Electric Scooters in Valencia: Everything you should know

Valencia runs on two wheels. Walk through Ruzafa on any given morning, and you’ll count more electric scooters than taxis. They’re fast, they’re cheap to run, and in a city built for cycling, they make a lot of sense. But there are rules you need to know and some of them may l surprise you. A few of them could cost you seriously if you get them wrong.

Here’s the full picture according to Spain’s latest national legislation.

Who Can Ride and Where.

The minimum age to ride a VMP on any public road or space in Valencia is 16. No exceptions, no grey areas. If a child under 16 is caught riding on a public road, the fine does not go to the child. It goes to the parents or guardians.

Valencia treats VMPs the same as bicycles in terms of where they can go. Stick to bike lanes and 30 km/h streets.

You cannot ride on:

Pavements and pedestrian zones
Any street with a speed limit of 50 km/h or above
Urban tunnels without a dedicated cycle lane

If you need to cross a pedestrian area, get off and walk.

There are two types of scooters.

Valencia’s Mobility Ordinance divides VMPs (Vehículos de Movilidad Personal — the official term for electric scooters and similar vehicles) into two categories:

Type A: lighter, compact scooters, hoverboards, Segways, monocycles.

Type B: larger, heavier electric scooters. Helmet use is mandatory for all VMP riders in Valencia, regardless of scooter type.

Fine for no helmet: €200.

Registered and Insured.

All electric scooters sold in Spain since 22 January 2024 must carry a DGT homologation certificate — a plate showing brand, model, serial number, year of manufacture, maximum speed and approval stamp.

If you bought yours before that date, you have until 22 January 2027 to keep riding it without the certificate. Either way, it still needs to be registered. You do this via the DGT’s Sede Electrónica using a digital certificate or Cl@ve. Once registered, you receive a digital certificate that acts as your scooter’s ID document.

Fine for riding unregistered: €500 or more, plus possible immobilisation of the vehicle.

This is the biggest change of 2026. Under Ley 5/2025, in force from 2 January 2026, all VMPs must carry mandatory third-party liability insurance (responsabilidad civil) to ride legally anywhere in Spain. Until late 2025 it was strongly recommended but not legally required for private riders. That is no longer the case.

The good news: it’s cheap. Annual premiums typically run between €20 and €50. Given that a single accident causing injury to a pedestrian can result in a compensation claim in the tens of thousands of euros, it’s a straightforward calculation.

Fine for no insurance: €600–€1,000 plus possible immobilisation.

Speed Limit and Mandatory Equipment

You will often see “up to 30 km/h” cited online. That is the street speed limit, not the VMP speed limit. The official Valencia figures are lower:

Zone	Type A	Type B
Cycle Lane or Road	20km/h	25km/h
30 km street	20km/h	20km/h
Cycle Path in Parks	15km/h	15km/h
Residential Streets.	10km/h	10km/h

The Non-negotiable kit:

Front white light and rear red light (mandatory from dusk to dawn and in low visibility)
A bell
Reflectors

At night or in low visibility, you must also wear reflective clothing visible from at least 150 metres

Fines at a Glance

Infraction	Fine
No helmet or requiered equipment	200 €
No insurance	€600–€1,000 + possible immobilisation
No registration	€500+ + possible immobilisation
Riding on pavement or pedestrian zone	up to €200
Exceeding speed limit	€100–€300
Using mobile phone	up to €200
Riding with headphones	up to €200
Carrying a passenger	100 €
Missing equipment (lights, bell, reflectors)	200 €
Drink or drug riding	1,000 €