How And Where To Rent An Electric Scooter In Belgium! (In 2022)

The electric scooter has made its way into Belgium in recent years and has extremely popular. But what about the rules and legislation surrounding e-scooters in Belgium? And as a tourist, can you use an e-scooter in Belgium?

These are all questions we are regularly asked. That is why on this page we are going to tell you everything about the laws and regulations, and possibilities for tourists in 2022 regarding electric scooters in Belgium.

Electric scooter rules in Belgium: what exactly are they?

In Belgium, there are special rules and legislation for electric scooters. A distinction is made between e-scooters with or without a seat. For example, both types are divided into different vehicle classes.

This means that different rules apply for an electric scooter with a seat than for an electric scooter without a seat. Below we explain exactly what the rules are for an electric scooter in Belgium for both types.

Rules for regular electric scooters

Electric scooters without a seat are classified as ‘motorized locomotion equipment‘. Since 1 July 2022, the driver of an electric scooter in Belgium is regarded as a cyclist, regardless of speed.

Specific rules, therefore, apply to electric scooters without a seat. Below you can see which rules apply to an electric scooter in Belgium if the scooter does not have a seat:

• The driver of the e-scooter must be at least 16 years old;
• A driver’s license is not required;
• There is a maximum permitted speed of 25 km/h;
• Driving under the influence is prohibited, and the rider may not drive with more than 0.5 promille in the blood (Belgian maximum level of alcohol in your blood);
• Wearing a helmet is not mandatory, but it is recommended;
• No persons may be transported on the electric scooter;
• Insurance for the e-scooter is not mandatory. However, family insurance is recommended to be able to compensate for damage to third parties;
• You are not allowed to use a smartphone while driving;
• It is forbidden to drive on the sidewalk unless otherwise indicated. On a sidewalk where it is allowed you should drive at a walking pace;
• When it is dark, or visibility is limited to 200 meters, it is mandatory to switch on the lighting.

Rules for an electric scooter with a seat

The rules for an electric scooter in Belgium with a seat are different from those for an electric scooter without a seat. An electric scooter with a seat is seen as a moped rider. Again, a distinction is made on the basis of the maximum speed.

An electric scooter with a seat and a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h is classified as ‘moped class A‘. The electric scooter with a seat and a maximum speed of up to 45 km/h are classified as a ‘class B moped‘. Different rules apply to both classes. We have listed them clearly below for you:

Rules for electric scooters with a seat up to 25 km/h:

• There is a minimum age of 16 years;
• The electric scooter must be registered with a registration number for moped class A;
• Insurance for the e-scooter is mandatory;
• The driver is not required to have a driver’s license;
• A Certificate of Conformity (CVO) is required;
• Wearing a helmet is mandatory;
• Lighting must be turned on both during the day and at night;
• A passenger may be carried, provided the driver is 18 years of age or older;
• As a driver, you must comply with the traffic rules that apply to moped class A.

Rules for electric scooters with a seat up to 45 km/h:

• There is a minimum age of 16 years;
• The electric scooter must be registered with a registration number for moped class B;
• Insuring the e-scooter is mandatory;
• The driver is required to have a valid driver’s license (minimum AM driver’s license if born after 15-2-1961);
• A Certificate of Conformity (CVO) is required;
• Wearing a helmet is mandatory;
• Lighting must be turned on both during the day and at night;
• A passenger may be carried, provided the driver is 18 years of age or older;
• As a driver, you must comply with the traffic rules that apply to moped class B. 

Is there a minimum age for riding an electric scooter in Belgium?

To be allowed to participate in traffic with an electric scooter in Belgium, a minimum age of 16 applies from 1 July 2022. This is the minimum age for electric scooters with and without a seat.

There are exceptions for children and teenagers under the age of 16. They are allowed to ride an electric scooter in (residential) yards, playing streets, and pedestrian zones. In a pedestrian zone, the speed must be adjusted.

Is it mandatory to have a driver’s license?

for electric scooters up to 25 km/h (with or without a seat) not need a driver’s license. Do you ride an electric scooter with a seat with a maximum speed of up to 45 km/h? Then you must be in possession of at least an AM driver’s license if you were born after 15-2-1961.

Do you need to take out electric scooter insurance?

It is not mandatory to take out insurance for electric scooters without a seat. It is recommended that you take out family insurance to cover damage to third parties.

For electric scooters with a seat, you are obliged to take electric scooter insurance. You are seen in traffic as a moped rider.

Where in traffic should you drive?

