NEW ELECTRIC SCOOTER RULES IN LANZAROTE: WHAT TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW FROM 1 OCTOBER 2026
If you use an electric scooter in Lanzarote, the rules have changed from 1 October 2026. Spain's updated Reglamento General de Circulación introduces a national set of rules for electric scooters, while Lanzarote's seven municipalities can add local rules governing where scooters may be ridden and parked.
That means there is now a national baseline for the whole island — but some details can differ from one municipality to another.
THE BIG NATIONAL CHANGES
1. THE MINIMUM AGE IS NOW 15
You must be at least 15 years old to ride a vehicle of personal mobility (VMP) on public roads. This is a national rule and applies in Lanzarote.
2. HELMETS ARE COMPULSORY
Every VMP rider must wear a properly fastened protective helmet. This is no longer simply a recommendation or something that depends on a local council's rules.
3. THE 25 KM/H LIMIT REMAINS
An electric scooter classified as a VMP remains a single-person electric vehicle designed for a maximum speed of between 6 and 25 km/h.
A scooter must not be modified to exceed the legal technical limit.
The important point for visitors is that 25 km/h is the maximum technical speed of a VMP — it does NOT mean you are allowed to travel at 25 km/h everywhere. Municipal rules, signs, road conditions and pedestrian safety still determine where and how you may ride.
4. NO PAVEMENTS OR PEDESTRIAN AREAS
Electric scooters cannot be ridden on pavements or pedestrian-only areas.
This is especially important in Lanzarote's busy resort areas, where promenades, pedestrian streets and pavements can become crowded.
5. OUTSIDE BUILT-UP AREAS, THERE ARE STRICTER RULES
The new national regulation allows VMPs outside urban areas in certain segregated routes, such as cycle routes, and on roads where motor vehicles are prohibited, unless signs specifically prohibit VMPs.
This does not mean that an electric scooter can simply be ridden along an ordinary interurban road.
6. YOU MUST SIGNAL MANOEUVRES
VMP riders must use their arm to signal manoeuvres to other road users.
7. NO PASSENGERS
A VMP is designed as a single-person vehicle. Carrying another person on the scooter is not permitted.
8. NO MOBILE PHONE OR DISTRACTING HEADPHONES
Using a mobile phone while riding is prohibited. Audio helmets, headphones or similar devices that reduce the rider's attention are also prohibited, subject to the specific legal exceptions.
9. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
VMP riders are subject to the applicable alcohol and drug rules. Riding under the influence can result in significant fines.
10. REFLECTIVE/LUMINOUS EQUIPMENT AT NIGHT
From 1 October 2026, VMP riders travelling between sunset and sunrise, or in conditions of seriously reduced visibility, must use at least one luminous or reflective element that can be seen from 150 metres.
IMPORTANT: DAYTIME LIGHTING HAS A ONE-YEAR TRANSITION
The new regulation says VMPs will have to use their lighting during the day, but that requirement does not become compulsory until one year after the new regulation enters into force — 1 October 2027.
11. REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION
VMPs are now subject to the national registration system. The DGT states that VMPs must have the required registration/certification and identification label to circulate.
Compulsory insurance requirements also apply under the separate national VMP registration and insurance framework.
THE RULES CAN DIFFER BETWEEN LANZAROTE'S MUNICIPALITIES
This is the part tourists need to understand.
The national government sets the basic traffic rules, but the new regulation specifically gives municipalities powers to regulate the streets and areas where VMPs can circulate and how they can be parked.
Here is what we could verify for the island:
ARRECIFE
Arrecife has been developing a new municipal VMP ordinance. The city's published proposal prohibits riding on pavements and pedestrian areas and contains additional rules covering where VMPs may circulate and park.
The proposal included a minimum age of 16 and allowed VMP circulation on roads with a 30 km/h limit, subject to the wording of the municipal rules.
However, the information published by Arrecife in 2026 was a public consultation/proposed ordinance rather than confirmation that the final ordinance had entered into force. Visitors should therefore follow the national rules plus current road signs and municipal instructions rather than treating the proposal as a final rule.
