Dubai e-scooter: how do I apply for a permit through RTA and do I need one?


Gillian Duncan
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LATEST: E-scooters and e-bikes banned from Dubai's JBR community

E-scooters are allowed on certain cycling tracks and in 10 districts in Dubai, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced on April 11.

The RTA also introduced a permit system for riders in a move designed to improve public safety that comes into force on April 28.

Anyone riding an electric scooter or any type of electric bike must hold a full driving licence, or a permit.

The permit is need to ride on roads in designated areas only. So, how can you get one? And where can you ride them?

The National explains.

Where will e-scooters be allowed?

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
  • Jumeirah Lakes Towers
  • Dubai Internet City
  • Al Rigga
  • 2nd of December Street
  • The Palm Jumeirah
  • City Walk

In addition, they can be used on safe roads and tracks in specific zones at:

  • Al Qusais
  • Al Mankhool
  • Al Karama

They can also be used at tracks designated for bicycles and scooters throughout Dubai, excluding those at Saih Assalam, Al Qudra and Meydan.

“The selection of these districts was guided by specific criteria, such as high population density, special development areas, areas served by public transport and metro stations, the availability of integrated infrastructure, and areas with a high level of traffic safety,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA.

How do I get a permit and what does it cost?

If you have a full vehicle driving licence, international driving licence or a motorcycle licence, you do not need a permit to drive an e-scooter.

Anyone who does not have a driving licence can apply for a permit online at the RTA at the end of the month.

The process involves attending training courses and passing an online test. Permits are free.

I don’t own an e-scooter. Can I hire one?

Yes, 2,000 vehicles, operated by four companies, will be available for rent in areas identified as most likely to benefit from greater access to e-scooters, such as popular tourist spots and sites for public transport links.

The scooters will be operated by two international companies, Tier and Lime, and two local, Arnab and Skurtt.

Do I have to wear a helmet?

Yes, helmets are mandatory.

How old do you have to be to use them?

Riders must be at least 16.

If I don't get a permit, will I be fined?

Yes. Anyone caught riding an e-scooter without a driving licence or permit could face a Dh200 fine. Here is a full list of the fines:

  • Failing to use to specific routes – Dh200
  • Riding on roads with a speed limit above 60kph – Dh300
  • Reckless riding that poses danger to others' lives – Dh300
  • Riding or parking e-scooter on paths designated for walking or jogging – Dh200
  • Using an e-scooter without a permit – Dh200
  • Failing to wear protective gear – Dh200
  • Failing to commit to speed limits specified by the authority – Dh100
  • Taking passengers – Dh300
  • Failing to adhere to safety requirements – Dh200
  • Riding a scooter that does not meet technical requirements – Dh300
  • Parking in undesignated areas or in a manner that may block traffic or pose risk – Dh200
  • Ignoring instructions on road signs – Dh200
  • If rider is below 12 and without the supervision of an adult aged 18 and above – Dh200
  • Failing to dismount on pedestrian crossings – Dh200
  • Failing to report an accident that caused injuries or damages – Dh300
  • Using the left lane and unsafe lane changing – Dh200
  • Riding against traffic – Dh200
  • Obstructing traffic on the route – Dh300
  • Dragging objects using the e-scooter – Dh300
  • Training facility failing to get a permit from the authority to provide group training – Dh200 (for each trainee)
  • Conducting individual training – Dh200

Is there anything else important to keep in mind?

There are special parking spaces for shared e-scooters, which are mainly near tourist attractions and public transport stations.

You must not ride e-scooters on tracks designated for walking or running. Always leave an adequate distance to bicycles and pedestrians.

Do not carry passengers. And do not exceed the speed limits fixed by RTA, which is between 15kph and 20kph, depending on the track.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company profile

Company name: Dharma

Date started: 2018

Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: TravelTech

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Five hymns the crowds can join in

Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday

Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir

Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium

‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song

‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar

‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion

‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope

The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’

There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia

The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ

They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening 

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Profile

Name: Carzaty

Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar

Launched: 2017

Employees: 22

Based: Dubai and Muscat

Sector: Automobile retail

Funding to date: $5.5 million

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Updated: August 19, 2024, 12:59 PM`