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Not legal in public. Private e-scooters may only be ridden on private property; hire scooters only in trial areas. Here are the rules for privately owned e-scooters in New South Wales, in plain English. It is general information, not legal advice — check the official sources at the bottom before you buy or ride.
The short version
- Private e-scooters are illegal in public places in NSW — roads, footpaths, shared paths and bike lanes. You can ride one on private property.
- Hire e-scooters are legal only inside trial areas (Wollongong and Forster-Tuncurry until 22 January 2027): 16+, helmet, 20 km/h (10 km/h on shared paths), no footpaths.
- Legalisation: draft rules (riders 16+, helmets) were published in October 2024, but no start date had been set by October 2026.
- Selling e-scooters: they must meet NSW safety standards and, since 1 February 2026, carry an approval mark.
Where you can ride
Privately owned e-scooters can’t be ridden on roads, footpaths, shared paths or bike lanes. Shared (hire) e-scooters may be ridden only in the trial areas — Wollongong and Forster-Tuncurry, until 22 January 2027 — at up to 20 km/h (10 km/h on shared paths), on roads up to 50 km/h, never on footpaths.
What’s changing
- The NSW Government is “exploring options” to legalise private e-scooters. Draft rules were published in October 2024 (riders 16+, helmets), but no start date has been set as of October 2026.
- Riding a private e-scooter in public can be treated as driving an unregistered, uninsured vehicle without a licence.
Fines
Official pages don’t list a dollar amount for riding a private e-scooter in public.
Hire e-scooters
Trials in Wollongong and Forster-Tuncurry run until 22 January 2027.
Buying one: safety standards and batteries
Mandatory in NSW: e-scooters sold must meet AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023, EN 17128:2020 or UL 2272, with a battery to UL 2271 or AS/NZS 60335.2.114. Since 1 February 2026 they need accredited testing and an approval mark on the product. Penalties up to $825,000 for sellers.
- Don’t buy a scooter to ride on NSW roads or paths until private riding is legal — you can only ride it on private property.
- Buy from a seller who can tell you which safety standard it meets (AS/NZS 60335.2.114, EN 17128 or UL 2272) and give you a receipt.
- Use the charger that came with it, and read our e-scooter battery safety guide.
- Record its serial number now — see where to find it. If it’s stolen, that number is how police match it to you.
Keep its serial, photos and receipt in a free EbikeMate Passport — proof it’s yours if it’s stolen, and easier to sell.
Common questions
Are e-scooters legal in NSW?
Privately owned e-scooters are not legal on NSW roads, footpaths, shared paths or bike lanes as of October 2026 — only on private property. Hire e-scooters are legal only inside the Wollongong and Forster-Tuncurry trial areas.
When will e-scooters be legal in NSW?
The NSW Government published draft rules in October 2024 and is exploring legal private riding, but no start date had been set as of October 2026.
Can I buy an e-scooter in NSW?
Yes — but it can only be ridden on private property, and since 1 February 2026 scooters sold in NSW must be certified to a safety standard and carry an approval mark.
Official sources
- NSW Government — Electric scooters
- NSW Government — Shared e-scooter trial
- NSW Government — Legalising e-scooter riding
- NSW Fair Trading — Safety standards for e-micromobility
- Legal Aid NSW — E-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards
This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.