Scooters & wheeled recreational devices
A summary of the key Victorian road rules regarding scooter and wheeled recreational devices.
There are some road rules that riders of scooters and wheeled recreational devices need to follow. These are explained below.
The rules in detail
The key road rules and reference numbers regarding scooters and wheeled recreational devices are:
- 240A - No wheeled recreational devices or toys sign
- 240 - Wheeled recreational devices and toys not to be used on certain roads
- 241 - Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a road
- 242 - Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a footpath or shared path
- 243 - Travelling on rollerblades etc. on a bicycle path or separated footpath
- 244 - Wheeled recreational devices or wheeled toys being towed etc.
- 244A - Meanings of scooter
- 244B - Wearing of helmets and other requirements for users of scooters
- Victorian Government Gazette S 318 18 September 2012 – Vehicles that are not motor vehicles
- Rules around hoverboards, segways and other motorised personal mobility devices can be found on the Hoverboards, Segways and other motorised personal mobility devices page.
Update: E-Scooter trial
The Victorian Government will partner with three metropolitan councils and one regional council following a targeted expression of interest process undertaken earlier this year to conduct electric scooter (e-scooter) trials in Victoria to understand how these vehicles can be safely incorporated into the Victorian transport network.
Similar regulated trials have been conducted in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory to see how these vehicles fit within each respective jurisdictions’ transport network.
The trial complements the National Transport Commission’s review into the safe use of innovative vehicles, including e-scooters, and will provide Victoria with strong data to consider longer term impacts of these vehicles on our network.
The Minister for Roads and Road Safety has set up a select Panel to provide oversight and make recommendations at the conclusion of the trial.
Rules for wheeled recreational devices
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Wheeled recreational devices cannot be:
- used on pedestrian side of separated paths, but can be used on footpaths
- used on roads with dividing lines or median strips
- used on roads with a speed limit of more than 50 km per hour
- used on the road at night, except to cross the road, e.g. at an intersection. This rule does not apply to scooters with lights (refer to Rules for Scooters below).
- towed or used in the slipstream of another vehicle
- used where there is a 'No Wheeled Recreational Devices or Toys' sign.
You are not allowed to use motorised skateboards on public roads or road related areas including footpaths or nature strips.
What is a wheeled recreational device?
Wheeled recreational devices include:
- scooters
- skateboards
- roller blades
- roller skates.
Wheeled recreational devices don't include:
- bicycles
- golf buggies
- prams
- strollers
- trolleys
- wheelchairs (see our Pedestrians page)
- wheeled toys
- scooters that are a motor vehicle (a motor with an output of 200 watts or more).
Rules for scooters
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Scooter riders must:
- follow the rules for wheeled recreational devices
- wear an Australian Standards approved bicycle helmet
- ride with at least one effective brake on their scooter
- ride with a bell or horn on their scooter
- at night have a
- white light (flashing or steady) on the front
- red light (flashing or steady) on the back
- a red reflector on the back.
What is a foot scooter?
A foot scooter:
- has two or three wheels
- has a footboard between the front and back wheels
- is steered by handlebars
- may or may not have a seat
- is moved by pushing one foot against the ground.
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.
Is my scooter legal?
If your motorised scooter:
- is powered by a petrol motor
- has an electric motor with a maximum power greater than 200 watts
- has a maximum speed greater than 10 km/h
then it cannot be legally used on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, share paths and public areas. The fine for an illegal device is $826. Other penalties may also apply.