- 1. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in New South Wales
- 2. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Victoria
- 3. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Queensland
- 4. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Western Australia
- 5. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in South Australia
- 6. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Tasmania
- 7. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Australian Capital Territory
- 8. E-Scooter Laws and Regulations in Northern Territory
The popularity of electric scooters in Australia is surging nowadays, and Australian cities are becoming more e-scooter-friendly one by one. This is mostly because riding an electric scooter is a perfect way to commute, socialize, work, and even travel across a great country like Australia.
But here's the thing: while riding an e-scooter, you will definitely start asking yourself:
"Can I ride my electric scooter without needing a license or registration on the road for an adventure ride in Oxley Hills, New South Wales?"
"Do I really need a helmet in Highfields, Queensland?"
"Is there such a thing as an e-scooter license in Melbourne, Victoria?"
"How necessary is a tail light in Sydney?"
And many more questions of the same kind...
But one thing for sure is that you must not act upon your assumptions. Ignoring rules can get you in serious trouble where and when you cannot even imagine. Please note, as the operator of an electric scooter, you are responsible for ensuring your electric scooter is road legal and that you observe all traffic laws. Excuses such as ignorance about the road legality of your scooter or the seller not informing you about it will not be accepted. Some fines can be more than $5,000.
E-scooter laws and legislation vary from state to state. Read the guide here to make sure which rules are applied in each state. Make sure what is okay in your location and what is not. Also, it is essential to know what your rights are as electric scooter laws are relatively new, and sometimes officers might try to fine you for doing something that is legal. You don’t want to be fined or facing claims of wrongdoing for actions that are within the boundary of the law.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in New South Wales
Allowed locations: The use of private e-scooters on public roads and road-related areas, including footpaths and bike lanes, is illegal in NSW. Currently, you are allowed to hire and ride an e-scooter from an approved provider at one of the six trial locations: Wollongong, Kogarah, Albury and Forster-Tuncurry.
Scooter requirements: You don't need to worry about the standards and modifications of the electric scooter because you have hired it from a state-approved provider.
Speed limit: You can't exceed 20km/h on roads and 10km/h on shared paths. You are not allowed to ride on any roads with speed limits above 50km/h.
Age requirement: The minimum legal age for riding e-scooters is 16 years old.
Safety equipment: It is mandatory to use a helmet. You must also use the e-scooter's available lights and reflectors after dark.
Alcohol and drug use: You cannot ride an e-scooter with a BAC higher than 0.05 or under the influence of drugs. Penalties can include fines of up to $5500, license disqualification with unlimited time, and up to 18 months in prison.
Mobile phone: It is illegal to use a mobile phone while riding an e-scooter.
For more information on each offence, please visit NSW Gov.
For locations and further information on electric scooter trials, please visit Transport for NSW.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Victoria
Allowed locations: Victoria is extending their electric scooter trial for use in public. Many of the same road rules for bicycles also apply to electric scooters. You are required to stay on shared paths, bike paths and roads that do not have a speed limit higher than 60km/h.
Scooter requirements: In order to be used in public spaces in Victoria, your e-scooter must not have the capability of exceeding 25km/h. Any e-scooter that does have this capability is considered an unregistered motor vehicle. You can only have one person on an e-scooter and you can not carry passengers.
Speed limit: you are not allowed to exceed 20km/h.
Safety equipment: you are required to wear a helmet at all times and also use front and rear lights in low light or at night. You do not need to worry about the standards and modifications of the e-scooter for public use, because it is hired from a state-approved provider.
Age requirement: You must be at least 16 years old.
Alcohol and drug use: your BAC cannot exceed 0.05. It is illegal to consume alcohol while riding. It is illegal to be under the influence of any illicit substances.
Mobile phone: it is illegal to use your mobile phone while riding an electric scooter.
For more details, please visit VicRoads.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Queensland
E-scooters are classified as personal mobility devices in Queensland. In order to use electric scooters, you must follow all standard motorist road rules plus some extra e-scooter-specific laws.
