E-scooter rules in Australian Capital Territory (2026)

In short: E-scooters that meet the device requirements may be used on footpaths, shared paths and nature strips, and on roads only where no path is practical, with a helmet and no passengers. Speed limits are 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on shared paths, and children under 12 must be supervised. This is read from an archived copy of the official page.

Notes

• Roads are allowed only if there is no footpath, shared path or nature strip next to the road, or it is not practical or safe to use them.
• Read from the definitions in the legislation, not from a Government guidance page. A personal mobility device that can travel faster than 25 km/h is a motor vehicle.
• The page says children under 12 must be supervised by an adult; shared Lime devices are for people aged 16 or over. No general minimum age was read.
• The page read does not state whether a licence, registration, insurance or plate applies.
• A permitted e-scooter has an electric motor, is for one rider, weighs 60 kg or less, has a braking system and is no larger than 1,250 mm long, 700 mm wide and 1,350 mm high. A device faster than 25 km/h is a motor vehicle.

Sources

1. Transport Canberra and City Services, ACT Government: E-scooters and personal mobility devices - Transport Canberra (Internet Archive snapshot of 8 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
2. ACT Legislation Register: Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999 | Acts (A1999-78, republication 43, effective 21 June 2024) (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
3. ACT Legislation Register: Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999 | Acts (A1999-81, republication 26, effective 11 May 2022) (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Australian Capital Territory

• CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 18+ within the limit · Growing at home: Yes, 2 plants per adult, 4 per home
• Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
• Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
• Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 years 9 months, with a supervisor
• Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
• E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Same rights as bicycles
• FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence or permit needed)
• Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent visa: ACT licence after 3 months
• Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
• Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
• MopedsLicence: Motorcycle licence (class R)
• Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
• Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
• Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or untouched; L/P: no voice use
• Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
• Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, compulsory · Minimum alarms and where: On or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms, installed as per the manufacturer's instructions and the National Construction Code. A multi-level home needs smoke alarms on each level, interconnected.
• Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
• Towing trailers and caravansTrailer mass allowed with a car licence in any combination: Up to 9,000 kg GVM
• Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
• Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

Related pages

• E-scooter rules in Australia (2026)

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