Where you can drive an electric scooter in Belgium depends on the speed. The following rules apply to this:

• Up to 6 km/h: at a speed of up to 6 km/h you can drive on the sidewalk and in pedestrian zones, the same rules apply to pedestrians.
• Faster than 6 km/h: with speeds faster than 6 km/h per hour, the same rules apply to cyclists. In that case, you are obliged to use the bicycle path. Is there no bicycle path available? Then you can use the right side of the road.
• E-scooters with seat: for electric scooters with a seat (up to 25 km/h or 45 km/h) the same rules apply as for moped riders.

Is wearing a helmet mandatory?

Wearing a helmet is not mandatory for electric scooters without a seat. However, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended as it can prevent damage and injury.

For drivers of an electric scooter with a seat, regardless of the maximum speed, it is mandatory to wear a helmet. Is the driver 18 years or older and is he/she transporting a person? Then the passenger is also obliged to wear a helmet.

What is the maximum allowed speed on an electric scooter?

The maximum allowed speed for electric scooters without a seat is 25 km/h on public roads. A maximum permitted speed of 45 km/h on public roads applies to electric scooters with a seat.

Can I drive an electric scooter on the public road?

Driving an electric scooter on the public road in Belgium is allowed, provided you are 16 years or older. If you ride an electric scooter with a seat and a maximum speed of 45 km/h, you are also required to have at least an AM driver’s license to be allowed to drive on public roads.

As a tourist, can I rent an electric scooter in Belgium?

Renting an electric scooter in Belgium can be done in two different ways. For example, you can use a shared scooter or rent an electric scooter from a rental company. If you visit a large city, it is often possible to rent a shared scooter. In addition, this is usually the cheapest option.

Rent a scooter in Belgium

in several major cities rent an electric scooter. These are electric scooters from companies that they make available to the public to rent. To use it, you need to download an app after which you can unlock and use a sharing scooter. This works as follows:

1. Download the app: download the app from an active provider in the region. View the overview below of which providers are active in Belgium.
2. Create an account: open the app and create an account by filling in the necessary information. Then select a payment method.
3. Look for a scooter nearby: view the app on the map where the nearest scooter is parked and navigate yourself here.
4. : Unlock the e-scooter by scanning the QR code. As soon as the scooter is unlocked, the ride starts.
5. Enjoy the ride: plan a route to see the city or drive directly to your destination.
6. Park the e-scooter: when you have arrived at your destination, park the shared scooter at a designated return location and make sure that the scooter is not in the way.
7. : close the trip with the app and then get an overview of the costs and the route you have taken.

Which scooter share providers are active in Belgium?

In Belgium, there are various scooter-sharing providers active. In the major cities, we see shared scooters from various providers, including those of:

• Lime
• Bird
• Dott
• Bolt
• Voi
• Tier
• Hoppy
• Poppy

Each municipality and/or city has made its own agreements with certain shared scooter providers. Below is an overview in which you can see which providers are active where.

City:	Province:	Shared scooter provider(s):
Aalst	East Flanders	Dott
Antwerp	Antwerp	Lime, Bird, Poppy
Blankenberge	West Flanders	Hoppy
Brussels	Brussels Capital Region	Lime, Bird, Poppy, Dott, Voi, Bolt, Tier
Ghent	East Flanders	Hoppy
Hasselt	Limburg	Dott
Kortrijk	West Flanders	Bird
Liège	Liège	Dott
Mechelen	Antwerp	Hoppy
Ostend	West Flanders	Bird

What are the costs?

The costs for renting a shared scooter in Belgium differ per provider. The costs are (almost) always made up of fixed costs for unlocking a partial scooter and the costs per minute. Below we have made an overview of the costs per provider in Belgium.

Shared scooter provider:	Fixed costs (unlock):	Cost per minute:	Cost for a 20-minute ride:
Lime	€1,-	€0,20	€5,-
Bird	€1,-	€0.25	€6,-
Dott	€0, 50	€0.20	€4.50
Bolt	€0,-	€0.15	€3,-
Voi	€1,-	€0.20	€5,-
Tier	€1,-	€0.25	€6,-
Hoppy	€ 1,-	€0.25	€6,-
Poppy	€1,-	€0.25	€6,-

Please note: the costs for both unlocking a shared scooter and the costs per minute can differ per city. The overview above shows the average costs for renting an electric scooter in Belgium. In addition, it is possible with some partial scooter providers to take out hourly, daily or monthly subscriptions. Read more about this on the pages of the various scooter providers.