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Málaga revokes licences for rental e-scooters and bikes
The city council has moved to ban shared electric scooters and bicycles from public roads over regulatory breaches
The Málaga City Council's Mobility Department has begun the process of revoking licences for rental electric scooters and bicycles, as well as prohibiting their parking on public roads. This decision follows repeated violations of municipal regulations by the authorised companies.Electric scooters, classified as Vehículos de Movilidad Personal (VMPs), fall under the jurisdiction of local councils, which regulate their use and grant licences to rental companies. In December 2022, Málaga City Council authorised seven companies – Dott, Lime, Bolt, Link, Tier, Bird and Voi – to operate in the city. However, on January 15, 2025, Mayor Francisco de la Torre announced that these licences would be revoked due to widespread non-compliance with city regulations.
When will rental e-scooters disappear from Malaga?
The removal process has already begun, and in the coming weeks, 1,344 rental e-scooters and 700 bicycles currently in circulation across the city will be withdrawn. A review by the Mobility Department and Local Police found that six of the seven companies failed to meet the conditions required for their permits. The seventh company lost its authorisation because it never managed to put its vehicles into service.
Companies have 10 working days to present their case, but no administrative appeal is available. Authorities argue that the decision is necessary to prevent improper parking on walkways and public spaces, ensuring that e-scooters and bicycles do not obstruct pedestrian areas.
Fines for underage riders
The tightening of regulations around electric scooters extends beyond rental services. Under Spanish traffic laws, it is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride an electric scooter. Parents or guardians of underage riders caught using one can face fines of up to €200.
Other Spanish cities without rental e-scooters
Málaga is not the first city to take such action. Madrid banned shared e-scooters last September, following similar moves in Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, where local authorities had previously revoked licences due to conflicts between VMPs and other road users.
On an international level, Paris took a more decisive step in March 2023, becoming the first major city to completely remove rental e-scooters following a public referendum.
DGT certification for electric scooters
As the use of electric scooters grows, the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has introduced stricter regulations. VMPs are now subject to the same traffic rules as other vehicles, and technical standards have been imposed to regulate their sale.
Manufacturers must obtain a certification issued by an authorised third party designated by the Central Traffic Headquarters. This document confirms that the vehicle meets all legal requirements, and buyers must ensure that any new e-scooter they purchase carries this certification.
Image: Vince Jacob/Unsplash
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