Nashville, TN Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulator
- Metro Transportation Licensing Commission (MTLC)
- Permit system
- RFP-selected operators only
- Initial fleet cap
- 500 scooters per operator
- Interim fleet cut
- 50% of pre-2019 permit levels
- Governing code
- Metro Code § 12.62.020
Summary
Metro Nashville caps shared scooter operators through a Transportation Licensing Commission RFP process: no new permits or fleet expansions may be issued until an RFP selects operators, each capped at 500 units initially.
In the interest of public safety and to protect public welfare, upon the effective date of this section, recognized SUMD permits shall consist solely of the temporary permits authorized under Substitute Ordinance No. BL2019-1658 — allowing a fleet size of fifty percent of that which was authorized by predecessor permits on July 1, 2019. All temporary permits shall terminate automatically upon the issuance of new permits by the MTLC to operate SUMDs as result of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, as set forth below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Since 2019, Metro's Transportation Licensing Commission (MTLC) has run Nashville's shared scooter market as a closed, RFP-selected system. Existing permits were cut to temporary status at half of pre-July 2019 fleet levels, and no new permits or fleet growth can happen outside a formal Request for Proposal process. Winning operators start capped at 500 devices each; further fleet growth is set by the MTLC using its own criteria. The RFP requires operators to show a plan for restricting scooter use in prohibited areas, including sidewalks, and every permit holder must indemnify Metro and have riders sign a liability waiver.
Violations & Fines
Operating a shared scooter fleet without an MTLC-issued permit, or expanding a fleet beyond RFP-set limits, is unlawful; the MTLC may impose additional fees and enforce regulations adopted under this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new company just start renting scooters in Nashville?
Are there codified no-ride zones for scooters in Nashville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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