A Guide to E-Scooter (PMD) Laws in Australia
In spring of 2023 we welcomed 2 new e-scooter (PMD) models to our range—the V-10 & V-50. With the rising popularity of e-scooters in Australia, local state and territory governments have drawn their laws for legislating e-scooter use per the region. To help you stay informed, here's a breakdown of the regulations specific to each region, ensuring you're well-aware wherever your V-10 & V-50 adventures take you. First up, starting in our home state of Queensland.
Queensland
As of Tuesday, 1 November 2022, new rules and increased penalties apply to people using personal mobility devices (PMDs) in Queensland. Many PMDs include e-scooters, skateboards, and self-balancing devices, including solo wheels and segways.
Regarding speed, riders must comply with applicable speed limits based on where they are riding.
Where there is no appropriate speed signage, the speed limits are:
12km/h on footpaths, shared paths, and crossings
25km/h on permitted local roads and dedicated bike paths and bike lanes
10km/h in shared zones
or specified path speed limits
Riders can continue to ride on:
Footpaths, shared and separated paths, and bike paths
Local streets with a speed restriction of 50km/h or less and without dividing lines, median strips, or one-way roadways with only one clearly defined lane
Bike lanes on streets with a speed limit of 50km/h
Physically-separated bike lanes
Note that QLD has allowed the following rules to align with bicycle rules:
Use a phone while stationary on a trail or nature strip
Park their e-scooter parked on a trail or nature strip
Ride diagonally through a pedestrian crossing
Cross the pedestrian side of a separated footpath
Travel through a safety zone near a tram station
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in QLD on the Queensland Government website.
Australian Capital Territory
Since 2019, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has deemed e-scooters and other personal mobility e-scooters as legal transport.
However, these e-scooters must meet the following specifications to travel legally in public:
An electric motor must power the PMD.
It should only carry a single person.
It must not exceed 60 kg.
It should include one or more wheels.
The device must have a braking system.
It must have a 25km/hr max speed.
It must have dimensions of 1,250 mm (L) x 700 mm (W) x 1,350 mm (H)
If your device meets these criteria, you may use your e-scooter in public. Riders must also observe the following traffic rules for PMDs:
You can ride e-scooters on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, and the bicycle side of separated paths.
The speed restrictions are:
15km/hr for footpaths
25km/hr for shared paths, bicycle paths, and the bicycle side of separated paths
10km/hr when approaching or travelling across a crossing
You must wear a helmet and use lights and reflectors when riding at night and in bad weather conditions.
The e-scooter must be fitted with a warning device.
Adults should supervise children under 12 years of age.
You should always give way to pedestrians.
You must not ride under the influence, use a mobile phone while riding, and carry a passenger.
These laws apply to private and shared e-scooters.
ACT currently operates shared e-scooter schemes in Canberra, Woden Valley, Gungahlin, Belconnen, Weston Creek, Molonglo, and Tuggeranong.
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in ACT on the ACT Government website.
Victoria
As of April 2023, here are the new road rules for private and shared e-scooters across Victoria:
E-scooters can only be ridden in
Bicycle lanes
Shared paths
Roads with up to 60km/h speed limit
You must be at least 16 years old to ride.
Helmets are required.
The maximum speed limit is 20km/h.
Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
Avoid using your mobile device while riding.
Riders should not use an e-scooter capable of more than 25km/h (considered an unregistered vehicle).
You must never ride on footpaths.
For your safety, the state also reminds e-scooter riders in Victoria to:
Not carry passengers or animals while riding
Ride responsibly
Use a bell, horn, or verbal warning
Not ride two abreast
Give way to pedestrians
Not lead an animal while reading
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in Victoria on the VIC Roads website.
New South Wales
Personal e-scooters remain illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths and bicycle lanes. You can only use these on private property.
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in NSW on the NSW Government website.
