Renting an electric scooter in Rome: the rules, options and costs

Have you booked a city break to Rome and are looking for a flexible way to discover the Eternal City? Since 2019, you can use an electric shared scooter in Rome. Download a mobile app, search for a vehicle nearby and you are ready for the ride.

Find out what rules to consider, how to rent a scooter and what you pay for it.

Table of Contents

The rules for using an e-step in Rome

Bear in mind the rules below when using an electric scooter in Italy. Please note: if you break the rules, you run the risk of receiving a (hefty) fine:

The minimum age is set at 16 years;
You do not need to hold a driving licence;
A helmet requirement applies up to 18 years of age;
You are required to wear a reflective safety vest in the dark;
You cannot ride an e-step with more than one person;
You should ride on the cycle path if it is present and otherwise on a carriageway where the speed limit does not exceed 50 km/h;
It is forbidden to drive on the pavement.

This is how to use a share scooter as a tourist

In Rome, several companies offer share scooters to rent. You can find the rental scooters on the street and activate them using an app. This works as follows:

how to rent an e-scooter in rome?

App download

Download the mobile app from one of the active providers in Rome.

Create account

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

Partial step search

In the app, see where the nearest scooter is located. You can also see the battery percentage of each scooter here.

Unlock share scooter

Unlock the scooter by using the app to scan the QR-code on the handlebar of the scooter.

End the ride

At the end of the ride, park the vehicle in the designated zone. End the ride via the app and you will receive a statement of the costs incurred.

These shared-step providers operate in Rome

The five largest providers in Rome are Bird, Dott, Lime, Link and Voi. All providers have their own app and other charges:

Bird

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Dott

Cost: no charge for unlocking and £0.13 per minute for using it

Lime

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Link

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Tier

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.17 per minute for using it

Voi

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.17 per minute for using it

Benefit from free rides

Almost every provider gives users the opportunity to use a unique code to take advantageous trips. Using your own referral code, share free rides to others and benefit from this yourself. Share the code with others and benefit from free rides this way:

Bird-scooter-referral-code
Example: Bird app

looking for your own e-scooter?

Navigate to our list of today’s best electric scooters in the UK.