Victoria’s shared e-scooter trial has concluded.
You can use hire/share scheme e-scooters in certain council areas.
Legal e-scooter use
Use of e-scooters is legalised in Victoria.
You can legally ride an e-scooter in Victoria if you:
- ride on:
- shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or
- roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
- are at least 16 years old
- wear a helmet
- do not travel more than 20km/h
- do not use your mobile phone
- do not carry a passenger (dinking).
Legal e-scooter definition
A legal e-scooter is defined as a vehicle that:
- is designed for use by one person
- has a maximum speed of 25 km/h when ridden on level ground
- transports a person while the person is standing or seated
- has two wheels (one in front of the other)
- has a footboard between the front and rear wheels
- is steered by a handlebar
- does not weigh more than 45kg
- is propelled by a motor, or by the person pushing one foot against the ground.
An e-scooter that falls outside the scope of this definition is considered an unregistered motor vehicle, and is liable to penalties.
Hire/shared scheme e-scooters
Shared scheme e-scooters are deemed a legal e-scooter, and are available across some council areas.
Shared e-scooters will not operate within the City of Melbourne.
Offences while using an e-scooter
Offending whilst riding an e-scooter may result in the loss of any driver licence or permit held.
Victoria Police may enforce laws including:
- unlicensed riding
- unregistered motor vehicle
- failing to wear a helmet
- riding on a footpath
- careless riding
- using a mobile phone while riding
- riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs (see Alcohol and drug testing table).
To enforce these laws, Victoria Police can:
- stop riders and require them to state their name and address
- require the rider to undergo alcohol and drug testing
- impound privately owned e-scooters if relevant offending is identified
- impose on-the-spot fines if offending is identified
- issue charges to appear before a court if offending is identified
- issue an immediate driver licence ban if offending is identified.
Alcohol and drug testing
| Legal e-scooter | 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Regardless of the status or conditions of any motor vehicle licence held, and irrespective of the age of the rider. |
|---|---|
| Non-compliant e-scooter | 0.00 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Unless a full and current motorcycle licence is held by the rider, these licence conditions will then apply. |
| Drugs | Riders can be required to undergo roadside drug testing, drug impairment assessments and in some circumstances provide blood samples. |
For further information and rules regarding e-scooters in Victoria, refer to the Transport Victoria website.
Updated