Dubai E-Scooter Rules: What Riders Must Know as Other Cities Ban Them
Paris, Madrid and Melbourne have ended shared e-scooter schemes, and Brussels will follow. Dubai still allows them, but with an age limit, a speed cap, permits and seizures.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
E-scooters remain legal in Dubai on designated routes, even as cities including Paris, Madrid and Melbourne have shut down their shared rental schemes and Brussels plans to follow from January 1, 2027, according to Gulf News. Dubai's approach is regulation rather than a ban, which means riders who break the RTA's rules face fines and can lose their scooter.
If you use an e-scooter for the last stretch of your commute or to get around your neighbourhood, here is what the rules require.
Dubai e-scooter rules at a glance
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) sets the conditions:
- Minimum age: 16.
- Safety gear: a helmet and reflective clothing.
- Speed: no faster than 20km/h.
- Where: authorised tracks and areas only. Riding on pedestrian pavements, or on roads where scooters are not allowed, is prohibited.
- Permit: you need an RTA e-scooter permit unless you hold a qualifying driving licence.
How Dubai enforces the rules
Enforcement is a big part of Dubai's model. On May 1, 2026, the RTA and Dubai Police launched a dedicated Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit to track violations such as speeding, reckless riding and ignoring safety requirements.
Dubai Police also run regular campaigns. In a recent road safety drive in the Gold Souk area, officers seized 408 electric scooters, e-bikes and bicycles to curb unsafe riding.
Fines and confiscation are both used against violations, so a careless ride can cost you the vehicle as well as money. For other road rules coming into force this year, see 10 New UAE Traffic Laws for 2026: Fines, Tolls & Taxi Hikes.
Rules in other emirates
The rules are not the same across the UAE:
- Ajman: in 2025, Ajman Police banned e-scooters and similar two-wheeled vehicles on public roads and streets, citing traffic violations and accident concerns.
- Abu Dhabi: e-scooters are allowed in designated areas. You can ride on internal roads with speed limits below 40 km/h, shared pedestrian and cycling paths, and designated lanes. They are banned on highways, pedestrian-only walkways, jogging tracks, bridges and tunnels without designated lanes, and roads with limits of 60 km/h or above.
If you also drive in the capital, see Abu Dhabi Traffic Rules: 5 Essential Laws for Drivers to Avoid Fines 2025.
Why safety is in focus
Serious e-scooter crashes in the UAE nearly doubled in 2025. An analysis of Ministry of Interior data by RoadSafetyUAE found a 97 per cent rise in serious e-scooter crashes, against 45 per cent across the wider micro-mobility sector and 23 per cent across all vehicle types.
Abroad, cities have mostly targeted rental operators rather than private owners:
- Paris ended shared rental services in September 2023 after a public vote. Private scooters were not banned.
- Madrid moved in 2024 to end app-based rentals after operators failed to meet riding and parking rules.
- Melbourne voted in August 2024 to end its shared contracts after complaints about unsafe riding and blocked footpaths.
- Copenhagen banned rentals in 2020, then let them back in 2021 under tighter parking rules.
- Brussels approved a shared rental ban on June 11, 2026, effective January 1, 2027, after 666 e-scooter injuries in 2025, up 26 per cent on the year before.
- Toronto goes furthest, prohibiting e-scooters on public roads, pavements and other public spaces, including privately owned ones.
Key takeaway
Dubai still welcomes e-scooters, but only within clear limits: 16 or older, helmet and reflective clothing, 20km/h maximum, authorised tracks and a permit unless your licence qualifies. With a dedicated monitoring unit and regular seizures, riders who ignore the rules risk fines and losing their scooter.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to ride an e-scooter in Dubai?
Yes, you need an RTA e-scooter permit unless you hold a qualifying driving licence.
What is the speed limit for e-scooters in Dubai?
The maximum speed is 20km/h, and you must stay on authorised tracks and areas.
Can I ride an e-scooter on the pavement in Dubai?
No. Riding on pedestrian pavements is prohibited, as is riding on roads where e-scooters are not permitted.
What is the minimum age for e-scooter riders in Dubai?
Riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet and reflective clothing.
Are e-scooters banned in Ajman?
In 2025, Ajman Police announced a ban on e-scooters and similar two-wheeled vehicles on public roads and streets.
Further reading
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