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Legal since 13 July 2025 (laws under review in 2026). Here are the rules for privately owned e-scooters in South Australia, 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: no device top speed set — rider speed limits apply; weighs up to 45 kg. No power (watt) limit.
- Footpaths: up to 10 km/h. Paths: up to 25 km/h. Roads: up to 25 km/h, on roads with a limit of 50 km/h or less.
- Age: 16 — letting an under-16 ride is an offence.
- Helmet: Required (exemption for Sikh riders wearing a turban).
- No registration or insurance for a legal e-scooter.
What counts as a legal e-scooter in South Australia
| Rule | South Australia |
|---|---|
| Top speed it can reach | Not set (rider limits apply) |
| Weight | Up to 45 kg |
| Size | up to 1,250 mm long, 700 mm wide and 1,350 mm high |
| Motor power | No limit |
| Registration, licence, insurance | Not needed |
Where you can ride, and how fast
| Where | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Footpath | 10 km/h |
| Shared path / bike path | 25 km/h |
| Road | 25 km/h — roads with a limit of 50 km/h or less |
Roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, and bike lanes on 60 km/h roads. 10 km/h on footpaths, shared paths, beaches and when crossing a road; 25 km/h on bike paths and roads.
Rider rules
- Age: 16 — letting an under-16 ride is an offence.
- Helmet: Required (exemption for Sikh riders wearing a turban).
- Front and rear lights at night or in bad weather. No passengers. No phone (a handlebar mount for GPS is OK). Don’t ride side by side.
- No licence, registration or CTP — so injury claims fall on the rider personally.
- Not allowed on Adelaide Metro buses, trains or trams.
- A statutory review began on 26 June 2026; no changes had been announced by October 2026.
Fines
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Speeding (example: 40 km/h in a bike lane) | $320 expiation |
Maximum $2,500; licence holders may also get demerit points. Per-offence amounts aren’t listed on official pages.
Hire e-scooters
Hire scooters run in Adelaide under council agreements.
Buying one: safety standards and batteries
The device must meet any applicable electrical safety standards; no SA-specific battery standard.
- Check the top speed and weight against South Australia’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 South Australia?
Yes. Legal since 13 July 2025 (laws under review in 2026).
How fast can an e-scooter go in South Australia?
Riders may go up to 10 km/h on footpaths, 25 km/h on shared and bike paths and 25 km/h on roads with a limit of 50 km/h or less.
Can I ride an e-scooter on the footpath in South Australia?
Yes, at up to 10 km/h, giving way to pedestrians (unless a sign says no).
Do I need a licence or registration for an e-scooter in South Australia?
No — a legal e-scooter doesn’t need registration, a licence or insurance in South Australia.
What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in South Australia?
16 — letting an under-16 ride is an offence.
How heavy can an e-scooter be in South Australia?
Up to 45 kg unladen.
Official sources
- SA Law Handbook — Personal mobility devices
- Department for Infrastructure and Transport — Review of e-scooter laws (June 2026)
- SA Police — e-scooter enforcement (Aug 2025)
- Legal Services Commission SA — E-scooter laws FAQ
This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.