London E-Scooters
London's rental e-scooter trial — running since June 2021 — lets riders use TfL-approved Lime and Dott scooters across nine geo-fenced boroughs. Private e-scooters remain illegal on every kind of public land in the UK.
Operators
Lime
Active · £1 + £0.20/min
Largest fleet in the London trial; green-and-white scooters across nine participating boroughs.
Open guide →Dott
Active · £1 + £0.20/min
Dutch operator, merged with TIER in 2024. Same trial rules and boroughs as Lime.
Open guide →Voi
Withdrew 2024 · —
Swedish operator. Exited the London trial in 2024 but continues in Bristol, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Open guide →Participating boroughs
Trial scooters are geo-fenced to nine London boroughs:
Outside these zones a scooter's motor automatically cuts out. You cannot park or end a ride beyond the boundary.
FAQs
Are e-scooters legal in London?
Only rental e-scooters from the official Transport for London trial — currently Lime and Dott — are legal on roads and cycle lanes in nine participating boroughs. Private e-scooters remain illegal on all UK public land (roads, pavements, cycle lanes, parks). Police can seize them and issue £300 fines plus 6 driving-licence penalty points.
Which operators run e-scooters in London?
Two active in 2026: Lime and Dott. The TfL trial originally launched in June 2021 with three operators (Lime, Dott and Voi); Voi withdrew in 2024.
Where can I ride a rental e-scooter in London?
Within geo-fenced trial zones across nine boroughs: Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Richmond, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Westminster. Outside these zones the scooter automatically slows and stops.
Do I need a driving licence for an e-scooter in London?
Yes — at least a UK provisional car driving licence. You must be 18+. Operators verify your licence in their app before your first ride. International licences are not accepted on the TfL trial.
How fast do London rental e-scooters go?
Capped at 12.5 mph (20 km/h) by trial rules — lower than the 15.5 mph cap for e-bikes. Some areas have lower 8 mph 'slow zones' enforced via geo-fencing.
Can I ride an e-scooter on the pavement?
No — it is illegal under the Highway Act 1835. Use cycle lanes or roads with a 30 mph or lower speed limit. Pavement riding can void your hire-agreement insurance.
Will the London e-scooter trial become permanent?
The trial was extended until 2026 while the Department for Transport reviews a new national framework. There is no permanent legislation yet — until it passes, only TfL trial scooters remain legal.