E-scooter rules in Queensland (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: E-scooters may be ridden on footpaths, shared paths and roads of 60 km/h or less, with a helmet, no passengers and a device limited to 25 km/h. From 31 August 2026 riders must be 16 or over and hold at least a learner licence, with exemptions for supervised riders aged 12 to 17, medical reasons and recreational areas. Footpaths have a 12 km/h limit.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Use on public roads | Allowed [1] |
| Driving licence | A valid driver licence, at least a learner licence (Queensland, interstate or overseas equivalent), from 31 August 2026. Exemptions: supervised riders aged 12 to 17, medical exemptions, and designated recreational areas. [1] |
| Minimum age | 16 years [1] |
| Helmet required | Yes [1] |
| Insurance required | No [2] |
| Plate or sticker | No registration is needed to ride a legal personal mobility device. [2] |
| Maximum speed | up to 25 km/h (design speed) [1] |
| Where to ride | Footpaths (12 km/h at all times); shared paths (signed limit, never above 25 km/h, and 12 km/h when passing pedestrians; the bike side of a separated path); roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, including bike lanes (25 km/h maximum). [1] |
| Passengers allowed | No [1] |
Notes
- Includes the age and licence rules that took effect on 31 August 2026.
- Exemptions: supervised riders aged 12 to 17 (a parent or caregiver close enough to instruct), people aged 16 or over with a medical or disability exemption, and designated recreational areas such as rail trails.
- The page says riders do not 'currently' need registration or insurance for a legal personal mobility device.
- Devices bought before 1 July 2026 have until 28 February 2027 to be limited to 25 km/h; after that an unlimited device is illegal.
Sources
- Queensland Government (Department of Transport and Main Roads, StreetSmarts): E-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles | StreetSmarts - Queensland Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Rules for personal mobility devices - qld.gov.au (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Queensland
- 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 (110 km/h where signed)
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · 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): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland 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: Some one-hand opening knives category M
- MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
- 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: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: 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: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Towing trailers and caravans
- 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.