If your idea of fun involves thrilling, extreme sports, then taking an electric scooter for an off-road spin may be your next favourite thing. However, just because an electric scooter…
Electric Scooter Australia Laws
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Electric scooters are a new and exciting technology that is just starting to really solidify itself as a transportation option in Australia. As such, despite their popularity, the newness of the technology means that the laws in Australia regarding electric scooters and personal motor vehicles, are inconsistent and change from state to state, making it very difficult to know how to ride electric scooters in keeping with the law.
With some states only allowing e scooters to be used on private property, and others allowing them to be ridden anywhere as long as riders adhere to a strict speed limit, rules and regulations vary greatly from state to state. Luckily, there is a consistent set of rules on what qualifies as a legal electric scooter in Australia which is a good place to start when trying to understand e scooter laws within Australia.
Australia's 'Rideable' Laws
According to the Australia legislation a motorised, wheeled recreational device, known as rideable must:
- Be designed for use by a single person only
- Fit the following dimensions:
- 1,250mm in length by 700mm in width by 1,350mm in height or
- 700mm in length by 1,250mm in width by 1,350mm in height
- Have a maximum weight of 60kg—when not carrying a person or load
- Have 1 or more wheels
- Have a braking system
- Have no sharp protrusions
Road Rules That Apply To Electric Scooters
Just like any transport option, riders should always follow general road safety rules, no matter where you ride or at what speed you’re riding. When riding on a path, you must:
- Keep left and give way to pedestrians.
- Travel at a speed that allows you to stop safely to avoid colliding with a pedestrian.
- Travel at a safe distance from a pedestrian so you can avoid a collision.
- Keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices.
- Only use the bicycle side of a shared path.
What About My Local Area?
Now that you’re familiar with the national legislation surrounding electric scooter use, the next step to ride your scooter safely is to familiarise yourself with your state or territories laws and legislation.
As laws and legislation differ greatly from state to state it is imperative that you carefully take note of exactly what rules you need to abide by when riding your e scooter.
If you want to find detailed and consistently updated lists of the laws applicable for each state it would be best to check the resources the state’s governing body provides, however, for a general overview, the list below should cover every point you need to know before riding your e scooter or electric motor vehicle.
Electric Scooter Laws, State by State
Queensland
Queensland allows electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h. No license is required for e scooter riders, but it is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway.
There is no limit on motor capacity, however there is a speed limit of 25km/h at all times, and 10km/h in Southbank. Additionally, electric scooters cannot be ridden within the CBD, on main roads, or by children under 12. Children under 16 will also need parental supervision when riding.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | License Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | On public roads and footpaths | None | Yes | No limit | 25km/h | 12, however riders under 16 must be supervised | 10km/h limit in South Bank. No riding on bike lanes, main roads, or public roads in the CBD |
New South Wales
New South Wales does not allow electric scooters to be ridden anywhere except on private property. No license is required for e scooter riders, but it is expected that you wear a helmet while underway and ride your scooter responsibly on your own property.
In the near future New South Wales will be undergoing trials of e scooters in public spaces, and when these occur riders must follow the the trail’s rules, which are that a rider mustn’t bring a scooter on public transport, use a phone while riding, or ride in bus or bike lanes.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Private grounds only | None | None | No limit | None specified | None specified | Electric scooters are currently banned in public in NSW and are only to be ridden on private property. This may change in the future. |
Victoria
Victoria allows electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h. No license is required for e scooter riders, but it is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway.
Victoria has a 200W limit on motor capacity, in addition to a speed limit of 10km/h while on public property. Additionally, electric scooters cannot be ridden within the CBD, or on main roads.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | On public roads and footpaths | None | None | Motor capacity must not exceed 200 watts | 10km/h | None specified | None specified |
South Australia
South Australia does not allow electric scooters to be ridden anywhere except on private property. No license is required for e-scooter riders, but it is expected that you wear a helmet while underway and ride your scooter responsibly on your own property.
Similar to New South Wales, in the near future South Australia will be undergoing trials of e-scooters in public spaces, and when these occur you must follow the trail’s rules, which are that a rider mustn’t bring a scooter on public transport, use a phone while riding, or ride in bus or bike lanes.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia | Private grounds only | None | Yes | No limit | 15km/h | 18 years old | South Australia does not allow riding an e-scooter on public roads and footpaths, however they are undergoing a trial. The trial has the rules that the rider mustn't bring the scooter on public transport, use a phone while riding, or ride in bus or bike lanes. |
Western Australia
Western Australia is more specific with its laws, allowing electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h, however, if the road has a dividing line, median strip, or is marked as one-way, an electric scooter cannot be ridden on it.
No license is required for e scooter riders, but it is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway. There is no limit on motor capacity, however there is a speed limit of 15km/h on footpaths and shared paths such as bicycle paths, and 25km/h while on public roads. Additionally, electric scooters cannot be ridden within the CBD, on main roads, by children under 12, or at night.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory | On public roads and footpaths | License and registration require for any scooters over 200W motor capacity | Yes | Motor capacity must not exceed 200 watts. Any scooter that exceeds this must be registered. | 10km/h | None specified |
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory allows electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h. The Northern Territory has a 200W limit on motor capacity, in addition to a speed limit of 10km/h while on public property.
If a scooter exceeds this 200W limit, then its rider will need to obtain a license and registration to use the vehicle on public roads, footpaths, bicycle paths, and all public spaces. It is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway. Additionally, electric scooters, regardless of power, cannot be ridden within the CBD, or on main roads.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | On public roads and footpaths, however, cannot be ridden on roads with a speed limit greater than 50km/h, a dividing line or median strip, or a one-way road with one marked lane. | None | Yes | No limit | 25km/h | None specified | Cannot be ridden during the hours of darkness |
Tasmania
Tasmania allows electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h. Similar to the Northern Territory, Tasmania has a 200W limit on motor capacity, in addition to a speed limit of 10km/h while on public property.
If a scooter exceeds this 200W limit, then its rider will need to obtain a license and registration to use the vehicle on public roads, footpaths, bicycle paths, and all public spaces. It is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway. Additionally, electric scooters, regardless of power, cannot be ridden within the CBD, on main roads, or at night and must keep to the left, never to be ridden two abreast unless overtaking.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | On public roads and footpaths | License and registration require for any scooters over 200W motor capacity | Yes | Motor capacity must not exceed 200 watts. Any scooter that exceeds this must be registered. | 10km/h | None specified | Must keep to the left on roads and paths and must not be ridden two abreast. Cannot be ridden during the hours of darkness. Users must give way to walkers and ride with due care and attention. |
ACT
The ACT allows electric scooters to be ridden on footpaths and public roads with speed limits that dont exceed 50km/h. No license is required for e scooter riders, but it is expected that you follow all road rules and road safety protocols, as well as wear a helmet while underway.
There is no limit on motor capacity, however there is a speed limit of 15km/h on footpaths and shared paths such as bicycle paths, and 25km/h while on public roads. Additionally, electric scooters cannot be ridden within the CBD, on main roads, or by children under 12.
| State/Territory | Legal To Ride? | License Required? | Helmet Required? | Capacity | Speed Limit | Minimum Age Of Rider | Other Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | On public roads and footpaths | None | Yes | None Specified | 15km/h on footpaths and shared paths, 25km/h on all public roads | None specified | Slow down to 10km/h when giving way, always give way to pedestrians, |
“Whenever you ride, you ride to keep people safe!”
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