E-scooters provide an environmentally friendly option to travel and you can stay safe by following a few simple rules.
E-scooters are legal to use all over Victoria, but riders need to follow the rules to keep themselves and everyone else safe.
Not following these rules can result in hefty fines, loss of your driver’s licence and serious injuries.
Does the TAC cover people who have been injured riding an e-scooter?
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
What is being done to increase safety and compliance?
The TAC e-scooter safety campaign aims to promote safe rider behaviour, improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 , with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
Why can’t younger riders under the age of 16 ride e-scooters?
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
Why can’t I use an e-scooter that can travel above 25km/h?
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
Do e-scooter riders need to wear protective gear other than helmets?
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
How will other road users interact with e-scooters – are they like bicycles or like cars?
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.
Does the TAC cover people who have been injured riding an e-scooter?
The TAC scheme does not apply to injuries that arise from the operation of a legally owned private e-scooter or shared scheme e-scooter.
The TAC scheme does cover people involved in transport accidents caused by the driving of a Victorian registered motor vehicle, train or tram.
If a person riding an e-scooter is involved in a transport accident with a registered motor vehicle, train or tram, they may be eligible to the same levels of compensation as cyclists under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
What is being done to increase safety and compliance?
The TAC e-scooter safety campaign aims to promote safe rider behaviour, improve knowledge of the rules, and improve awareness of the consequences of unsafe riding.
Fines have increased for e-scooter offences. This includes not wearing a helmet, riding on the footpath, riding while or after drinking alcohol and riding with a passenger.
New fines also apply for riding as a passenger, including a higher fine for passengers not wearing a helmet.
The rules for riding e-scooters are in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 , with specific rules in Part 15.
If you break multiple rules, you could get more than one fine.
Why can’t younger riders under the age of 16 ride e-scooters?
You must be a minimum age of 16 to use an e-scooter, which aligns with other jurisdictions and the Australian Road Rules. Sixteen is also the age at which someone in Victoria can receive a learner permit and is likely to be familiar with the road rules.
Parents and carers should be reminded that e-scooters are only legal for people aged 16 years and over and are asked to play their role in keeping their kids safe.
The responsibility to keep Victorians safe is taken extremely seriously – and that is why e-scooters are regulated with strong road rules in place.
Why can’t I use an e-scooter that can travel above 25km/h?
The maximum speed capability rules out devices that can travel at excessive speed, which would put everyone at risk. It aligns with rules elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
E-scooters with a maximum speed capability of up to 25 km/h do not require licencing, registration, or insurance because they are low-speed devices.
Devices capable of travelling faster than 25 km/h are considered unregistered motor vehicles and riders caught riding one could face significant fines.
Do e-scooter riders need to wear protective gear other than helmets?
E-scooter riders are encouraged to take safety seriously and do what they can to improve their safety, including by wearing bright clothing (especially at night) and other equipment that will improve safety.
How will other road users interact with e-scooters – are they like bicycles or like cars?
E-scooter riders must be treated the same as bicycle riders by other road users.