend that you do so.
Electric scooter FAQ
Can you legally ride an electric scooter in the UK?
You can legally ride an electric scooter in the UK if you’re using a:
- Private e-scooter on private land with no legal right of public access and with the advance permission of the landowner.
- Rented e-scooter on public roads, cycle lanes and mixed use lanes.
Will the police stop me on an electric scooter?
The police will stop you for riding a:
- Private e-scooter on pavements, footpaths, public roads, cycle paths, cycle lanes of roads, car parks, industrial estates, university campuses, and public squares not restricted to pedestrian use only.
- Rented scooter in areas other than public roads, cycle lanes, and mixed use lanes.
- Rented e-scooter if one or more of the following applies: no insurance, no licence, incorrect licence, mobile device use, running a red light, riding on a pavement, riding under the influence, riding anti-socially.
Are electric scooters legal on UK pavements?
It is illegal to ride a scooter on the pavement in the UK. There is a partial exemption for users of rented scooters on mixed use paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
Can a child ride an electric scooter on the pavement?
Children cannot ride an electric scooter on the pavement under existing UK law. It is, in fact, illegal for them to rent and ride a scooter because they won’t hold a valid and qualifying driving licence.
Has anyone ever been fined for riding an electric scooter?
Yes. No central records are kept for this offence. However mainstream media have reported on a teenager fined for repeated public e-scooter use. Bradford Council also fined e-scooter riders £3,768 over a six month period.
When will private e-scooters be legal in the UK?
It’s unclear if and when private e-scooters will be made legal in the UK to ride on public roads. The Government has extended the trial a number of times to gather more data so they can decide whether e-scooters are a safe mode of transport. They may make an announcement on the subject around the time the trial is due to end in April 2026.
Find experienced e-scooter accident lawyers in the UK
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving an e-scooter as either a rider, other road user, or pedestrian, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
The solicitor firms within our network include experienced road traffic accident solicitors and they can support you as you make an e-scooter accident compensation claim.
Get in touch with us and share what happened to you. Our friendly advisors will then let you know whether they believe you have a valid claim. If you do, they’ll put you in touch with one of the hand-picked solicitors in our nationwide network. Many of the solicitor firms in our network work on a no win, no fee basis.*
*Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.
Contact us today on 0800 182 2193 or click here to start your claim.
