English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026

Schedule 7 Providers of micromobility vehicles

Section 24 1 (1) The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 is amended in accordance with this paragraph. (2) After Part 2 insert— Part 2A Licensing of providers of micromobility vehicles in England Provision of micromobility vehicles must be licensed 22E (1) A person (P) is guilty of an offence if— (a) P provides a passenger micromobility vehicle on a road or in a public place, (b) the purpose of providing the vehicle there is that persons may take possession of it there for use (whether the use is on the road or in the public place or at any other place), and (c) P does not have a licence from the relevant licensing authority under which P is authorised to provide the vehicle for that purpose. (2) A person (P) is guilty of an offence if— (a) P provides a non-passenger micromobility vehicle (whether on a road or in a public place or at any other place), (b) the purpose of providing the vehicle is that persons may make use of it— (i) on a road or in a public place, or (ii) at a place to which the vehicle will or may need to travel using a road or public place, and (c) P does not have a licence from the relevant licensing authority under which P is authorised to provide the vehicle for that purpose. (3) In subsection (1) or (2) “relevant licensing authority” means the licensing authority for the licensing area in which the micromobility vehicle is located when it is provided. Micromobility vehicles 22F (1) In this Part “passenger micromobility vehicle” means— (a) a pedal cycle, (b) an electrically assisted pedal cycle, or (c) a micromobility vehicle that— (i) is designed or adapted to carry one or more individuals, and (ii) is of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State. (2) In this Part “non-passenger micromobility vehicle” means a micromobility vehicle that— (a) is not designed or adapted to carry one or more individuals, and (b) is of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State. (3) For the purposes of subsections (1)(c) and (2), the following are not micromobility vehicles— (a) motor vehicles (within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988, including section 189 of that Act); (b) invalid carriages (within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988); (c) pedicabs (within the meaning of the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024). Exemptions 22G (1) The prohibitions in section 22E(1) and (2) do not apply to the provision of micromobility vehicles by a licensing authority in its own licensing area (including where the micromobility vehicles are provided on behalf of the licensing authority by another person under arrangements between the licensing authority and that person). (2) The Secretary of State may make regulations which provide for other exemptions from the prohibition in section 22E(1) or the prohibition in section 22E(2). (3) The regulations may (in particular) relate to— (a) the vehicles which may be provided; (b) the duration for which vehicles may be provided; (c) the locations or areas where vehicles may be parked or locked before or after use; (d) the areas where vehicles may be used during use; (e) the purpose for which vehicles may be provided (including provision for use in guided tours); (f) the persons who are providing the vehicles; (g) the number of vehicles provided (whether generally, at locations where use may begin, or in particular areas). Regulations about licences under this Part 22H (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations about the licences required for persons providing passenger micromobility vehicles or non-passenger micromobility vehicles. (2) Schedule 3A makes further provision about regulations under this section (including provision for the imposition of financial penalties and fees, and for the creation of criminal offences). Licensing authorities 22I (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations about the powers and duties of a licensing authority, such as provision— (a) imposing a duty to monitor the provision of micromobility vehicles, (b) about the publication of information on the provision of micromobility vehicles, (c) about the provision of reports or other information to the Secretary of State, and (d) requiring licensing authorities to work collaboratively with others. (2) The Secretary of State— (a) may issue guidance to licensing authorities about their functions under this Part, and (b) must publish, or arrange the publication of, any guidance issued under this paragraph. (3) Licensing authorities must have regard to guidance issued under this paragraph. (4) A licensing authority is not liable on any basis (whether in tort or otherwise) for taking, or failing to take, any action in relation to a person providing micromobility vehicles, unless the liability is in respect of wilful misconduct or gross negligence. (5) For the purposes of subsection (4), there is “gross negligence” on the part of a licensing authority if— (a) it is in breach of a duty of care owed under the law of negligence, and (b) the conduct constituting that breach falls far below what can reasonably be expected of the licensing authority in the circumstances. (6) Traffic authorities in England and licensing authorities must co-operate with each other on matters relating to the parking or docking of micromobility vehicles. Information 22J (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations authorising or requiring the disclosure of relevant information by any of the following— (a) persons providing micromobility vehicles; (b) licensing authorities; (c) the Secretary of State. (2) The regulations may, in particular— (a) authorise licensing authorities or the Secretary of State to require the disclosure of information; (b) provide that a person is guilty of an offence if they knowingly or recklessly provide false information to a licensing authority or the Secretary of State. (3) In this section “relevant information” means information relating to the provision of micromobility vehicles including, in the case of a person who has or had a licence required by section 22E, all information relating to the licensed provision of micromobility vehicles. Proceedings in respect of offences by bodies corporate and partnerships etc 22K (1) If a