Queensland's e-scooter licence rule is live, and police are enforcing it
Queensland's licence rule for e-scooter riders took effect on 31 August 2026, and it arrived in the middle of a statewide police operation. By the end of August, officers had seized nearly 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and issued 1,747 traffic fines. Here is what is now enforced, who is exempt, and what it means for parents of teenage riders.
Last reviewed 26 Sep 2026
Commuter wearing a helmet riding an electric scooter past an office building. Photo for illustration.
Key points
- Since 31 August 2026, unsupervised e-scooter riders in Queensland must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence. Interstate and overseas licences are accepted.
- Police operation Yankee Surety has seized nearly 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and issued 1,747 traffic infringement notices since 1 July.
- Riders under 16, and unlicensed 16 and 17 year olds, can still ride when supervised by a parent or caregiver.
- Parents can now be fined if a child under 16 rides illegally.
- The licence rule sits on top of July's changes: a 12 km/h cap on footpaths and shared paths, random breath testing, and police powers to seize and destroy illegal devices.
Queensland's licence requirement for e-scooter riders is no longer a date on a calendar. It took effect on 31 August 2026, and the state government announced it alongside fresh numbers from Operation Yankee Surety, the police operation that has been running since new e-mobility laws began on 1 July.
The numbers so far
In a joint statement on 30 August, Police Minister Dan Purdie and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said police had seized nearly 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and issued 1,747 traffic infringement notices under the operation. That is a sharp rise on the first month, when police reported 249 illegal devices seized and 991 infringement notices. Police have also flagged that the operation continues now the licence rule is in force.
What the licence rule requires
To ride an e-scooter, e-skateboard or other personal mobility device unsupervised on Queensland paths and roads, you must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver licence, with a learner licence as the minimum. Licences from other Australian states and recognised overseas licences are accepted. The full detail of who needs what is in our explainer, do you need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Queensland.
Who is exempt
There are three main exemptions. Riders under 16, and 16 or 17 year olds without a licence, can ride when a parent or caregiver is supervising them. No age or licence rule applies on rail trails, mountain bike trails or private recreational bicycle facilities. Riders aged 16 and over with a medical or disability reason can apply for an exemption using the E-Mobility Driver Licence Exemption form (F5464), signed by a health professional, and must carry it when riding.
What parents need to know
The rule change also reaches parents. The government has confirmed parents can be fined if a child under 16 rides illegally. If you are buying a scooter for a teenager in Queensland, plan on supervised riding until they turn 16 and get their learner licence, and make sure the device itself is legal. A scooter that can go faster than 25 km/h is exactly what police are seizing.
The rest of Queensland's rules
The licence rule is the second stage of the reforms. The first stage, from 1 July 2026, set a 12 km/h limit on footpaths and shared paths, kept a 25 km/h limit on bike paths and roads signed at 60 km/h or less, introduced random breath testing at 0.05 BAC, and gave police the power to seize and destroy illegal devices. Helmets remain compulsory, and holding a phone while riding is illegal. Our Queensland e-scooter law guide has every rule in one place, and our story on breath testing and seizure powers covers what police can do at the roadside.
How to stay on the right side of it
Check that your scooter is limited to 25 km/h, carry your licence, wear a fastened helmet and slow to 12 km/h on footpaths and shared paths. If you are shopping, filter the ScootFinder directory for legal-class scooters, and read how to limit an e-scooter to 25 km/h if yours has an unlocked mode.
Law updates, new models and buying guides for Australian e-scooter riders, straight to your inbox.
The licence rule is simple: 16, licensed, helmet on. Everything else in Queensland's crackdown is about the devices that were never legal in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
When did Queensland's e-scooter licence rule start?
On 31 August 2026. Since then, unsupervised riders of e-scooters and other personal mobility devices must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence.
How many e-scooters have Queensland police seized?
The Queensland Government reported on 30 August 2026 that police had seized nearly 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and issued 1,747 traffic infringement notices under Operation Yankee Surety since 1 July.
Can a 14 year old ride an e-scooter in Queensland?
Only when supervised by a parent or caregiver, or on a rail trail, mountain bike trail or private recreational bicycle facility. Unsupervised riding on paths and roads requires the rider to be 16 and licensed.
Can parents be fined if their child rides an e-scooter illegally in Queensland?
Yes. The Queensland Government has confirmed parents face fines if children under 16 ride illegally.
Is an interstate licence accepted for riding an e-scooter in Queensland?
Yes. Interstate and recognised international licences meet the minimum licence requirement.
Sources
- Queensland Government ministerial statement: New e-bike and e-scooter laws start as enforcement ramps up (30 August 2026) (checked 26 Sep 2026)
- Queensland Government: Rules for personal mobility devices (checked 26 Sep 2026)
- SBS News: What the upcoming nationwide e-bike crackdown means for you (checked 26 Sep 2026)