Are Electric Scooters Legal?

UK E-Scooter Legal Guidance

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are becoming an increasingly popular form of personal transport. However, there are important rules governing where privately owned e-scooters can currently be used in the UK.

Before riding your Circooter e-scooter, please make sure you understand the current UK regulations.

Are Electric Scooters Legal in the UK?

Yes. It is legal to buy and own a private electric scooter in the UK.

However, there are strict restrictions on where privately owned e-scooters can be ridden.

Where Can You Ride an Electric Scooter?

Currently, privately owned electric scooters may only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.

Privately owned e-scooters must not be ridden on:

  • Public roads

  • Pavements

  • Cycle lanes or cycle paths

  • Pedestrian-only areas

  • Other public spaces

Owning an electric scooter is legal, but using a privately owned e-scooter in public areas is generally not permitted under current UK law.

Why Can’t Private E-Scooters Be Used on UK Roads?

Electric scooters are currently treated as “powered transporters” under UK law and are subject to many of the same legal requirements that apply to motor vehicles.

For an e-scooter to be used legally on a public road, it would generally need to meet requirements relating to areas such as:

  • Motor insurance

  • Vehicle registration

  • Licensing

  • Vehicle construction and safety requirements

Most privately owned electric scooters do not meet these requirements and therefore cannot legally be used on public roads.

When Will Private E-Scooters Be Legal on UK Roads?

Government-backed rental e-scooter trials have been operating in selected areas of England since 2020.

The trials have been extended until May 2028 to allow the Government to continue gathering information about safety, usage and the role e-scooters may play in future transport policy.

At present, there is no confirmed date for when privately owned e-scooters will become legal for general use on UK public roads.

Until the law changes, privately owned e-scooters must not be used on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or other public spaces.

Using a private e-scooter illegally in public may result in penalties such as:

  • A fine

  • Penalty points on your driving licence

  • The e-scooter being seized

  • Penalties relating to driving without appropriate insurance

What About Rental E-Scooters?

Government-authorised rental e-scooter schemes operate in selected trial areas.

These rental e-scooters are subject to specific regulations and are different from privately owned electric scooters.

Approved rental e-scooters may be used in permitted areas within participating trial locations, subject to the rules of the individual scheme.

Do You Need a Driving Licence for an Electric Scooter?

You do not need a driving licence simply to buy or own a private electric scooter.

However, users of authorised rental e-scooter schemes are generally required to hold a valid full or provisional UK driving licence with the appropriate entitlement.

Do You Need Insurance for an Electric Scooter?

Privately owned e-scooters cannot currently be used legally on public roads under normal circumstances.

For authorised rental e-scooter schemes, the required insurance is normally provided by the rental operator.

Important Notice

UK e-scooter regulations may change over time.

Circooter recommends checking the latest UK Government guidance before using an electric scooter.

All privately owned Circooter e-scooters should currently be used only on private land with the landowner’s permission and in accordance with applicable UK law.