How And Where To Rent An Electric Scooter In The United Kingdom – Rules, Costs, And Providers!

Since 2021, several regions in Great Britain have allowed the use of electric scooters. Each region has set its own rules for this and works together with one or more providers. 

Find out here what the rules are for using a shared scooter in the UK, where you can use it, and how it works.

The rules for using an e-scooter in the United Kingdom

You are not allowed to use your own electric scooter on public roads in the United Kingdom. As part of a trial, it is allowed in many regions to rent a rental scooter. Please observe the following traffic rules while driving:

• There is a minimum age of 16 years;
• The maximum speed is set at 25 km/h;
• Possession of a moped or a car driving license is mandatory;
• You do not have to wear a helmet or reflective safety vest, but it is recommended;
• It is not allowed to drive on the sidewalk;
• You have to ride on the bike lane and otherwise on the road;
• You are not allowed to ride with two people on one electric scooter;
• The use of a telephone while driving is prohibited.

This is how you use a shared scooter as a tourist

Example: Bird app

You can rent an electric shared scooter at various locations in the United Kingdom to explore the area. Five different providers are active, each with its own app to use the vehicles. This works as follows:

1.

Download the app Download the mobile app from one of the active providers (see below which providers are active in the UK).

2.

Create an account Create an account and link a payment method. Most providers accept payments via credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

3. Find an electric scooter near you

Check in the app where the nearest electric scooter is located. In the app, you can also see the scooter’s battery percentage.

4. Unlock the vehicle

Scan the QR code on the scooter to unlock the vehicle and start your ride.

5. Park the scooter.

Done with the ride? Check in the app where the nearest return location is and put the scooter back where it will not affect anyone.

6. End the ride

To end the ride simply use the app. You will then see an overview of the route taken and the costs of your ride.

These E-scooter sharing providers are active in the United Kingdom

Each city or municipality has its own agreements with E-scooter rental providers. The largest providers in the UK are:

City	Suppliers
Bath	Voi
Birmingham	Voi
Bristol	Voi
Cambridge	Voi
Canterbury	Bird
Corby	Voi
Coventry	Voi
Higham Ferrers	Voi
Kettering	Voi
Liverpool	Voi
London	Dott, Lime, Tier
Milton Keynes	Lime
North Devon	Voi
Northampton	Voi
Oxford	Voi
Peterborough	Voi
Portsmouth	Voi
Redditch	Bird
Rushden	Voi
Southampton	Voi
York	Tier
Wellingborough	Voi
West Bromwich	Voi

These are the costs for renting an electric scooter in the UK

The costs for using a rental E-scooter are made up of costs for unlocking and a rate per minute. These costs differ per provider. 

On average you pay £1 to unlock your e-scooter. Then pay £0.15 per minute to use the e-scooter. For example, you pay £2.50 for a 10-minute ride. 

Tip: take advantage of free rides

Several E-scooter rental companies offer users the option to share a ‘referral code’ with someone via the app. You can find this personal code in the app.

Are you planning to go out with two or more people with shared scooters? This is how you unlock free rides:

Example: Tier app