The Victorian Government is currently undertaking a trial of e-scooters to test if and how these devices can be permanently incorporated into Victoria’s transport system.
Find out more about the e-scooter trial and the rules which govern their use here.
Note: a motorised mobility device is not an e-scooter. Information about these devices can be found here.
Is my e-scooter legal?
Only devices which meet the following criteria are allowed to be ridden in Victoria under strict trial conditions:
A legal e-scooter is a vehicle designed for use by one person that—
(a) transports a person while the person is standing;
(b) has 2 wheels (one in front of the other);
(c) has a footboard between the front and rear wheels;
(d) is steered by means of a handlebar;
(e) has a maximum speed capability of 25 kilometres per hour when ridden on level ground; and
(f) can be propelled by one or both of the following—
(i) one or more electric motors;
(ii) a person pushing one foot against the ground.
Note the maximum speed you can travel on a legal e-scooter is 20 km/h.
The following devices are not considered legal devices and are not allowed to be ridden in public areas:
- e-scooters capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h
- devices powered by a petrol motor
- electric skateboards
- electric unicycles or monocycles
- electric roller-skates
- self-balancing motorised devices
- other personal mobility devices which don’t meet the above definition.
The above devices can only be ridden on private property. The fine for riding an illegal device in a public area is $925. Other penalties may also apply.
Low-powered e-scooters
Low-powered e-scooters (devices which have no more than 200 watts of power and are not capable of travelling faster than 10 km/h), can be used in the same manner as human-powered scooters and wheeled recreational devices (below)
Note that the vast majority of e-scooters are not low-powered e-scooters, and are capable of exceeding 10 km/h and 200 watts.