E-scooters
E-scooters provide an environmentally-friendly option to travel and you can stay safe by following a few simple rules.
E-scooters are legal to use all over Victoria, but riders need to follow the rules to keep themselves and everyone else safe.
Not following these rules will result in hefty fines, and even loss of your driver licence or serious injuries.
E-scooters are legal to use all over Victoria, but riders need to follow the rules to keep themselves and everyone else safe.
Not following these rules will result in hefty fines, and even loss of your driver licence or serious injuries.
| What you must do | What you can't do |
|---|---|
E-scooter riders must:
| If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't:
|
Learn more about the rules at E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger and not wearing a helmet as a passenger.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
| Offence | Penalty amount |
|---|---|
| Exceed 0.05 BAC or zero presence for prescribed drugs | See drink and drug-driving offences, which applies to drivers and e-scooter riders |
| Ride a non-compliant e-scooter (i.e. one capable of travelling faster than 25km/h, which is considered an unregistered motor vehicle) | $988 |
| Failing to wear a helmet on an e-scooter | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a footpath | $296 |
| Ride an e-scooter if under 16 years of age | $296 |
| Carry another person or animal on a e-scooter | $247 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a road with a speed-limit greater than 60 km/h | $198 |
| Exceed speed limit on an e-scooter (20 km/h max) | $346 |
| Ride an e-scooter while consuming alcohol | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter alongside another rider (riding 2 abreast) | $247 |
| Use a handheld mobile phone whilst riding | $593 |
| Fail to obey traffic lights | $494 |
| Riding as a passenger | $247 |
The rules for e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
For details on e-scooter penalties, visit E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Just like cyclists, e-scooter riders are responsible for costs caused by accidents. Consider getting private insurance in case you accidentally injure yourself or someone else while riding an e-scooter.
E-scooters are not considered to be a ‘motor vehicle’ under Victorian road law so TAC coverage doesn’t apply. However, if someone on an e-scooter is injured because of a collision with a car, motorcycle, bus, train or tram the TAC may consider the claim.
For more information, please refer to the Transport Accidents policy.
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
Does the TAC cover people who have been injured riding an e-scooter?
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
What is being done to increase safety and compliance?
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
Why can’t younger riders under the age of 16 ride e-scooters?
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
Why can’t I use an e-scooter that can travel above 25km/h?
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
Do e-scooter riders need to wear protective gear other than helmets?
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
How will other road users interact with e-scooters – are they like bicycles or like cars?
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
| What you must do | What you can't do |
|---|---|
E-scooter riders must:
| If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't:
|
Learn more about the rules at E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger and not wearing a helmet as a passenger.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
| Offence | Penalty amount |
|---|---|
| Exceed 0.05 BAC or zero presence for prescribed drugs | See drink and drug-driving offences, which applies to drivers and e-scooter riders |
| Ride a non-compliant e-scooter (i.e. one capable of travelling faster than 25km/h, which is considered an unregistered motor vehicle) | $988 |
| Failing to wear a helmet on an e-scooter | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a footpath | $296 |
| Ride an e-scooter if under 16 years of age | $296 |
| Carry another person or animal on a e-scooter | $247 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a road with a speed-limit greater than 60 km/h | $198 |
| Exceed speed limit on an e-scooter (20 km/h max) | $346 |
| Ride an e-scooter while consuming alcohol | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter alongside another rider (riding 2 abreast) | $247 |
| Use a handheld mobile phone whilst riding | $593 |
| Fail to obey traffic lights | $494 |
| Riding as a passenger | $247 |
The rules for e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
For details on e-scooter penalties, visit E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Just like cyclists, e-scooter riders are responsible for costs caused by accidents. Consider getting private insurance in case you accidentally injure yourself or someone else while riding an e-scooter.
E-scooters are not considered to be a ‘motor vehicle’ under Victorian road law so TAC coverage doesn’t apply. However, if someone on an e-scooter is injured because of a collision with a car, motorcycle, bus, train or tram the TAC may consider the claim.
For more information, please refer to the Transport Accidents policy.
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
Does the TAC cover people who have been injured riding an e-scooter?
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
What is being done to increase safety and compliance?
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
Why can’t younger riders under the age of 16 ride e-scooters?
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
Why can’t I use an e-scooter that can travel above 25km/h?
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
Do e-scooter riders need to wear protective gear other than helmets?
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
How will other road users interact with e-scooters – are they like bicycles or like cars?
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
E-scooter safety
| What you must do | What you can't do |
|---|---|
E-scooter riders must:
| If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't:
|
Learn more about the rules at E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Penalties for e-scooter riders
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger and not wearing a helmet as a passenger.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
| Offence | Penalty amount |
|---|---|
| Exceed 0.05 BAC or zero presence for prescribed drugs | See drink and drug-driving offences, which applies to drivers and e-scooter riders |
| Ride a non-compliant e-scooter (i.e. one capable of travelling faster than 25km/h, which is considered an unregistered motor vehicle) | $988 |
| Failing to wear a helmet on an e-scooter | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a footpath | $296 |
| Ride an e-scooter if under 16 years of age | $296 |
| Carry another person or animal on a e-scooter | $247 |
| Ride an e-scooter on a road with a speed-limit greater than 60 km/h | $198 |
| Exceed speed limit on an e-scooter (20 km/h max) | $346 |
| Ride an e-scooter while consuming alcohol | $395 |
| Ride an e-scooter alongside another rider (riding 2 abreast) | $247 |
| Use a handheld mobile phone whilst riding | $593 |
| Fail to obey traffic lights | $494 |
| Riding as a passenger | $247 |
The rules for e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
For details on e-scooter penalties, visit E-scooter road rules - Transport Victoria.
Insurance
Just like cyclists, e-scooter riders are responsible for costs caused by accidents. Consider getting private insurance in case you accidentally injure yourself or someone else while riding an e-scooter.
E-scooters are not considered to be a ‘motor vehicle’ under Victorian road law so TAC coverage doesn’t apply. However, if someone on an e-scooter is injured because of a collision with a car, motorcycle, bus, train or tram the TAC may consider the claim.
For more information, please refer to the Transport Accidents policy.
FAQs
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
Does the TAC cover people who have been injured riding an e-scooter?
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
What is being done to increase safety and compliance?
The new TAC safety campaign will promote safe rider behaviour and improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
Why can’t younger riders under the age of 16 ride e-scooters?
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
Why can’t I use an e-scooter that can travel above 25km/h?
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
Do e-scooter riders need to wear protective gear other than helmets?
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
How will other road users interact with e-scooters – are they like bicycles or like cars?
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