micromobility licensing offence committed by a body corporate is proved— (a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer or a responsible individual, or (b) to be attributable to neglect on the part of an officer or responsible individual, that officer or responsible individual (as well as the body corporate) is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) If a micromobility licensing offence committed by a partnership is proved— (a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner or a responsible individual, or (b) to be attributable to neglect on the part of a partner or responsible individual, that partner or responsible individual (as well as the partnership) is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and dealt with accordingly. (3) If an offence committed by an unincorporated association (other than a partnership) is proved— (a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the association or a member of its governing body or a responsible individual, or (b) to be attributable to neglect on the part of such an officer or member or responsible individual, that officer or member or responsible individual (as well as the association) is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (4) In this section— “micromobility licensing offence” means an offence under this Part (including an offence under regulations made under this Part); “officer”, in relation to a body corporate, means— a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer, or any person purporting to act in any such capacity; and for this purpose “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate; “partner” includes a person purporting to act as a partner; “responsible individual”, in relation to a body corporate, partnership or unincorporated association which has or had a licence under this Part, means a person who has or had a role in relation to the licence that is specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section. Regulations 22L Regulations under this Part— (a) may make different provision for different purposes, including different provision for different types of micromobility vehicle or different types of provision of micromobility vehicles; (b) may make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional and saving provision. Interpretation 22M (1) For the purposes of this Part— (a) a combined authority or CCA is the licensing authority for its area; (b) a relevant local council is the licensing authority for its area if that area does not comprise, or form part of, the area of a combined authority or CCA; (c) Transport for London is the licensing authority for Greater London. (2) In this Part— “CCA” means a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of LURA 2023; “combined authority” means a combined authority established under section 103 of LDEDCA 2009; “licensing area” means— the area of a combined authority or CCA; the area of a relevant local council that is a licensing authority; Greater London; “licensing authority” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “public place” means any place to which the public, or any section of the public, has access (on payment or otherwise) as of right or by virtue of an express or implied permission; “relevant local council” means— a county council in England, a district council whose area does not form part of the area of a county council in England, a metropolitan district council, or the Council of the Isles of Scilly. (3) Before Schedule 4 insert— Schedule 3A Licensing of provision of micromobility vehicles Section 22H Introduction 1 This Schedule is about the provision that may (or must) be made by regulations under section 22H. Licence conditions 2 (1) The regulations may make provision about conditions that must be included, or must not be included, in a licence. (2) The regulations may enable a licensing authority to include other conditions in a licence. Duration, renewal, suspension and revocation of licence 3 (1) The regulations may make provision about the duration, renewal, suspension or revocation of a licence. (2) That includes provision which gives the Secretary of State the power to direct a licensing authority not to renew, or to suspend or revoke, a licence. (3) But any such regulations must provide that the power of direction may only be exercised for purposes specified or described in the regulations which relate to the protection of public safety. Variation and transfer of licence 4 (1) The regulations may make provision about the variation of a licence. (2) The regulations may make provision about the transfer of a licence to a different licensee. Licence applications etc: process 5 (1) Regulations may make provision about the process for applying for a licence, and for renewing, varying or transferring a licence. (2) The regulations may— (a) require a licensing authority to be satisfied as to a matter specified in the regulations before granting, renewing, varying or transferring a licence; (b) require a licensing authority to have regard to a matter specified in the regulations, in deciding whether to grant, renew, vary or transfer a licence. (3) The regulations may enable the licensing authority— (a) to specify the form and content of an application; (b) to specify information to be provided in connection with an application; (c) to specify the procedure for rectifying procedural irregularities; (d) to specify the time limits for doing anything required to be done in connection with an application and any procedure for extending any such limits; (e) to inspect sites, facilities, equipment or vehicles for the purposes of deciding an application, but may not give the licensing authority any power of entry. 