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Legal. New rules from 1 July 2026; riders need at least a learner licence from 31 August 2026. Here are the rules for privately owned e-scooters in Queensland, 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
- Device: can’t be able to go faster than 25 km/h; weighs up to 60 kg. No power (watt) limit.
- Footpaths: up to 12 km/h. Paths: up to 25 km/h. Roads: up to 25 km/h, on roads with a limit of 60 km/h or less.
- Age: 16, with at least a learner licence (from 31 August 2026). Supervised exemptions for 12–17-year-olds.
- Helmet: Required — an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.
- No registration or insurance for a legal e-scooter.
What counts as a legal e-scooter in Queensland
| Rule | Queensland |
|---|---|
| Top speed it can reach | 25 km/h or less |
| Weight | Up to 60 kg |
| Size | up to 750 mm wide and 1,350 mm high; wheelbase up to 1,100 mm |
| Motor power | No limit |
| Registration, licence, insurance | No registration; rider needs at least a learner licence |
Where you can ride, and how fast
| Where | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Footpath | 12 km/h |
| Shared path / bike path | 25 km/h |
| Road | 25 km/h — roads with a limit of 60 km/h or less |
Roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, and bike lanes on those roads. Physically separated bike lanes on any road. On shared paths, slow to 12 km/h when passing people.
Rider rules
- Age: 16, with at least a learner licence (from 31 August 2026). Supervised exemptions for 12–17-year-olds.
- Helmet: Required — an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.
- From 28 February 2027 every e-scooter, including ones bought before 1 July 2026, must be limited to 25 km/h.
- Shops can’t sell e-scooters to under-16s (from 1 July 2026). Police can seize and destroy illegal devices.
- At night: white front light and red rear light visible from 200 m, plus a red rear reflector.
- A bell or horn if it has handlebars. No passengers. No hand-held phone (a handlebar mount for GPS is OK).
- Blood alcohol under 0.05 — riders can be breath tested.
- No registration or insurance for a legal e-scooter.
Fines
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| No helmet, riding unlicensed, a passenger, or careless riding | $518 each |
| Speeding | $345–$1,986 |
| Drink riding | $518, up to $6,908 in court |
| Unsafe parking | $172 |
| Parent of an under-16 riding illegally | $518 |
Amounts from 2026; no demerit points.
Hire e-scooters
Hire scooters run under council agreements (for example in Brisbane).
Buying one: safety standards and batteries
No product certification is required in Queensland. The Electrical Safety Office advises buying one tested to AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023, with a battery management system and an RCM-marked charger.
- Check the top speed and weight against Queensland’s limits before you pay — most fast scooters can’t be ridden legally here.
- 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 Queensland?
Yes. Legal. New rules from 1 July 2026; riders need at least a learner licence from 31 August 2026.
How fast can an e-scooter go in Queensland?
The scooter must not be able to go faster than 25 km/h. Riders may go up to 12 km/h on footpaths, 25 km/h on shared and bike paths and 25 km/h on roads with a limit of 60 km/h or less.
Can I ride an e-scooter on the footpath in Queensland?
Yes, at up to 12 km/h, giving way to pedestrians (unless a sign says no).
Do I need a licence or registration for an e-scooter in Queensland?
No registration, but from 31 August 2026 riders must be 16+ and hold at least a learner licence.
What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in Queensland?
16, with at least a learner licence (from 31 August 2026). Supervised exemptions for 12–17-year-olds.
How heavy can an e-scooter be in Queensland?
Up to 60 kg unladen.
Official sources
- Queensland Government — Personal mobility devices (rules)
- Queensland Government — Buying e-mobility devices
- StreetSmarts — E-bikes and e-scooters (fines)
- Electrical Safety Office — Using and charging e-scooters
This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.