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Legal since 1 December 2021. Here are the rules for privately owned e-scooters in Tasmania, 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 under 45 kg. No power (watt) limit for riders 16+.
- Footpaths: up to 15 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. Under-16s may only ride low-powered scooters (200 W or less and 10 km/h or less).
- Helmet: Required.
- No registration or insurance for a legal e-scooter.
What counts as a legal e-scooter in Tasmania
| Rule | Tasmania |
|---|---|
| Top speed it can reach | 25 km/h or less |
| Weight | Under 45 kg |
| Size | under 125 cm long, 70 cm wide and 135 cm high |
| Motor power | No limit for 16+; 200 W or less for under-16s |
| Registration, licence, insurance | Not needed |
Where you can ride, and how fast
| Where | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Footpath | 15 km/h |
| Shared path / bike path | 25 km/h |
| Road | 25 km/h — roads with a limit of 50 km/h or less |
Footpaths (15 km/h), shared and bike paths (25 km/h), and local roads with a 50 km/h limit or less with no dividing line or median — or other roads a council has declared.
Rider rules
- Age: 16. Under-16s may only ride low-powered scooters (200 W or less and 10 km/h or less).
- Helmet: Required.
- At night: white front light, red rear light and a red rear reflector. No passengers or animals. No phone.
- No registration or third-party insurance (treated like bicycles). A scooter outside these limits is a motor vehicle.
Fines
Police can fine riders and confiscate scooters; official pages don’t list the amounts.
Hire e-scooters
Hire scooters in Hobart and Launceston.
Buying one: safety standards and batteries
No Tasmania-specific product or battery standard.
- Check the top speed and weight against Tasmania’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 Tasmania?
Yes. Legal since 1 December 2021.
How fast can an e-scooter go in Tasmania?
The scooter must not be able to go faster than 25 km/h. Riders may go up to 15 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 Tasmania?
Yes, at up to 15 km/h, giving way to pedestrians (unless a sign says no).
Do I need a licence or registration for an e-scooter in Tasmania?
No — a legal e-scooter doesn’t need registration, a licence or insurance in Tasmania.
What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in Tasmania?
16. Under-16s may only ride low-powered scooters (200 W or less and 10 km/h or less).
How heavy can an e-scooter be in Tasmania?
Under 45 kg unladen.
Official sources
This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.