E-scooter road rules
You can ride an e-scooter in Victoria, as long as you follow certain rules.
E-scooters that comply with specifications outlined in the Victorian road rules are now legal to use across Victoria.
All riders must follow the rules to keep everyone safe, including always wearing a helmet and never riding on footpaths or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines or even the loss of your driver's licence.
It is against the law to ride an e-scooter on public land if it doesn't meet Victorian device requirements.
A legal e-scooter is a device which:
- has a maximum speed of 25 km/h when ridden on level ground
- transports one 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, and
- does not weigh more than 45kg.
You don't need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Victoria. However, your driver's licence can be affected if you ride an e-scooter while affected by alcohol or drugs. See drink and drug driving offences.
What you must do
E-scooter riders must:
- be aged 16 or over
- wear a helmet
- ride at no more than 20 km/h
- ride on:
- shared-use paths
- bicycle paths
- roads with a speed limit of up to 60 km/h
- use flashing or steady front and rear lights, if riding at night or in low light
- park responsibly in a location that does not disrupt pedestrians or pose a safety hazard
- keep to approved areas if using a hired e-scooter.
What you can't do
If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't:
- ride on the footpath
- ride an e-scooter capable of more than 25km/h
- ride on roads with a speed limit above 60km/h
- ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol (you can be breath tested and lose your licence)
- use a mobile phone
- carry passengers or animals
- ride in tandem (side by side).
Penalties for e-scooter riders
The rules for e-scooter use are published in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017. Some specific e-scooter rules are listed in Part 15.
Some penalties for breaking the rules are listed below. You can get more than one fine if you're breaking multiple rules. Penalty values are current as of 1 July 2025.
| 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. At a minimum you will:
|
| Ride a non-compliant e-scooter (i.e. one capable of travelling faster than 25km/h, which is considered an unregistered motor vehicle) | $1,018 |
| Failing to wear helmet | $407 |
| Ride e-scooter on a footpath | $305 |
| Ride e-scooter if under 16 years of age | $305 |
| Riding with a passenger | $254 |
| Riding as a passenger | $254, increasing to $661 if not wearing a helmet. |
| Ride e-scooter on a road with a speed-limit greater than 60 km/h | $356 |
| Exceed speed limit on e-scooter (20 km/h max) | $254 |
| Drinking alcohol while riding | $407 |
| Ride e-scooter alongside another rider (riding 2 abreast) | $204 |
| Use a handheld mobile phone whilst riding | $611 |
| Fail to obey traffic lights | $509 |
Shared hire schemes
Local councils decide whether to allow e-scooter, bike and e-bike shared hire services in their local government areas. Hire service operators must have an agreement with the council to operate.
Shared hire e-scooter operators must also be approved by the Department of Transport and Planning before operating in Victoria. To gain approval, operators must demonstrate that their devices and operations incorporate safety-enhancing technologies, such as footpath detection, helmet verification, technologies to deter drug or alcohol affected riding and parking management features.
For more information visit the Shared Hire schemes page.
Battery safety
E-scooters typically use lithium-ion batteries which can pose a fire risk, particularly if they are improperly used, stored, charged, or manufactured.
You should purchase devices, batteries and chargers from reputable suppliers and always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Improper charging is one of the leading causes of lithium-ion battery fires. To reduce the risks of a battery fire:
- Only use chargers that are supplied with the device or certified third-party charging equipment that is compatible with the battery specifications.
- Don’t charge on soft or flammable surfaces.
- Don’t use damaged chargers, cords or batteries that show signs of swelling or bulging, leaking, overheating or signs of mechanical damage.
- Don’t leave batteries or devices unattended whilst charging and once fully charged, disconnect them from the charger.
For more information on lithium-ion battery safety, visit:
- Battery safety - Fire Rescue Victoria
- Lithium-ion battery safety - Energy Safe Victoria
- Charging and battery safety - Country Fire Authority