Queensland's e-scooter rules are changing in 2026
Queensland tightened its e-scooter rules in 2026 in two stages. From 1 July, the footpath and near-pedestrian speed cap dropped to 12 km/h. From 31 August, riders will need to be at least 16 and hold at least a learner permit. The 25 km/h device ceiling and Queensland's broad where-you-can-ride rules haven't changed.
Last reviewed 16 Jul 2026
Man wearing a helmet riding an electric scooter in a Queensland city street. Photo for illustration.
Key points
- From 1 July 2026, e-scooters (and other personal mobility devices) are capped at 12 km/h on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths, down from the previous limit.
- The 25 km/h cap on bike paths, shared paths and roads with a speed limit up to 60 km/h is unchanged, and the device itself must still not be able to exceed 25 km/h to be legal at all.
- From 31 August 2026, riders will need to be at least 16 and hold at least a learner driver permit, a first for Australian e-scooter law. Exemptions are being developed for supervised riders aged 12 to 17.
- Queensland Police can issue on the spot fines of more than $500 for exceeding the speed cap.
- Queensland is still one of the more permissive states on where you can ride, footpaths, shared paths, bike paths and some local roads all remain open, unlike NSW and the NT.
Queensland has run the most permissive e-scooter rules of any mainland state, footpaths, shared paths, bike paths and some local roads have all been open to private e-scooters. That access hasn't changed. What has changed is how fast you can go near pedestrians, and, from the end of August, who's allowed to ride at all.
The 12 km/h footpath cap (from 1 July 2026)
Queensland Government StreetSmarts confirms the footpath and near-pedestrian speed cap for e-scooters, e-bikes and other personal mobility devices dropped to 12 km/h from 1 July 2026. This applies specifically to footpaths and to shared paths when you're passing pedestrians. Away from pedestrians, on bike paths, on shared paths generally, and on roads with a speed limit up to 60 km/h, the cap remains 25 km/h, and the device's own top speed still can't exceed that 25 km/h ceiling to be in the legal class at all.
A learner-permit style requirement (from 31 August 2026)
The bigger change is riders will soon need more than just an eligible device. From 31 August 2026, Queensland requires riders to be at least 16 years old and hold at least a learner driver permit to ride a personal mobility device. This is a first among Australian jurisdictions, every other state and territory currently requires only a minimum age, not a permit or licence of any kind. The Queensland Government is still finalising exemptions for supervised riders aged 12 to 17 and other specific cases, full detail is expected closer to the start date.
What hasn't changed
The device rules that decide whether a scooter is legal to buy for Queensland riding are the same as before: it must be able to be limited to 25 km/h, and Queensland still allows riding on footpaths (subject to the new speed cap), shared paths, bike paths and some local roads. If you're shopping for a scooter to ride in Queensland, look for one that's genuinely limitable to the national 25 km/h ceiling, such as the Segway Ninebot Max G2 or Inokim Light 2, and see our guide on how to limit your e-scooter to 25 km/h for what to check before you buy.
What to check before you ride in Queensland
| Rule | Before | From 1 July 2026 | From 31 August 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footpath / near pedestrian speed | Higher cap | 12 km/h | 12 km/h |
| Bike path, shared path, permitted road speed | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Device speed ceiling | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Minimum requirement to ride | Age only | Age only | Age 16+ and at least a learner permit |
Sourced from Queensland Government StreetSmarts and ministerial statements, checked 16 July 2026. For the full current rule set alongside the other seven states and territories, see our full state-by-state e-scooter law guide and e-scooter laws in Queensland.
Queensland hasn't closed the door on private e-scooters the way NSW and the NT have, it's just added a speed limit near pedestrians and, soon, an age and permit check at the point of riding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new speed limit for e-scooters in Queensland?
From 1 July 2026, the cap on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths dropped to 12 km/h. The 25 km/h cap on bike paths, shared paths and roads with a limit up to 60 km/h hasn't changed, and the device itself still can't exceed 25 km/h nationally.
Do you need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Queensland?
Not yet. From 31 August 2026, riders will need to be at least 16 and hold at least a learner driver permit. Exemptions are being developed for supervised riders aged 12 to 17 and other cases, with full details due closer to that date.
When do the new Queensland e-scooter laws start?
In two stages: the 12 km/h footpath speed cap started 1 July 2026, and the learner-permit style licensing requirement starts 31 August 2026.
What happens if you break the e-scooter rules in Queensland?
Queensland Police can issue on the spot fines of more than $500 for riding a personal mobility device over the speed cap, on top of existing helmet and general road rule offences.
Sources
- Queensland Government StreetSmarts: E-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles (checked 16 Jul 2026)
- Queensland Government StreetSmarts: Get the facts (PMD rules) (checked 16 Jul 2026)
- Queensland Government: Rules for personal mobility devices (checked 16 Jul 2026)
- Queensland Government: Ministerial statement, nation-leading e-mobility laws to make Queensland safer (checked 16 Jul 2026)
- Queensland Government: Ministerial statement, nation-leading e-mobility laws delivered (checked 16 Jul 2026)