E-scooter rules in New South Wales (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Privately owned e-scooters may not be ridden on any public road or path in New South Wales. Shared e-scooters may be ridden only in designated trial sites, with a helmet, no passengers, and speed limits of 10 km/h on shared paths and 20 km/h on roads and bicycle lanes. The Government has published draft rules to legalise private e-scooters, but they are not in force.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Use on public roadsPrivately owned | Not allowed [1] |
| Use on public roadsRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | Only approved models [2] |
| Driving licenceRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | No driver licence is needed to ride a shared e-scooter. [3] |
| Minimum ageRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | 16 years [3] |
| Helmet requiredRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | Yes [2] |
| Insurance requiredRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | No [3] |
| Plate or stickerRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maximum speedRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | up to 20 km/h (design speed) [2] |
| Where to ridePrivately owned | Privately owned e-scooters may not be ridden on footpaths, shared paths, shared zones, bicycle paths, bicycle lanes or roads. [4] |
| Where to rideRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | Designated bicycle lanes and paths, shared paths and roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less. Not on footpaths. 10 km/h on shared paths and shared zones, 20 km/h on roads and bicycle lanes. [2] |
| Passengers allowedRental; Designated shared e-scooter trial sites (for example Wollongong until 22 January 2027) | No [2] |
Notes
- It is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter in public places in NSW. The Government has published draft rules for legalising them, but no final rules had been made when this was read.
- Only shared (hire) e-scooters inside designated trial sites; privately owned e-scooters remain illegal even inside trial sites.
- Shared e-scooter scheme operators must hold appropriate insurance cover for their devices; personal insurance for the rider is not a trial requirement.
- The device is limited to 10 km/h on shared paths and shared zones and 20 km/h on roads and bicycle lanes.
Sources
- Transport for NSW: Legalising e-scooter riding in public places | NSW Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- NSW Government: About riding shared e-bikes and e-scooters | NSW Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Transport for NSW: E-scooters | Transport for NSW (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
- NSW Government: Where to ride bicycles, e-bikes and other wheeled devices in NSW | NSW Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in New South Wales
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Return and Earn · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Any trace is an offence · THC threshold: Any active THC
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules · Minimum age: None at present (12-16 planned)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence needed)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, up to 6 months as a temporary visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: NSW licence within 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: Auto-opening knives prohibited
- 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: Cradle only, touch limited; L/P: none
- 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, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: At least one working smoke alarm complying with Australian Standard 3786 on each level of the premises.
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- 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: Under 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.