Queensland E-Scooter Rules

Two e-scooter riders wearing helmets on a waterfront path

Last checked: 16 October 2026. Queensland's e-mobility laws changed on 1 July and 31 August 2026. This page is a plain English summary. The official Queensland Government pages linked below are the final word, so check them if you're unsure.

Quick summary

  • You must be 16 or older and hold at least a learner licence to ride an e-scooter or e-bike on its own.
  • E-scooters must be limited to 25 km/h. Older scooters have until 28 February 2027 to be limited.
  • 12 km/h on footpaths, and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.
  • Helmet on, phone away, one rider only.
  • The 0.05 alcohol limit applies and police can breath test riders.

Who can ride

  • From 31 August 2026, riders of e-scooters, e-skateboards, e-unicycles and e-bikes must be 16 or older and hold a valid driver licence (learner licence or higher). Interstate and overseas licences are recognised.
  • Supervised riding: children aged 12 to 15, and 16 and 17-year-olds without a licence, can ride if a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or carer is close enough to give instructions. The supervision exemption doesn't cover children under 12, so they can't ride on public paths or roads.
  • Medical or disability exemption: riders 16 or older who can't get a driver licence because of a medical condition or disability can ride with an exemption. A registered health practitioner who knows you, such as your doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist, completes form F5464. It lasts up to 5 years, isn't lodged with the government, and must be carried while riding (a photo on your phone is fine). It doesn't apply if your licence was suspended, cancelled or disqualified for a non-medical reason. If you're waiting on your form, there's a grace period until 30 November 2026.
  • Age and licence rules don't apply in low-pedestrian recreational areas such as rail trails and mountain bike trails.
  • Parents can be fined if a child under 16 rides illegally.

What counts as a legal e-scooter

  • Designed for one person
  • Maximum 750 mm wide, 1,350 mm high and 1,100 mm wheelbase
  • Maximum 60 kg without a rider
  • Limited to a maximum of 25 km/h under motor power

Scooters that can go faster than 25 km/h must be speed limited by 28 February 2027. After that date, a scooter that isn't locked to 25 km/h is illegal to ride in public and can be seized by police. Ask us if you're not sure whether your scooter can be limited.

Where you can ride and how fast

Where Maximum speed
Footpaths 12 km/h
Shared paths 12 km/h when passing pedestrians, unless signed otherwise
Bike paths and separated paths 25 km/h, unless signed otherwise
Roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, and their bike lanes 25 km/h, or the posted limit if lower

You can't ride on roads over 60 km/h or past "personal mobility devices prohibited" signs. Councils can also ban scooters in places like malls and esplanades.

Riding rules

  • Helmet: wear an approved bicycle or motorbike helmet, fitted and fastened.
  • Phone: you can't hold your phone or rest it on your body, even if it's off. A handlebar mount for navigation is fine.
  • No passengers. One rider only.
  • Keep left and give way to pedestrians.
  • Crossings: stop before a marked crossing, give way to pedestrians and ride across at 12 km/h or less.
  • Alcohol: 0.05 limit. Police can breath test riders.
  • At night: white front light and red rear light visible from 200 m, plus a red rear reflector.
  • Equipment: working brakes, and a bell or horn if the scooter has handlebars.
  • Parking: don't block footpaths, paths or nature strips.

Fines

Offence Fine
Riding without a licence, no helmet, carrying a passenger, careless riding or riding on a prohibited road $518
Speeding $345 to $1,986
Riding a scooter that isn't speed limited (after the transition period) $621
Drink riding $518 to $6,908
Parent of an under-16 rider riding illegally $518
Unsafe parking $172

Fines change from time to time. Check the official pages for current amounts.

E-bikes

  • Riders must be 16 or older with at least a learner licence (supervision exemptions apply as above).
  • Motor assistance up to 25 km/h, maximum 250 W continuous power, and throttle-only use up to 6 km/h.
  • E-bikes made after 1 July 2026 must meet the EN 15194 standard and be labelled.
  • Powerful e-bikes that don't meet the rules can only be ridden on private property.

Buying a scooter from Urban Wheelz

It's illegal to sell an e-scooter or e-bike to anyone under 16 in Queensland. We're required to ask for proof of age before every sale, so please bring photo ID when you come in to buy.

Every e-scooter we sell is supplied speed limited to 25 km/h, the legal limit for riding in public in Queensland. We don't adjust speed limits for customers. If the speed limit is changed to allow more than 25 km/h, the scooter no longer complies with Queensland law and can only be ridden on private property.

Official Queensland Government information

This page is general information only and isn't legal advice. Laws and fines can change. Always check the official Queensland Government pages.

More guides

E-Scooter Safety Tips E-Scooter Safety Tips Pre-ride checks, tyres, wet weather and battery care. E-Scooter Maintenance Guide E-Scooter Maintenance Guide A simple schedule to keep your scooter running well. Helmet Size & Fit Guide Helmet Size & Fit Guide How to measure, find your size and check the fit.