Fast and comfortable: what you should know about renting an electric scooter in the UAE

Electric vehicles can be seen all over the United Arab Emirates, and they are especially popular among tourists, particularly in cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Thanks to electric transport, you can get to the right place faster, see much more and have fun.

However, even such an easy-to-use vehicle can be dangerous and cause an accident on the road. That is why Abu Dhabi has issued a list of rules for the use of electric vehicles to ensure the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and motorists. Gulf News found out what restrictions apply in the country and what you need to know to avoid paying a fine for accidental violation of the rules.

Permitted and prohibited types of electric vehicles

Last year, the Integrated Transportation Center (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi established the following requirements for the legal use of electric vehicles in Abu Dhabi

• the height of the vehicle must not exceed 165 centimeters;
• an electric scooter should weigh up to 35 kilograms;
• the width of the scooter should be up to 70 centimeters.

In addition, the UAE prohibits the use of seated electric scooters and bicycles with engines of 700 watts or more.

Where you can ride and where there are restrictions on use

The maximum speed for electric scooters and bicycles may not exceed the established 20 km/h.

Driving is allowed on: internal roads (less than 40 km/h), on lanes and sidewalks shared by pedestrians and cyclists with special markings, on bicycle paths and on the far right side of an internal road.

Driving is prohibited on: highways (over 60 km/h), public roads and highways, and pedestrian paths.

Fines for traffic and safety violations

In general, the amount of the fine for violation of traffic on electric scooters can range from 200 to 500 dirhams.

A fine of 200 dirhams for:

• riding on a main road;
• Ignoring the instructions of road signs;
• not wearing a protective helmet;
• not wearing reflective clothing while driving in the dark;

• parking electric vehicles in the wrong place;
• placing a vehicle on streetlights or road signs;
• passing pedestrians crossing the road at intersections and sidewalks;
• slowing down at pedestrian crossings or crossing a pedestrian crossing without getting off the bicycle or electric scooter;
• driving in dangerous weather conditions;
• holding onto another moving vehicle while riding;
• riding on jogging and walking paths, in specially designated places;
• transportation of heavy objects that disturb the balance;
• using a siren that interferes with other road users.

A fine of AED 500 is imposed for: driving in unauthorized places (on the main road, as well as on pedestrian and jogging paths) and on roads where the speed exceeds 40 km/h.

Movement of electric vehicles in public transport

Some tourists with their own electric scooters may be concerned about this issue. So, can I take my electric scooter on the bus? Yes, you can take an electric scooter on the bus, provided that it is properly transported. You have to fold it up and put it in a specially designated storage area.

In addition, the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) in Abu Dhabi operates a special public bus, Service 73, which allows passengers to take bicycles and e-scooters on board when traveling to the city's main tourist attractions.