Renting an electric scooter in London: the rules and costs

As a tourist, you can use an electric shared scooter in London. You download the app from respective provider, scan the QR code on the scooter and park it at your destination.

There are several rules attached to using a share scooter. Read here what you need to consider and how to discover yourself London on an electric scooter.

What are the rules for using an e-scooter in London?

In London, you are not allowed to ride around on your own e-scooter. The following rules apply to using a shared scooter since 2021:

  • The minimum age is 16 years;
  • A speed limit of 25 km/h applies;
  • You must hold a moped or car licence;
  • A helmet and reflective safety vest are not compulsory, but are recommended;
  • It is not allowed to drive on the pavement;
  • You use the cycle path and otherwise the motorway;
  • You cannot ride two people on one e-scooter;
  • Telephone use during a ride is prohibited.

How do you use an e-scooter as a tourist?

To use an electric share scooter, you need to own a smartphone. You use this in the following way:

how to rent an e-scooter in london
Download the app
Download the mobile app from one of the active providers in London.
Create an account
Create an account and link a payment method. Most providers accept payments via credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Find a share scooter
In the app, see where the nearest e-scooters are located. You can also see the battery percentage of each scooter here.
Unlock the vehicle
Unlock the scooter by scanning the QR code on the handlebar via the app.
End the ride
At the end of the ride, park the e-scooter in the designated zone. End the ride via the app and you will receive a statement of the costs incurred.

Which shared-scooter providers operate in London?

There are three providers operating in London: Dott, Lime and Tier. Each provider has its own app and different charges for using a shared scooter:

Dott

Cost: £0.88 for unlocking and £0.13 per minute for using it

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Lime

Cost: £0.88 for unlocking and £0.14 per minute for using it

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Tier

Cost: £0.88 for unlocking and £0.13 per minute for using it

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Benefit from free rides

Each provider gives users the opportunity to go out for extra cheap with a unique code. You can find this ‘referral code’ in the app. Share the code with others and benefit from free rides this way:

Bird-scooter-referral-code

looking for your own e-scooter?
Browse the electric scooter overview, or navigate to our list of today’s best electric scooters.
https://ukscooter.co.uk/
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