Australian Electric Scooter Laws 2021 (July 2022)
Electric scooters are growing in popularity in Australia as more people ditch cars and public transport for this more eco friendly form of transport. Whether it’s for the daily commute or for recreational riding, more and more Australians are escaping the traffic jams and enjoying the freedom that this transport revolution offers. Although this is slowly changing, unfortunately, the use of electric personal mobility devices is still not legal in every state of Australia. Currently different rules apply and you need to be aware of any fines and penalties. However, there is a big push happening right now for the federal government to implement laws for these devices across all of Australia.
VIC
The good news with Victoria is the Victorian Government is currently partnering with three metropolitan councils and one regional council following a targeted expression of interest process undertaken earlier this year to conduct electric scooter (e-scooter) trials in Victoria. This is to better understand how these vehicles can be safely incorporated into the Victorian transport network.
Similar regulated trials have been conducted in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory to see how these vehicles fit within each respective jurisdictions’ transport network.
The trial complements the National Transport Commission’s review into the safe use of innovative vehicles, including e-scooters, and will provide Victoria with strong data to consider longer term impacts of these vehicles on our network.
The Minister for Roads and Road Safety has set up a select Panel to provide oversight and make recommendations at the conclusion of the trial.
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/scooters-and-wheeled-recreational-devices
Victoria has the following rules for driving in public spaces: to ride on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, share paths and public areas.
If your motorised scooter:
has an electric motor with a maximum power greater than 200 watts
has a maximum speed greater than 10 km/h
if not, then it cannot be legally used on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, share paths and public areas. The fine for an illegal device is $826. Other penalties may also apply. https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/scooters-and-wheeled-recreational-devices
QLD
Queensland has laws allowing the use of electric rideables in public spaces and road related areas. To be considered legal in QLD a 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 speed of 25km/h
have a maximum weight of 60kg—when not carrying a person or load
be powered by an electric motor
have 1 or more wheels
have a braking system
have no sharp protrusions.
For safe riding in QLD you must:
be at least 16 years of age, or 12 with adult supervision
wear an approved bicycle helmet, that is securely fitted, at all times
not carry passengers
not use a mobile device
not drink and ride
have a working flashing or steady white light on the front, and a red light and reflector at the rear when travelling at night or in hazardous conditions.
When riding on a path in QLD 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.
For full details on laws for electric rideables in QLD visit the link below. https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices
ACT
Just like Queensland, the ACT also has laws that allow for the use of electric ridables on Canberra’s roads and road related areas. The ACT Government states that just as if you were driving a car or riding a motorcycle, road rules apply to riding on the road or road related area so be aware and take responsibility!
Here are the rules for using an e-scooter in the ACT
You must wear an approved bicycle helmet while riding
You can ride on shared paths, bike paths, the bicycle side of separated paths and footpaths.
You cannot ride on the road, unless there is no footpath or nature strip available or they are impractical to use.
You must give way to pedestrians and keep to the left.
Show courtesy to other path users and ride to the conditions. The speed limit is 15km/h for footpaths and 25 km/h on shared/bike paths. You must slow down to 10km/h when using a crossing, be prepared to stop, keep left and give way to pedestrians. Please ride more slowly around others.
You must not be impaired by alcohol or drugs, operate mobile devices or carry any passengers.
Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult.
For full details on the laws in the ACT, click the link below.
https://www.transport.act.gov.au/travel-options/e-scooters/e-scooter-rules
NSW
Looks like the fun stops at the ACT and QLD as the rest of the states of Australia do not have laws that allow the reasonable use of any electric scooters or similar. Here is the statement from the NSW Centre for Road Safety regarding their use.
Powered foot scooters and skateboards cannot be registered and can only be used on private land
TAS
The apple isle has similar law to VIC not allowing scooters with motor output greater than 200W (which is really no current models on the market) and the rules below must be followed.
The riders of motorised scooters will in future be required to wear an approved bicycle helmet; and as with other wheeled recreational devices
can be used on paths and roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less but cannot be used on roads with dividing lines or median strips
must keep to the left on roads and paths and must not be ridden two abreast
must not be used on the road at night except if crossing by the shortest route, for
example at an intersection, although they can be used on paths at night
must give way to walkers and be ridden with due care and attention
SA As we travel around to South Australia, the laws look pretty grim for anyone wanting to use an electric scooter to get around. The following statement is from the South Australian Dept of Infrastructure and Transport. Can I ride a motorised wheeled recreational device on a road, footpath or bike track? No. These devices cannot be used on roads or road related areas such as foot paths, bike/pedestrian tracks, or vehicle parking areas. Under South Australian legislation, these devices are considered to be motor vehicles. Operating a motor vehicle requires a driver’s licence, registration and compulsory third party insurance. As these devices do not meet the safety standards under the Australian Design Rules they are not eligible for registration. https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/riding_motorised_scooters
WA Heading over to the west coast, the laws in WA reflect what we see in the other states. Nothing over 200W or 10 km/h is permitted. Read below for the WA Department of Transports rules for electric scooters. Compliant e-scooters can only be legally ridden on low speed WA public roads and paths if their maximum power output is no more than 200 watts and they cannot travel more than 10 km/h on level ground. Many e-scooters on the market are non-compliant and have motors that exceed 200 watts and can travel at speeds much faster than 10 km/h. Full details of WA’s laws are linked below. https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/aboutus/news-item_44987.asp
NT Last stop on the national tour of electric scooter laws is the Northern Territory. Whether you reside in Darwin or the red centre, looks like you are subject to the same restrictions found in VIC, SA, TAS and WA. Here is the official statement from the Northern Territory Government Dept of Transport. A motorised foot scooter is typically a wheeled recreation device equipped with an engine or motor of some description. Motorised scooters with a power output greater than 200 watts are defined as motor vehicles in the NT Motor Vehicles Act. As motor vehicles, motorised scooters used on roads, or in public places, need to be registered and ridden by licensed riders. However, motorised scooters are not designed or manufactured to comply with registration requirements and national safety standards for road vehicles, such as Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Therefore, they cannot be granted registration for on-road use and may not be ridden on public roads or places open to the public (including footpaths, bike paths, car parks, etc. https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/374352/v56-motorised-foot-scooters-and-power-assisted-cycles.pdf
In summary, the laws around Australia currently are not very electric scooter friendly with the exception of Queensland and ACT. If you are reading this chances are that you really want to ride an electric scooter legally but reside within a state which does not allow it. Our goal is move more people out combustion engine vehicles and on to electric motor vehicles - reducing congestion and improving air quality - all while having fun doing it on an electric scooter.