E-scooters are a hot topic right now, but not for all the right reasons.

On Tuesday July 16 2024, Dubai Police announced on X (recently known as Twitter) that it has seized a total of 640 e-scooters since the beginning of July, for dangerous driving and rule breaking.

خلال حملة مرورية أطلقتها شرطة دبي منذ بداية الشهر الجاري، تم ضبط 640 دراجة هوائية وسكوتر كهربائياً خالف سائقوها إرشادات السلامة، معرضين حياتهم وحياة الآخرين للخطر، مشددة على ضرورة التزام سائقي الدراجات بالقواعد وإرشادات السلامة المرورية، والقيادة في الأماكن المخصصة لها فقط.… pic.twitter.com/MeRaczMGyt

— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) July 15, 2024

If you didn’t already know, e-scooter riders must have a driving licence from the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

However, using an e-scooter on pavements or cycling tracks doesn’t need a licence. Worth noting, if you have a full driving, motorcycle or an international driving licence, you won’t need the additional permit.

You can find a full list of the current rules and regulations for scooter use on the RTA website, but these are the key rules and regulations to follow while zooming around Dubai:

• Riders should apply for a permit to use their scooter. The application can be made on the RTA website
• Wear a helmet and a reflective jacket
• Avoid reckless driving that puts the public in danger
• Follow speed limits where applicable (usually 15 to 20kph)
• Do not carry anything or any passenger that can cause an e-scooter imbalance
• Dismount the e-scooter while crossing pedestrian crossings
• One person per e-scooter, aged 16 years or older
• Avoid riding e-scooters outside designated or shared lanes
• Follow traffic rules, and warning signs on the tracks
• Leave a safe distance between other e-scooters, bikes and pedestrians

Breaking the rules could cost you Dhs300, or even confiscation of your e-scooter altogether in some cases.

On Friday March 1 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) banned all use of scooters on Dubai Metro.

Four operators are approved to manage the e-scooter rental business in Dubai, two of them you are most probably familiar with: Tier and Lime and the other two are local: Arnab and Skurrt.

All work by scanning a QR code printed on the scooter itself found dotted around the area: just make sure to download the app of your chosen provider to ease the process. Scan, unlock and off you go.

Good to know: Dubai Metro bans e-scooters: What else is banned?

Despite the ban on Dubai Metro, there are plenty of areas you are fine to whizz around in. Check if your area has been given the green light below.

E-scooters in Dubai – where you can ride:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
• Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
• Dubai Internet City
• Al Rigga
• 2nd of December Street
• Palm Jumeirah
• City Walk
• Al Qusais (Safe roads and tracks in specific zones)
• Al Mankhool (Safe roads and tracks in specific zones)
• Al Karama (Safe roads and tracks in specific zones)
• Al Twar 1
• Al Twar 2
• Umm Suqeim 3
• Al Garhoud
• Muhaisnah 3
• Umm Hurair 1
• Al Safa 2
• Al Barsha South 2
• Al Barsha 3
• Al Quoz 4
• Nad Al Sheba 1

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