Allowed locations: You can ride on footpaths and shared paths as long as there is no signage that prohibits personal mobility devices. Also, on bike lanes on roads with a 50km/h speed limit or lower, all bike lanes that are physically separated from other traffic lanes, local streets without dividing lines and a speed limit of 50km/h or lower.
Scooter requirements: in order to be classed as a personal mobility device, an e-scooter must:
- - Be powered by an electric motor
- - Have at least one wheel
- - Weigh no more than 60kg without a rider
- - Be designed for one person only
- - Fit the dimensions of 70cm wide by 125cm long (or 125cm long by 70cm wide) by 135cm high
Speed limit: it is illegal to exceed 12km/h on footpaths. It is also illegal to exceed 12km/h on shared paths unless there is signage that states otherwise. It is illegal to exceed 25km/h on bike or separated paths unless there is signage saying otherwise. It is illegal to exceed 25km/h on any bike lanes (including physically separated ones) and local roads; however, you must also obey the road speed limit if it happens to be lower than 25km/h.
Age requirement: teenagers with 12-15 years of age can ride e-scooters only under adult supervision. People with 16 years of age and above do not require to be under supervision.
Safety equipment: it is mandatory to wear a motorbike or bicycle helmet that complies with Australian safety standards. If you are a member of a religious group which requires you to wear a headdress which makes it impractical to wear a helmet, you do not have to wear a helmet. If you have a medical certificate stating that you cannot wear a helmet for a certain medical reason or a physical attribute that makes it unreasonable to wear a helmet, you also don’t have to wear a helmet. However, you must have the medical certificate with you when riding an e-scooter without a helmet.
Alcohol and drug use: It is illegal to have a BAC greater than 0.05 or to be under the influence of illicit drugs. It is also illegal to actively drink while riding.
Mobile phone: Your mobile phone must be in your pocket or in a bag somewhere that you cannot see the phone screen while you are moving. Even if your phone is off, it is still illegal to have the phone screen in your line of vision. However, you can have your mobile phone on and mounted to the e-scooter handlebar for the sole purposes of a speedometer or GPS.
For a detailed list of fines and rules, please visit Queensland Transport.
For more details on rules for personal mobility devices in Queensland, please visit Queensland Government
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Western Australia
Allowed locations: It is only allowed to ride e-scooters on roads with dividing lines and a speed limit of 50km/h or less. It is also only allowed to ride e-scooters on bike lanes on roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less. It is illegal to carry a passenger of any sort.
Speed limit: it is illegal to exceed 10km/h on footpaths or pedestrian crossings. It is illegal to exceed 25km/h on bike paths or lanes, local roads, or shared paths.
Safety equipment: it is mandatory to wear an Australian standards-approved helmet.
Scooter requirements: the e-scooter cannot be capable of exceeding 25km/h. The e-scooter must be designed for one person and not weigh more than 25kg. The e-scooter must at least have one wheel and fit within the dimensions of 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high.
Age requirement: you must be at least 16 years old to ride an electric scooter.
Alcohol and drug use: it is illegal to have a BAC exceeding 0.05. it is illegal to be under the influence of illicit substances.
Mobile phone: it is illegal hold a mobile phone while riding. However, you can have the phone mounted on your e-scooter or arm to take hands-free audio calls or use it as an aid for driving such as speedometer or navigation. If your phone is mounted to your electric scooter, you may touch your phone only to answer and end calls.
For more information and details, please visit WA Gov.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in South Australia
Allowed locations: South Australia has been running trial programs for electric scooters recently. As of August 2024, there have been no further announcements from SA, but the trials remain running.
Speed limit: it is illegal to exceed 15km/h and you are required to ride at safe speeds for conditions (including other people around you).
Safety equipment: you are required to wear an approved helmet while riding an e-scooter. You must have a flashing or steady front-mounted white light when riding at night or in low vision conditions, and a rear red reflector or steady light.
Scooter requirements: you can only ride electric scooter provided by approved operators at trial locations. Any other e-scooter must only be used on private property. It is illegal to carry passengers.