6 (1) Regulations may make provision about the process for suspending or revoking a licence. (2) The regulations may— (a) require a licensing authority to be satisfied as to a matter specified in the regulations before suspending or revoking a licence; (b) require a licensing authority to have regard to a matter specified in the regulations, in deciding whether to suspend or revoke a licence. Monitoring 7 (1) The regulations may make provision about the issue by a licensing authority to a provider of micromobility vehicles of— (a) a contravention notice, in a case where the authority knows or suspects that the provider— (i) is in breach of its licence conditions, or (ii) is doing anything that is likely to put the provider in breach; (b) a warning notice, setting out the authority’s powers to vary, suspend or revoke a licence, in a case where a provider has failed to comply with a contravention notice; (c) a prohibition notice, prohibiting the provider from carrying on activities specified in the notice. (2) The regulations may provide that a notice mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) may include directions to the provider of micromobility vehicles, and may make provision about the consequences of failure to comply with a direction. (3) The regulations— (a) may enable the licensing authority to inspect sites, facilities, equipment or vehicles for the purposes of monitoring compliance with the terms of a licence; (b) but may not give the licensing authority any power of entry. Financial penalties 8 (1) The regulations may enable a licensing authority to impose a financial penalty in relation to— (a) the breach of the prohibition in section 22E(1) or the prohibition in section 22E(2) (providing a micromobility vehicle without a licence); (b) the breach of a condition included in a licence. (2) The amount of the financial penalty is to be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations. (3) If the regulations confer power to impose a financial penalty in relation to the breach of the prohibition in section 22E(1) or the prohibition in section 22E(2) they must provide that a person is not liable to such a penalty in respect of conduct for which the person has been convicted of the offence under that section. (4) If the regulations confer power to impose a financial penalty, they must include provision— (a) requiring the licensing authority, before imposing a financial penalty on a person, to give the person written notice (a “notice of intent”) of the proposed financial penalty; (b) ensuring that the person is given an opportunity to make representations about the proposed financial penalty; (c) requiring the licensing authority, after the period for making representations, to decide whether to impose the financial penalty; (d) requiring the licensing authority, if it decides to impose the financial penalty, to give the person notice in writing (a “final notice”) imposing the penalty; (e) enabling a person on whom a financial penalty is imposed to appeal to a court or tribunal in accordance with the regulations; (f) as to the powers of the court or tribunal on such an appeal. (5) The provision that may be made by the regulations by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) includes provision— (a) enabling a notice of intent or final notice to be withdrawn or amended; (b) requiring the licensing authority to withdraw a final notice in circumstances specified in the regulations; (c) for a financial penalty to be increased by an amount specified in or determined in accordance with the regulations in the event of late payment; (d) as to how financial penalties are recoverable. Decisions: reconsideration and appeals 9 (1) The regulations must make provision about— (a) reconsideration by a licensing authority of its decisions, and (b) appeals to the First-tier Tribunal against decisions of a licensing authority that have been reconsidered. (2) The regulations may (in particular) make provision about— (a) the decisions of the licensing authority which may be reconsidered or appealed; (b) the grounds for requesting reconsideration of a decision or bringing an appeal; (c) the person or persons by whom, and manner in which, a decision is to be reconsidered; (d) the powers of the First-tier Tribunal on an appeal. (3) The regulations must make provision about the procedure, and time limits, for— (a) requesting the reconsideration of a decision, and (b) bringing an appeal against a decision. Fees 10 (1) The regulations may enable a licensing authority to create a charging scheme under which the authority may charge fees to a person providing micromobility vehicles in connection with the exercise of its functions under this Part. (2) The regulations may require a licensing authority— (a) before making a charging scheme, to consult persons who may be affected by the scheme; (b) to publish its charging scheme. Offences 11 The regulations may provide that a person is guilty of an offence if they— (a) knowingly or recklessly provide false information to a licensing authority in connection with an application for a licence or for a renewal, variation or transfer of a licence; (b) knowingly or recklessly provide false information in connection with reconsideration of, or an appeal against, a decision of a licensing authority. (4) In section 134 (provisions as to regulations), after subsection (5) insert— (5A) Subsections (2) to (5) do not apply to regulations under Part 2A; instead— (a) a statutory instrument by which the power conferred by section 22I is exercised is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament; (b) no regulations may be made under any other provision of Part 2A unless a draft has been laid before Parliament and has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament; (c) but a statutory instrument by which the power conferred by section 22I is exercised may, where the power conferred by any other provision of Part 2A is exercised by the same instrument, be made under the procedure described in paragraph (b) instead of the procedure mentioned in paragraph (a). 2 (1) The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 is amended in accordance with this paragraph. (2) In section 91 (penalty for breach of regulations), in paragraph (b), after “section” insert “22I,”. (3) In Schedule 2 (prosecution and punishment of offences), in the table in Part 1, after the entry for “RTRA section 20(5)” insert— RTRA section 22E(1) or (2) | Providing mobility vehicles without a licence | Summarily | A fine . (4) In that table, after the entry for “RTRA section 22E” (inserted by sub-paragraph (3)), insert— Regulations under RTRA section 22H made by virtue of paragraph 11(a) or (b) of Schedule 3A | Providing false information in connection with a licence application or on an appeal against a licensing decision | Summarily | A fine Regulations under RTRA section 22J(2)(b) | Providing false information about provision of micromobility vehicles to the Secretary of State or a licensing authority | Summarily | A fine .