Do You Need a License to Ride an Electric Scooter in Australia?

It’s okay to ride electric scooters in Queensland with the following conditions:

You are allowed: 

• • on footpaths and local streets with a speed limit of 50 km/h less 
  • ride without a motorcycle license and registration

You are not allowed: 

• • in the main streets and roads of Brisbane CBD unless you need to cross or avoid obstruction 
  • on local streets with a dividing line or medium strip 
  • one-way roads with more than one marked lane
  • past personal vehicles prohibited sign

Electric Scooter requirements: 

• • maximum speed of 25  km/h 
  • maximum weight of 60 kg without load
  • no sharp protrusions 

Rider requirements: 

• • be at least 16 years of age or 12, with adult supervision 
  • AU standard bicycle helmet
  • follow road traffic rules 

Fine: $133

For more info: Safety Rules for Electric Scooters in Queensland 

NT

Electric scooters are only accessible in public spaces through the Darwin e-scooter trial for 12 months, starting January 2020. It can be used on private property without restrictions.

You are allowed: 

• • in Darwin CBD, Waterfront, and Cullen 
  • ride without a driver’s license or learner’s permit 

You are not allowed: 

• • in Smith Street Mall at any time
  • in Mitchell Street between Peel and Knuckey streets from 8 pm – 6 am
  • in the area around State Square and Parliament House
  • in any place outside of the trial area  

Rider requirements: 

• • at least 18 years of age 
  • AU standard bike helmet 
  • keep left on footpaths and shared paths
  • must not exceed 15 km/h
  • follow road traffic rules   
  • must park in designated parking zones before the trip can be ended 

For map and penalties: Electric scooter trial in Darwin

For more info: Electric scooter rules in NT

WA

Electric scooters are legal in public spaces under strict requirements. You can ride it on private property without restrictions. 

You are allowed: 

• • ride in footpaths and shared paths 

You are not allowed:

• • on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h 
  • on local streets with a dividing line or medium strip 
  • on one-way roads with more than one marked lane
  • ride during hours of darkness 

Electric scooter requirements: 

• • no more than 200 watts 
  • no more than 10 km/h on level ground
  • AU standard bike helmet

Rider requirements: 

• • follow road traffic rules 
  • if your electric scooter does not meet requirements, it will get classified as a motorcycle, which will require you to get a motorcycle license and registration.

For more info: Electric scooter rules in WA

Bunbury has temporarily suspended its electric scooter trial due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bunbury and Beam will look at options to resume trial after the crisis. 

SA

Electric scooters are only accessible in public spaces through two e-scooter trails – Adelaide and North Adelaide and Coast Park Trail (resumed as of September 2020). You can ride an electric scooter in private property without restrictions.  

You are allowed: 

• • on footpaths and shared paths unless prohibited 
  • on the road only when crossing or to avoid obstruction 
  • ride without a driver’s license or learner’s permit 

You are not allowed:

• • in the bike lane or bus lane 
  • carry the electric scooter on public transport
  • on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h 
  • on local streets with a dividing line or medium strip 
  • on one-way roads with more than one marked lane 

Rider requirements: 

• • at least 18 years of age 
  • AU standard bike helmet 
  • must not exceed 15 km/h 
  • must park in designated parking zones before the trip can be ended 
  • follow road traffic rules

For map and penalties: Electric scooter trial in SA

For more info: Electric Scooter rules in SA

VIC 

Electric scooters are legal in public spaces under strict requirements. 

You are allowed: 

• • footpaths 

You are NOT allowed:

• • on the pedestrian side of shared paths 
  • on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h 
  • on local streets with a dividing line or medium strip 
  • on one-way roads with more than one marked lane
  • to ride during hours of darkness 

Electric scooter requirements: 

• • no more than 200 watts 
  • no more than 10 km/h on level ground 
  • AU standard bike helmet 

Fine: $826 

For more info: Electric scooter rules in Victoria

City of Port Phillip council has voted in support of an electric scooter trial for 3-6 months but no official plans have been started. 

ACT

It’s okay to ride electric scooters in ACT with the following conditions: 

You are allowed: 

• • on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, and the bicycle side of separated paths 
  • ride without a motorcycle license and registration 
  • on children’s crossing, marked foot crossing, and pedestrian crossing but must not exceed 10 km/h

You are not allowed: 

• • on roads and on-road bicycle lane 

Rider requirements: 

• • must not exceed 15 km/h on footpaths 
  • must not exceed 25 km/h on shared paths, bicycles paths, bicycle side of shared paths 
  • AU standard bike helmet 
  • follow road traffic rules 

For more info: Electric scooter rules in ACT

Electric Scooter trials may be held in Canberra as soon as this August.  

TAS

Electric scooters are legal in Tasmina under strict requirements similar to Victoria. The future use of electric scooters in the state is still under discussion. 

The electric scooter Xiaomi in Australia is popular for a good reason, but the current infrastructure is not quite ready for personal mobility devices. The local government didn’t expect that a motorized foot scooter will take over the streets and people are willing to flout the rules for convenience. Fortunately, changes are being made as electric scooters could prove to be useful for the tourism sector, while reducing congestion on the road.  

*This article was updated September 30, 2020