Western Australia
Western Australia's laws, which are similar to Queensland and Tasmania, allow electric scooters on shared paths, footpaths, local roads, and cycling lanes (on roads with a top speed of 50km/h). Note that local roads consist of residential streets without centre lines and with a speed restriction of 50km/h.
However, the state only considers an e-scooter an e-rideable if it:
Has at least one wheel
Used by only one person
Has a dimension of 125 cm (length) x 70 cm (width) x 135 cm (height)
Has a max weight of 25 kg
Has a speed limit of 25km/hr
If your e-scooter meets the specs above, then here are the current general laws you should follow:
Only one person must ride per e-rideable
Never carry a passenger or animal while riding
Helmets must be worn at all times
You must be 16 years or older to ride
All e-rideables should have a bell
Lights & reflectors are required at night
Riders must obey the 10 kph speed limit on footpaths or 25km/h on bike paths, shared paths, and local roads
Riding under the influence of drugs and alcohol is prohibited
Mobile devices must not be used or held while riding
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in WA on the WA Government website.
South Australia
South Australia doesn’t allow any motorised wheeled recreational devices, including e-scooters, segways, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and electric unicycles, in public. You can only use these devices on private property.
However, the state currently has four e-scooter trials approved within Adelaide and North Adelaide, Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, the City of Unley, and along the Coastal Park Trail. Riders may only use the e-scooters permitted by the local city council.
Note that each city has their specific restrictions and designated tracks. Check their website for more details.
In general, here are the electric scooter laws and road rules in South Australia. Riders must
Be 18 years or older
Have a warning device like a bell
Wear an approved and fitted helmet
Ride on footpaths and shared paths unless prohibited
May ride on the road when crossing or avoiding an obstruction. If travelling on the road is a must, riders must:
Travel less than 50m along the road
Keep to the left
Obey traffic signals
Not ride on a road:
With a dividing line
With a median strip
With a 50km/h speed limit
Not ride in a bus lane or bike lane
Use warning bells and signals
Use lights and a reflector when riding at night
Not exceed 15km/h
Not ride abreast or with passengers
Not travel under the influence of alcohol and drugs
Not use a phone while riding
Not carry e-scooters on public transport
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in SA on the SA Government website.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory currently has an e-scooter trial in Darwin where locals can ride Neuron e-scooters and e-bikes.
Locals can ride Neuron e-scooters in the Darwin CBD and some of the city’s popular venues, including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Mindil Markets, Darwin Ski, Bundilla Beach, Sailing and Trailer Boat Clubs and Fannie Bay Shops.
Parking locations include the Darwin CBD, Darwin Waterfront, Mindil Beach, Cullen Bay, and Fannie Bay.
General rules that e-scooters in NT must follow include:
Being 18 years or older to ride
Having a warning device like a bell
Wearing a fitted helmet
Riding on footpaths and shared paths
Riding less than 50 m on the road if there’s an obstruction
Obeying traffic signals
Using front and rear lights when riding at night
Moreover, every electric scooter rider in NT must NOT:
Carry passengers
Exceed 15km/hr
Ride side-by-side with others
Use mobile device while on the road
Carry e-scooters on public transport
Ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in NT on the NT Government website.
Tasmania
As in Queensland, Tasmania's laws on using privately owned electric scooters are more relaxed than most of Australia since the state laws allow private and shared e-scooters in Tasmania.
Moreover, Tasmania allows riders to travel on shared paths, footpaths, bicycle paths, and local roads with top speeds of 50km/h.
Generally, every electric scooter rider in Tasmania must:
Be at least the age of 16
Riders under 16 can ride low-powered e-scooters that don’t exceed 200 W and 10 kph
Wear an approved helmet
Give way to pedestrians
Keep left if on the road
Have a front white light, a rear red light, and a red rear reflector for night riding
Also, every electric scooter rider in Tasmania must:
Not exceed 15km/h on footpaths
Not exceed 25km/h on shared paths, bicycle paths, and roads
Not carry passengers
Not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Not use a mobile device while on the road
Learn more about the electric scooter laws in Tasmania on the Tasmanian Government website.
