What is a motorised scooter?
A motorised scooter:
- has the same features as a foot scooter
- can be propelled by an electric motor with a maximum power output of 200 watts or less
- is not able to travel faster than 10 km/h when ridden on level ground.
A motorised mobility device is not a motorised scooter. Information about these devices can be found here.
Is my scooter legal?
If your motorised scooter:
- is powered by a petrol motor; OR
- has an electric motor with a power output of greater than 200 watts; OR
- has a speed capability of greater than 10 km/h
then it cannot be legally used on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, shared paths or public areas (unless it meets the standards for registration and is registered). The fine for riding an illegal device in a public area is $909. Other penalties may also apply.
IMPORTANT: Most newer model e-scooters exceed these thresholds and do not meet the standards for registration, and therefore cannot be used on Victorian public roads or footpaths at this time; they can only legally be ridden on private property.
E-scooter trial
The Victorian Government recognises there are potential benefits to allowing higher-power e-scooters in public areas, which is why Victoria is currently undertaking a controlled trial of high-powered for-hire e-scooters in several local government areas (City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip and City of Ballarat).
The purpose of the trial is to test if these devices could be incorporated into Victoria’s transport mix more broadly. Only scooters available to hire through approved commercial hire companies in the participating council areas are legal to ride in the trial; the use of privately-owned high-powered e-scooters will remain illegal during the trial period.
Find out more about the e-scooter trial here
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Rules for motorised scooters
If your scooter is legal (i.e. has no more than 200 watts of power and is not capable of travelling faster than 10 km/h), then you must follow the same rules as for human-powered scooters and wheeled recreational devices (below)
If your privately-owned scooter exceeds the current thresholds, then it can only be used on private property.