E-scooter FAQ
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, are motorised two-wheel vehicles that are self-propelled. While they have gained popularity in other parts of the world, they have not been widely used in the UK due to their legal status on public highways.
E-scooters represent a form of personal and individual micromobility. They have the potential to contribute significantly to various environmental and urban challenges. This includes reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, decreasing congestion, and enhancing accessibility to transportation in city and town centres. Consequently, they play a role in supporting the green economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Gloucestershire, e-scooters align with our vision of becoming an attractive county, appealing to and encouraging young individuals to establish their lives here. It is important to note that all e-scooters are equipped with GPS trackers, allowing for easy location tracking. Additionally, their speed can be controlled or limited based on their location. They are subject to a maximum speed limit of 15mph, which is consistent with e-bikes.
By embracing e-scooters, we are embracing a sustainable and forward-thinking mode of transportation that aligns with our environmental goals and supports the growth of our community
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, are motorised two-wheel vehicles that are self-propelled. While they have gained popularity in other parts of the world, they have not been widely used in the UK due to their legal status on public highways.
E-scooters represent a form of personal and individual micromobility. They have the potential to contribute significantly to various environmental and urban challenges. This includes reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, decreasing congestion, and enhancing accessibility to transportation in city and town centres. Consequently, they play a role in supporting the green economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Gloucestershire, e-scooters align with our vision of becoming an attractive county, appealing to and encouraging young individuals to establish their lives here. It is important to note that all e-scooters are equipped with GPS trackers, allowing for easy location tracking. Additionally, their speed can be controlled or limited based on their location. They are subject to a maximum speed limit of 15mph, which is consistent with e-bikes.
By embracing e-scooters, we are embracing a sustainable and forward-thinking mode of transportation that aligns with our environmental goals and supports the growth of our community
E-scooters are illegal to use on the public highway in the UK. This has not changed for the DfT trial.
What is different is the "Statutory Instrument" that has been put in place via the DfT, to allow e-scooters that are part of the trial process to be used.
That means only those e-scooters which are part of the scheme are legal to use, and only during the trial period, in the trial areas specified. The e-scooters in Gloucestershire cannot be taken and used by a rider in a different place, even if that place has its own e-scooter trial running.
E-scooters are illegal to use on the public highway in the UK. This has not changed for the DfT trial.
What is different is the "Statutory Instrument" that has been put in place via the DfT, to allow e-scooters that are part of the trial process to be used.
That means only those e-scooters which are part of the scheme are legal to use, and only during the trial period, in the trial areas specified. The e-scooters in Gloucestershire cannot be taken and used by a rider in a different place, even if that place has its own e-scooter trial running.
- E-scooters are equipped with GPS units and are geo-fenced, meaning they can only operate within a predetermined area. If they leave this area, the motor will stop working. Currently, the geo-fenced areas are central Cheltenham and central Gloucester.
- Designated parking bays have been established in city and town centres for e-scooters to be parked. This measure ensures that e-scooters are not left in unsafe or inappropriate areas. All parking bays have been approved by the highways authority and local councils as safe places to park. Riders may face small fines if they leave the e-scooter anywhere other than a designated Voi parking bay.
- E-scooters have a speed limit, similar to e-bikes, with a top speed of 12.5 mph. The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently recommended lowering this limit to 12 mph for the trial period.
- During the trial period, e-scooters can be used wherever bicycles are allowed.
- In busier parts of the two areas, the speed of e-scooters will be further limited to ensure safety. They will still function but at a reduced speed.
COVID-19 Health and Safety
- If you feel unwell, please do not use an e-scooter.
- If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please stay at home, book a test, and follow Government and NHS instructions.
- Voi staff regularly clean all vehicles in every fleet, with particular attention to the upper mast, handlebars, and other contact areas.
- Everyone must clean the handlebars before and after riding. Please consider the next person who will be using the scooter.
- Please maintain a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from everyone else while riding.
Safety advice
- Wear a helmet as you would on a bicycle.
- Remember the highway code - e-scooters are classed as vehicles even though they can be ridden on a cycle path.
- Speeds are limited to 12mph during the first phase of the trial.
- There are some areas where you cannot ride, such as motorways and shopping centres. Your scooter will switch off if you enter a "no go" area. Refer to the map in the Voi App to see where you can ride a Voi e-scooter.
- Always ride with due care and attention, and be mindful of pedestrians who may not be able to see or hear you.
- Irresponsible or dangerous riding could result in fines and penalties on your licence.
- E-scooters are equipped with GPS units and are geo-fenced, meaning they can only operate within a predetermined area. If they leave this area, the motor will stop working. Currently, the geo-fenced areas are central Cheltenham and central Gloucester.
- Designated parking bays have been established in city and town centres for e-scooters to be parked. This measure ensures that e-scooters are not left in unsafe or inappropriate areas. All parking bays have been approved by the highways authority and local councils as safe places to park. Riders may face small fines if they leave the e-scooter anywhere other than a designated Voi parking bay.
- E-scooters have a speed limit, similar to e-bikes, with a top speed of 12.5 mph. The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently recommended lowering this limit to 12 mph for the trial period.
- During the trial period, e-scooters can be used wherever bicycles are allowed.
- In busier parts of the two areas, the speed of e-scooters will be further limited to ensure safety. They will still function but at a reduced speed.
COVID-19 Health and Safety
- If you feel unwell, please do not use an e-scooter.
- If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please stay at home, book a test, and follow Government and NHS instructions.
- Voi staff regularly clean all vehicles in every fleet, with particular attention to the upper mast, handlebars, and other contact areas.
- Everyone must clean the handlebars before and after riding. Please consider the next person who will be using the scooter.
- Please maintain a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from everyone else while riding.
