The Law relating to Scooters

The current Law related to the use of scooters


1. Are electric scooters legal in the UK?

Yes, electric scooters are legal to own in the UK. However, there are lots of restrictions surrounding where they can be used.

2. Where can electric scooters be used?

Currently, electric scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. It is effectively illegal to use them on public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas.

3. Why are electric scooters currently illegal on roads and pavements?

Electric scooters are currently classed as ‘powered transporters’ by the government and fall under the same laws and regulations that apply to all motor vehicles. This means that it’s illegal to use them on pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas, and it would only be legal to use them on public roads if they could meet the same requirements as motor vehicles (e.g., in terms of insurance, tax, license, registration and vehicle construction),
which in practice is virtually impossible.

The formulation of a law specifically covering electric scooters has been under discussion for some time. It looks like there may be some developments in this area in the near future, particularly with the rental trials currently taking place.

When will electric scooters become legal on roads and pavements?

Electric scooter rental trials have been underway in a number of areas across the UK since summer 2020. Local councils have been working with rental providers to test the viability of electric scooters as a safe and effective mode of transport.

The trial period has been extended until the end of November 2022 so that the most comprehensive evidence possible can be gathered. The government is then likely to launch another consultation phase before any official changes to the law are proposed.

Where can you rent an electric scooter?

As of May 2021, electric scooter rental trials are running in the following areas:

  • Bournemouth and Poole
  • Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough)
  • Cambridge
  • Cheshire West and Chester (Chester)
  • Copeland (Whitehaven)
  • Derby
  • Essex (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester)
  • Gloucestershire (Cheltenham and Gloucester)
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Kent (Canterbury)
  • Liverpool
  • Milton Keynes
  • Newcastle
  • North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough)
  • North Devon (Barnstaple)
  • North Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe)
  • Norwich
  • Nottingham
  • Oxfordshire (Oxford)
  • Redditch
  • Rochdale
  • Salford
  • Slough
  • Solent (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton)
  • Somerset West (Taunton and Minehead)
  • South Somerset (Yeovil)
  • Staffordshire (Stafford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme)
  • Sunderland
  • Tees Valley (Hartlepool and Middlesbrough)
  • West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry and Sandwell)
  • West of England Combined Authority (Bristol and Bath)
  • York

You can find an up-to-date list of areas and more information about the rental schemes here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users

Do you need a driver’s license for an electric scooter?

Yes. If you want to rent an electric scooter through one of the schemes mentioned above, then you’ll need to hold a valid full or provisional driving license that includes the ‘Q’ category entitlement. This category can be found on licenses for categories AM, A or B.

Do you need insurance for an electric scooter?

Yes, but this will be provided by your electric scooter rental operator.



I hope that this information is helpful to you.
Further Information available by
Email:- info@primaryelectrics.com
Mobile:- 07970889341

Please Note

This information has been compiled by First Online Store Limited trading as Primary Electrics from researched and published data. Individuals carrying out the instructions in this guide do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement. There is a risk to safety if the operations described in these instructions are not carried out with the approp.riate equipment, skill and diligence and therefore you may wish to consult a bike mechanic. First Onlne Store Limited provides the information for this in good faith and makes no representations as to its completeness or accuracy. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither First Online Store Limited, its suppliers or any of their employees, agents or subcontractors shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information, provided that nothing shall exclude or limit the liability of any party for personal injury or death caused by negligence or for anything else which cannot be excluded or limited by law. Errors and omissions excepted