Age requirement: you must be at least 18 years old to ride an e-scooter.
Alcohol and drug use: you are not allowed to have a BAC exceeding 0.05. You also can not have the presence of Methylamphetamine, MDMA or THC in your body.
Mobile phone: It is illegal to use a mobile phone while riding.
For more details and information about the locations, please visit My Licence.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Tasmania
Allowed locations: You can ride your electric scooter on footpaths, shared paths, and bike paths. You can also ride on local roads that do not have dividing lines or a median strip that has a speed limit of 50km/h or less. There can be no multiple lanes if it is a one-way street. It is illegal to carry animals or passengers. You are required to give way to pedestrians on shared paths and footpaths. You are required to ride with a safe stopping distance from those in front of you, and you must keep left unless overtaking or it’s impractical to do so.
Speed limit: you cannot go faster than 15km/h on footpaths and 25km/h on shared or bike paths and roads. You must drive according to the conditions and consider other users in your area.
Scooter requirements: your e-scooter cannot weigh more than 45kg, be larger than 25cm long by 70cm wide by 135cm high, or have the capability to exceed 25km/h on level ground. Your e-scooter must also be designed for a single person only and have at least one wheel.
Safety equipment: you are required to wear an approved helmet. You must also have a white front light, a red back light, and a red reflector on the back when riding at night.
Age requirement: you have to be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter. Those under 16 can ride a low-powered electric scooter that doesn’t exceed 10km/h and its motor capacity does not exceed 200 watts.
Alcohol and drug use: it is illegal to ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Mobile phone: it is illegal to use your phone while riding.
For more information and details, please visit Transport Services.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Australian Capital Territory
Allowed locations: You are allowed to ride a personal electric scooter on footpaths, shared and bike paths, and on the bike side of separated paths. You can not carry passengers, and you are required to give way to pedestrians. You are only allowed on the road if it’s impractical to travel on one of the approved areas or a nature strip. In these situations, you must only stay on the road as long as it is necessary to do so.
Speed limit: it is illegal to exceed 15km/h on footpaths. You must not exceed 25km/h on shared, separated, or bike paths.
Scooter requirements: if you want to ride an e-scooter in public spaces, it must be designed for single-person use only, have at least one wheel, have an electric motor, have a brake system, weigh no more than 60kg, and not be able to go faster than 25km/h on level ground. The e-scooter also must not exceed the dimensions of 125cm in length, 70cm in width, and 135cm in height.
Safety equipment: it is mandatory to wear a helmet, have a warning device, and have reflectors or lights either on yourself or the e-scooter in hazardous weather and at night.
Age requirement: you must be 12 or over to ride an electric scooter. People younger than 12 require adult supervision.
Alcohol and drug use: it is illegal to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Mobile phone: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while riding an electric scooter.
For more details, please visit Transport Canberra.
Electric Scooter Laws and Regulations in Northern Territory
Allowed locations: You can only ride electric scooters in public spaces if they are from Beam Mobility Australia. You can only ride electric scooters on footpaths, shared paths, and bike lanes. You can travel up to 50m on roads only if there is an obstruction on your path, and the nature strip, and there is no other reasonable way for you to ride on. You are also required to keep left and give way to pedestrians. You are not allowed to carry passengers or ride privately owned e-scooters in public.
Speed limit: You must ride according to road conditions and cannot exceed 15km/h.
Safety equipment: you must wear an approved helmet that is securely fitted. You must also have an electric warning device, as well as lights on both the rear and front of your electric scooter.
Scooter requirements: you do not need to worry about the standards and modifications of the e-scooter for public use because it is hired from the only territory-approved provider, Beam Mobility Australia.
Age requirement: you must be at least 18 years old to ride an electric scooter.
Alcohol and drug use: your BAC cannot be 0.05 or more.
Mobile phone: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while riding.
For more information on e-scooter laws in northern territory, please visit NT Gov.
The information provided in this article is according to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. If you want to know every rule in every state in detail, please visit the links provided in the article.
Electric Scooters Laws & Rules Australia