Depending on where you live in Australia, you may have seen people zooming around on electric scooters (also known as e-scooters). Many states and territories across the country have public scooters available for rent, particularly in capital and major cities. Given the rising popularity of e-scooters in Australia, some people even opt to buy their own private electric scooters rather than renting the community ones.
What many people, including international students, don’t realise is that the use of privately owned scooters is prohibited in many areas. Although it may seem like a harmless misunderstanding, several people are getting hit with hefty fines for violating the rules.
So, what are the e-scooter laws in Australia? Let’s take a look at the most important ones you need to know in your region.
Are e-scooters legal in the ACT?
In the ACT, it is legal to ride both commercial and privately owned e-scooters, provided you abide by all the relevant laws.
Additional e-scooter laws in the ACT
- Riders must always give way to pedestrians.
- One rider at a time per e-scooter.
- You must not ride on roads or in on-road bike lanes, except on residential streets where there is no footpath.
- You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating an e-scooter.
- Helmets are required.
Are e-scooters legal in NSW?
In NSW, only shared e-scooters hired through approved e-scooter providers can be ridden on roads or related areas, such as shared paths. Privately owned e-scooters aren’t permitted on NSW roads or related areas.
Additional e-scooter laws in NSW
- In general, you must be at least 16 years of age to ride; however, some providers have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old.
- E-scooters in NSW must only be ridden on roads, shared paths and related areas with a speed limit of up to 50km/h. When riding on a road, bike lane or bike path, you must stay under 20km/h. When riding on a shared path, you must stay below 10km/h.
- Your blood alcohol content (BAC) level must be 0.05 or less when operating an e-scooter.
Are e-scooters legal in the NT?
In the NT, private e-scooters are prohibited for use in public areas; you can only operate commercial e-scooters provided by Neuron Mobility.
Additional e-scooter laws in the NT
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must not exceed a speed of 15km/h.
- Helmets are required.
- Keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.
Are e-scooters legal in Queensland?
In Queensland, it is legal to ride personal mobility devices (including privately owned e-scooters) in public if they meet certain criteria. For example, your personal mobility device must be designed for use by only one person at a time, be a maximum of 60kg (when not carrying a person) and have one or more wheels.
Additional e-scooter laws in Queensland
- You must keep left and give way to pedestrians.
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- Stay below the maximum speeds for each area: footpaths and shared paths (12km/h max); separated paths and bike paths (25km/h max); bike lanes and roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less (25km/h).
Are e-scooters legal in South Australia?
In South Australia, motorised wheeled recreational devices are prohibited in public areas; in approved e-scooter trial areas, you can rent commercial e-scooters through providers like Beam and Neuron. Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private property.
Additional e-scooter laws in Queensland
- You must be a minimum of 18 years old to ride.
- You are required to wear an approved helmet.
- You cannot ride in bike lanes or bus lanes.
- Riders cannot use a mobile phone or other mobile devices when operating e-scooters.
Are e-scooters legal in Tasmania?
In Tasmania, e-scooters that meet the criteria of personal mobility devices (PMDs) can be used in public spaces such as footpaths, shared paths, bike paths and local roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less. Many types of privately owned e-scooters don’t meet the relevant requirements and therefore can only be used on private property.
Additional e-scooter laws in Tasmania
- PMDs (including e-scooters) can only be used at night if it has a white light visible from the front, a red light that is visible from the rear and a red reflector visible from the rear.
- You must not use a mobile phone while operating an e-scooter.
- You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when operating e-scooters.
Are e-scooters legal in Victoria?
In Victoria, you are not allowed to ride privately owned electric scooters in public; you are only permitted to ride commercial e-scooters in certain areas.
Additional e-scooter laws in Victoria
- You must not ride e-scooters on footpaths.
- You must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- You must not carry passengers (one person per scooter).
- Wear a bike helmet.
- Your BAC level must be 0.05 or less when operating an e-scooter.
Are e-scooters legal in WA?
In WA, privately owned e-scooters (known as eRideables) can legally be used in public. The e-scooter laws in WA changed in December 2021; previously, you could only use these devices on private property.
Additional e-scooter laws in WA
- Only one person per device.
- You must wear a helmet at all times when operating eRideables.
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- You must not exceed 10km/h on footpaths or 25km/h on bike paths, shared paths or local roads.
- You cannot operate them on roads with speed limits over 50km/h.
