E-Scooter and E-Bike Rules for Australian Drivers

Photo: Nick-D, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

E-scooters, e-bikes and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) now share Australian roads, paths and crossings with cars, and the rules differ by state. Queensland changed its law in 2026. Since 31 August 2026, e-scooter and e-bike riders there must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence. This explainer covers what drivers must do around riders, the new Queensland rules, and where to watch for them.

Key facts

When passing a bicycle or PMD rider in Queensland, leave at least 1 metre where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h. Other states’ passing rules are in minimum passing distance for cyclists.
Queensland PMD speed limits: 12 km/h on a footpath without a speed sign and when crossing a road at a crossing; otherwise 25 km/h, or lower if a path sign says so.
Queensland PMDs must not ride on roads with a speed limit over 60 km/h, except in a PMD-permitted bicycle lane.
From 31 August 2026, if your Queensland licence is suspended or disqualified, you cannot ride an e-scooter or e-bike either.

What changed in Queensland in 2026

Date	Change
1 July 2026	Police can seize and destroy illegal devices and breath test riders in public places. Devices that can go faster than 25 km/h unassisted are banned. A 12 km/h limit applies near pedestrians. Higher penalties apply for speeding, not wearing a helmet, careless riding, carrying passengers illegally and riding on prohibited roads
31 August 2026	Riders must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence. Interstate and international licences are accepted. Riders with a suspended or disqualified licence cannot ride. Parents can be fined if children under 16 ride illegally

Supervision and exemptions

Children aged 12 to 15, and 16 and 17 year olds without a licence, may ride if a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer supervises them. This applies outside designated recreational areas.
Designated recreational areas, such as rail trails and mountain bike trails, are exempt from the age and licence rules.
People aged 16 or over who cannot hold a licence because of a medical condition or disability may get a medical exemption. Certificates are valid for five years, with a grace period to 30 November 2026.

For a Queensland learner, this means your learner licence is now also your e-scooter licence. Losing it to demerit points stops you riding as well as driving. See Queensland learner rules.

Other states and territories

ACT: the handbook treats a Segway-type personal mobility device user as a pedestrian with extra duties: a helmet, a bell or horn, lights at night, keeping left on paths. They may ride on the road only where there is no usable footpath, shared path or nature strip. Drivers must give way to them on pedestrian, children’s and signalised marked foot crossings. Riders must slow to 10 km/h approaching a crossing. The ACT handbook dates from 2019, so check current e-scooter rules with Access Canberra.
Victoria: people using motorised mobility devices, such as mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, follow pedestrian rules.
NSW, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT: e-scooter and e-bike rules differ and have been changing. Check your transport department’s current page before you ride or buy one.

Mobility scooters for people who have trouble walking are different from e-scooters. Treat their users as pedestrians and give them extra time.

Where drivers meet e-scooters and e-bikes

Place	What to do
Turning left across a bike lane or path	Check your left mirror and blind spot, then give way to riders before you cross the lane
Driveways crossing a footpath	When you enter the road from a driveway you must give way to vehicles and pedestrians. Riders on footpaths can arrive faster than walkers, so edge out slowly and look both ways along the path
Pedestrian and shared-path crossings	Give way to riders crossing, as you would to pedestrians
Passing on the road	Leave the legal gap (1 m at 60 km/h or less, 1.5 m above, in Queensland) and only pass when you can see the road ahead is clear
Opening your door	Check behind for riders before you open it

These are hazards to look for on your hazard perception test and drive test. See hazard perception tests in every state.

Common questions

Do you need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Queensland?

Yes, from 31 August 2026: at least a learner licence and at least 16, unless you are supervised, in a designated recreational area or medically exempt.

Can I ride an e-scooter on L plates in Queensland?

Yes. A learner licence meets the minimum licence rule. Interstate and international licences are also accepted.

How fast can e-scooters go in Queensland?

25 km/h at most, 12 km/h on footpaths without a speed sign and when crossing a road, and lower where a path sign says so.

Can e-scooters use the road in Queensland?

Not on roads with a speed limit over 60 km/h, unless they are in a PMD-permitted bicycle lane.

If I lose my licence, can I still ride an e-bike in Queensland?

No. From 31 August 2026 you cannot ride with a suspended or disqualified licence.

Do drivers have to give way to e-scooters at pedestrian crossings?

Yes. Give way to anyone on or entering a crossing. The ACT handbook says this directly for personal mobility devices.

Related guides

Sources

Queensland Government, “New e-bike and e-scooter laws start as enforcement ramps up” (statements.qld.gov.au)
Queensland Government, “Rules for personal mobility devices” and “E-bike rules in Queensland” (qld.gov.au)
Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management, Road Rules) Regulation 2009”, sections 24C, 144A and 252B (legislation.qld.gov.au)
Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, Personal mobility device users in the ACT (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Pedestrians and giving way (transport.vic.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, Turning and cyclists (transport.wa.gov.au)

E-Scooter Rules in Australia: What Drivers Need to Know