E-scooter trial laws and road rules

The Adelaide city e-scooter trial includes the CBD and North Adelaide as shown in the map below.

Click the maps below for larger versions.

Visit City of Adelaide's website to find information about the trial.

Users should note that additional restricted areas of use may be applicable, including:

• North Adelaide golf courses
• The Adelaide Botanic Garden
• The Adelaide Zoo.

Restricted areas may also appear on event days at and around the Adelaide Oval and for other major events.

For more information about restricted areas or ‘go slow’ areas:

• visit the City of Adelaide
• contact the two currently permitted operators.

E-scooters are now permitted to be used within the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters. The only e-scooters allowed to be used in the trial area are those operating subject to a business permit issued by City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters.

Click the maps below for larger versions.

Users should note that e-scooter use is primarily permitted on footpaths and shared paths. A speed restriction of 10km/h is in force along footpaths adjacent to State Controlled roads within the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, such as:

• Dequetteville Terrace
• Hackney Road
• Kensington Road
• The Parade
• Fullarton Road
• Flinders Street
• Rundle Street
• North Terrace
• Portrush Road
• Lower Portrush Road
• Magill Road
• Payneham Road
• Nelson Street
• O.G. Road
• Glynburn Road
• Stephen Terrace

Additional restricted areas of use may be applicable, including certain parts of The Parade.

For more information about restricted areas or ‘go slow’ areas:

• visit the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters
• contact the two currently permitted operators.

The only e-scooters allowed to be used in the trial areas are those operating subject to a business permit issued by the relevant local city council. For more information about each trial, please refer to above detail.

Riders:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must wear an approved bike helmet that is securely fitted
• May ride on footpaths and shared paths unless otherwise prohibited
• May ride on a road only when crossing or to avoid an obstruction for up to 50m. If road travel is required, riders:
  • Must travel less than 50m along the road to avoid the obstruction;
  • Must keep as far to the left as possible; and
  • Must obey any traffic signals.
• Must NOT ride on a road:
  • with a dividing line or median strip
  • where the speed limit is greater than 50 km/h
  • which is one-way with more than 1 marked lane
  • if otherwise prohibited
• Must not ride in a bike lane or bus lane
• Must use a warning (e.g. bell, horn or verbal) to avert danger
• Must have proper control at all times and ride with due care and reasonable consideration for other persons
• Must use a flashing or steady white light at the front and a flashing red light and reflector at the back of the device when riding at night or in hazardous conditions
• Must not exceed 15km/h or a lesser speed if required in the circumstances to stop safely to avert danger
• Must not ride abreast
• Must not carry passengers
• Must not have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.05 or more or the presence of THC (Cannabis), Methylamphetamine (Speed) or MDMA (Ecstasy) in their blood or oral saliva
• Must not use a mobile phone whilst riding
• Must not carry scooters on public transport

* An additional $99 Victims of Crime Levy applies. Other road rules and laws may apply.

Severe penalties apply to drivers who commit drink and drug driving offences in South Australia. Penalties may include fines, licence disqualification, demerit points and even imprisonment in some cases. Learn more about road rules, offences and penalties.

What is an e-scooter?

An e-scooter is a two-wheeled device powered by an electric motor and battery pack. E-scooters must have a braking system and warning device and lights must be used if ridden at night. They are lightweight and designed for use by one person only, standing up.

For the purposes of this trial, the devices are being defined in South Australian regulations as Electric Personal Transporters.

E-scooters do not include:

• motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters (Gophers) typically used by people with mobility difficulties
• moped scooters with internal combustion engines
• electric bicycles and Pedelecs
• kick scooters.

Do I need a driver’s licence?

You do not need a driver’s licence or learner's permit to participate in these trials. These trials are limited to the Adelaide CBD and North Adelaide.

Note that some road rules and laws may impose penalties on a driver’s licence or learner’s permit including demerit points, licence disqualification.

Can I ride my own e-scooter?

Under the current trials, you can only ride your privately owned e-scooter on private property; not on roads, footpaths or other public spaces. Otherwise, you may use the e-scooters owned by the operators permitted in each trial, as per applicable rules and restrictions.

If you are caught riding an e-scooter that's not approved for this trial, you may be fined $1500 for driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle. Learn more about motorised wheeled recreational devices on SA.GOV.AU.

What will happen after the trial?

The relevant local city councils participating in each of the trials will monitor and evaluate the trials. Any further consideration of expanding use outside of the current trials will be considered pending outcomes.

Outcomes of the approved e-scooter trials will help inform the development of a future regulatory framework for e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs).

State and Territory Transport Ministers have agreed to recognise PMDs in the Australian Road Rules (ARRs). This provides a nationally consistent basis for states and territories to begin to legalise these devices for use on public infrastructure. Learn more about the NTC’s work in this area.

What happens if there is a crash involving an e-scooter involved in the trial?

The rider must give all possible assistance to anyone injured and report the incident to Police.

If you are involved in a collision while riding an e-scooter, you should contact the operator:

• Find Adelaide and North Adelaide operator information on the City of Adelaide website.
• Find the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters operator information on the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters website.

The permitted operators are required to hold public liability insurance.

If you are involved in a collision between a car and an electric scooter, you may be covered by the CTP insurance associated with the vehicle if the vehicle is at fault. For more information, call the CTP Regulator on 1300 303 558 or visit www.ctp.sa.gov.au.

It is an offence to ride a privately owned e-scooter or one owned by an operator without a permit.

Can I take an e-scooter on public transport?

E-scooters are not allowed on buses, trams or trains. E-scooters are not to be taken outside the trial areas.

What are the benefits of these types of vehicles?

E-scooters can be a low cost, attractive and convenient travel option for people wanting minimal exertion. They are compact and portable – taking up less parking or storage space than a bike.

Other potential benefits may include:

• increased travel independence for users
• an alternative to the motor vehicle for greater mobility choice
• environmental benefits, such as reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
• reduced noise.