In 2025, with the rise in popularity of e-scooters, many changes were made to the law to regulate the use of e-scooters. July 2025 to July 2026 is a trial period for new e-scooter laws, and the State Government will review the operation of the rules in July 2026.
E-scooters are not considered ‘motor vehicles’ within the definition of the Road Traffic Act and instead come under the banner of ‘Personal Mobility Device’ (PMD). They have specific rules attached to their use. Many of the rules and regulations for bicycles also now apply to PMDs.
Here are a few of the important rules to remember regarding PMDs and their use:
- Must be aged 16 years or over
- Must wear a helmet
- Must use front and rear lights if riding at night
- Must park responsibly (not disrupting pedestrians or pose a safety hazard)
- Must stick to approved areas if using a hired e-scooter
- Must not have a passenger
- Must not use your phone while riding.
You can now ride a PMD in a bicycle lane or to the left of the road (if no bicycle lane), but only where the speed limit on that stretch of road is no greater than 50kmph. If the speed limit is 60kmph, then you must ride your e-scooter in the bicycle lane (including adhering to lane times).
If you are riding an e-scooter on the footpath, a shared path, or a road crossing, the maximum speed limit is 10kmph. But if you are riding on a separated bicycle path or bicycle lane, the maximum speed limit is 25kmph.
The penalties for breaching e-scooter rules can be significant – the maximum penalty for speeding on a PMD is a $2,500.00 fine!
The takeaway message is to be careful whilst riding your e-scooter. E-scooters are now heavily regulated and you can commit various offences without meaning to. It is important to know the rules and to comply with them.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has put out a helpful guide to all things PMD and Road Rules related. See it here: https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/roadrules/personal-mobility-devices