TÍAS — PUERTO DEL CARMEN
Puerto del Carmen is particularly relevant to tourists.
Tías has been actively enforcing rules concerning the use and parking of electric scooters in public space. In July 2026, Policía Local removed 71 electric scooters from pavements, pedestrian areas and promenades, most of them in Puerto del Carmen.
The municipality has also been working on regulation concerning commercial rental scooters.
The practical message for visitors is simple: do not leave a scooter on a pavement, promenade or pedestrian area, and do not assume that a rental scooter can be ridden or parked wherever you choose.
TEGUISE — COSTA TEGUISE
Teguise has a municipal VMP framework and has previously regulated where these vehicles can circulate, with strong restrictions around pedestrian areas.
The municipality has also been actively removing unauthorised rental scooters from public areas in Costa Teguise. In May 2026, Policía Local removed scooters connected with rental activity that did not have the required municipal authorisation.
Visitors should pay close attention to local signs and avoid riding or parking on pedestrian areas, promenades and other restricted spaces.
YAIZA — PLAYA BLANCA AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Yaiza has a specific sustainable mobility ordinance covering VMPs.
The published municipal ordinance sets a 25 km/h general speed limit and contains local requirements including helmet use. It also states a minimum age of 16 for VMP circulation.
Because that local ordinance predates the new national rules, visitors should be aware that the national minimum is now 15 but Yaiza's published local rule states 16. Until the municipality publishes any amendment or clarification, riders should check the latest municipal information and signage before riding.
YAIZA also prohibits VMPs from pavements and interurban roads and applies restrictions concerning equipment and certification.
SAN BARTOLOMÉ
San Bartolomé has a municipal ordinance regulating pedestrians, cyclists and VMPs.
A modification approved in November 2025 made helmet use compulsory for electric scooter users, and the definitive modification was subsequently published in the provincial official bulletin in February 2026.
The new national law now makes helmet use compulsory across Spain anyway, but the local rules remain relevant for circulation and parking.
Tinajo
The national VMP rules apply in Tinajo. I could not verify, from the current official sources checked for this article, a newly published 2026 municipal VMP ordinance that changes the national baseline.
As with the other municipalities, riders should follow local signs, restrictions and instructions from the Policía Local.
HARÍA
The national VMP rules apply in Haría. I could not verify, from the current official sources checked for this article, a newly published 2026 municipal VMP ordinance that changes the national baseline.
Again, local signs and any designated or restricted areas must be respected.
WHAT ABOUT PETROL SCOOTERS AND MOPEDS?
Do not confuse an electric VMP with a 50cc moped or motorcycle.
The new rules for motorcycles and mopeds are different.
From 1 October 2026, riders and passengers of motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers, quadricycles and certain other vehicles must use approved protective helmets, and closed footwear covering the whole foot is required on all roads. Protective gloves are required on interurban roads.
There is a one-year transition period for the new homologated-helmet requirement for mopeds.
Passengers on motorcycles and mopeds are generally required to be over 12, with an exception allowing children over seven to travel when the vehicle is driven by a parent, guardian or authorised adult and the legal conditions are met.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR TOURISTS
If you are hiring or using an electric scooter in Lanzarote from October 2026:
• Be at least 15 — and check local rules, because some municipalities may have stricter local provisions.
• Wear a properly fastened helmet every time.
• Never ride on a pavement or pedestrian-only area.
• Never carry a passenger.
• Never exceed the scooter's legal 25 km/h design limit.
• Don't use your mobile phone while riding.
• Don't ride with distracting headphones.
• Follow local signs showing where scooters are permitted.
• Take extra care around promenades and busy tourist areas.
• At night or in seriously reduced visibility, use the required reflective/luminous element.
• Make sure the scooter is properly registered/certified and covered by the required insurance.
• If renting, ask the operator where you are legally permitted to ride and park.
Lanzarote is becoming increasingly strict about the way electric scooters are used in busy tourist areas. The new national rules provide the island with a common safety baseline, but the municipality you are visiting still matters.