Safety advice
- Wear a helmet as you would on a bicycle.
- Remember the highway code - e-scooters are classed as vehicles even though they can be ridden on a cycle path.
- Speeds are limited to 12mph during the first phase of the trial.
- There are some areas where you cannot ride, such as motorways and shopping centres. Your scooter will switch off if you enter a "no go" area. Refer to the map in the Voi App to see where you can ride a Voi e-scooter.
- Always ride with due care and attention, and be mindful of pedestrians who may not be able to see or hear you.
- Irresponsible or dangerous riding could result in fines and penalties on your licence.
The Department for Transport wish to run a national trial to review the potential for e-scooters as a sustainable transport solution to congestion, pollution, social mobility, accessibility, green economic recovery.
The Department for Transport wish to run a national trial to review the potential for e-scooters as a sustainable transport solution to congestion, pollution, social mobility, accessibility, green economic recovery.
- As the local transport authority, we have facilitated the trial of e-scooters in our area as part of the Department for Transport initiative.
- Voi has been appointed as the operator responsible for running the trial.
- For any issues or concerns related to the e-scooters, please contact Voi directly. They are the provider of the Voi e-scooters used in the trial.
Contact details for Voi customer services:
- Phone:+44 7476 550190
- Email:support team
- As the local transport authority, we have facilitated the trial of e-scooters in our area as part of the Department for Transport initiative.
- Voi has been appointed as the operator responsible for running the trial.
- For any issues or concerns related to the e-scooters, please contact Voi directly. They are the provider of the Voi e-scooters used in the trial.
Contact details for Voi customer services:
- Phone:+44 7476 550190
- Email:support team
There is no funding for any of these schemes. The operators are taking all the financial risk. No money is available for funding from Gloucestershire County Council.
There is no funding for any of these schemes. The operators are taking all the financial risk. No money is available for funding from Gloucestershire County Council.
Gloucestershire County Council are supporting the DfT in running this trial. Local authorities were invited to support the DfT by hosting trials in their area. This meant applying to the DfT for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) and finding an operator to run the scheme.
Gloucestershire County Council are supporting the DfT in running this trial. Local authorities were invited to support the DfT by hosting trials in their area. This meant applying to the DfT for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) and finding an operator to run the scheme.
The trial will run for 12 months.
The trial will run for 12 months.
The law states that you must be at least 16 or over and have a provisional or full driving licence (including mopeds) to ride an e-scooter in the UK. You need your driving licence details to hire an e-scooter.
- Voi Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old and hold a full or provisional driving licence.
- Personal responsibility: Do not allow others to use your Voi account or driving licence, as you will be held accountable for any misuse.
- Riding on the pavement: Never ride an e-scooter on the pavement. Please use designated cycling lanes or roadways.
- Sobriety: Do not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is important to remain alert and in control while operating the e-scooter.
- Single occupancy: Only one person is allowed per e-scooter. Please refrain from carrying passengers.
The law states that you must be at least 16 or over and have a provisional or full driving licence (including mopeds) to ride an e-scooter in the UK. You need your driving licence details to hire an e-scooter.
- Voi Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old and hold a full or provisional driving licence.
- Personal responsibility: Do not allow others to use your Voi account or driving licence, as you will be held accountable for any misuse.
- Riding on the pavement: Never ride an e-scooter on the pavement. Please use designated cycling lanes or roadways.
- Sobriety: Do not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is important to remain alert and in control while operating the e-scooter.
- Single occupancy: Only one person is allowed per e-scooter. Please refrain from carrying passengers.
- Download the Voi app on your mobile phone and follow the instructions provided.
- Download for iOS
- Download for Android
- Ensure you have a valid driving licence and register it on the app.
- Add a credit or debit card to your account for payment purposes.
- Take the time to read or watch the safety briefing provided.
- Once completed, you can unlock an e-scooter through the app and begin your ride
- There are step-by-step instructions on the Voi website:
- Download the Voi app on your mobile phone and follow the instructions provided.
- Download for iOS
- Download for Android
- Ensure you have a valid driving licence and register it on the app.
- Add a credit or debit card to your account for payment purposes.
- Take the time to read or watch the safety briefing provided.
- Once completed, you can unlock an e-scooter through the app and begin your ride
- There are step-by-step instructions on the Voi website:
Gloucester and Cheltenham have been chosen for the trial as they are Gloucestershire's biggest town/city centres, with large numbers of residents, visitors and businesses who might benefit from having an alternative way to get around. Both areas also have high levels of congestion and poor air quality as a result, so trialling a clean, green method of making short journeys would improve pollution.
Gloucester and Cheltenham have been chosen for the trial as they are Gloucestershire's biggest town/city centres, with large numbers of residents, visitors and businesses who might benefit from having an alternative way to get around. Both areas also have high levels of congestion and poor air quality as a result, so trialling a clean, green method of making short journeys would improve pollution.
Yes, we have spoken to the Police, who are supportive of a trial to see if we can find new ways to travel around cities and urban areas that are sustainable. They understand the differences between rental Voi e-scooters that are part of the scheme, and any other kind of e-scooter, which remains illegal to ride.
Because you need a driving licence to rent an e-scooter, any unlawful activity taking place with or on an e-scooter can result in points or a ban on your driving licence, as well as a fine.
Yes, we have spoken to the Police, who are supportive of a trial to see if we can find new ways to travel around cities and urban areas that are sustainable. They understand the differences between rental Voi e-scooters that are part of the scheme, and any other kind of e-scooter, which remains illegal to ride.
Because you need a driving licence to rent an e-scooter, any unlawful activity taking place with or on an e-scooter can result in points or a ban on your driving licence, as well as a fine.
Last reviewed: