E-Scooter Laws in WA 2026 — What You Can and Can't Ride
Electric scooters are legal in Western Australia, but the rules are more specific than most people realise. Whether you're buying a personal e-scooter, already own one, or considering a registered electric moped, this guide covers exactly what's allowed, where you can ride, and what's changed following WA's 2025 parliamentary inquiry.
Two Very Different Things: eRideables vs Electric Mopeds
Before getting into the rules, it's worth understanding that "electric scooter" covers two distinct categories in WA law, each treated completely differently.
| Category | What it is | Licence | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| eRideable | Personal e-scooter — the kind you push and step onto | None required | None required |
| Electric moped | Road-registered vehicle, ≤4000W, ≤50 km/h | Car licence or higher | Required |
| Electric motorcycle | Registered road vehicle above moped specs | Motorcycle licence (R-E minimum) | Required |
Most people asking about "e-scooter laws" mean eRideables. The rest of this article covers those. See our WA scooter and motorcycle licence guide for registered electric mopeds and motorcycles.
Is Your E-Scooter Legal? Device Requirements
To be used legally as an eRideable in WA, your device must meet all of the following:
| Spec | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed on level ground | 25 km/h |
| Maximum weight | 25 kg |
| Maximum length | 125 cm |
| Maximum width | 70 cm |
| Maximum height | 135 cm |
If your e-scooter exceeds any of these limits — particularly the 25 km/h top speed — it cannot be used legally as an eRideable under WA law. Many imported high-powered scooters fail this test.
What about tampered or modified scooters? Removing or bypassing speed limiters is illegal. A key recommendation from WA's 2025 parliamentary inquiry was to make device tampering a specific offence, and the government has indicated support for this.
Age Rules
- 16 and over: Can ride any compliant eRideable normally
- Under 16: Can only ride low-powered devices with a motor output of 200W or less, at a maximum motor-assisted speed of 10 km/h
Where You Can Ride
| Location | Allowed? | Max speed |
|---|---|---|
| Footpaths | Yes | 10 km/h |
| Pedestrian crossings | Yes | 10 km/h |
| Shared paths | Yes | 25 km/h |
| Bicycle paths | Yes | 25 km/h |
| Bicycle lanes (on roads ≤50 km/h) | Yes | 25 km/h |
| Roads without a dividing line, ≤50 km/h speed limit | Yes | 25 km/h |
| Roads with a centre dividing line | No | — |
| Roads with a speed limit above 50 km/h | No | — |
| Paths signed "no wheeled devices" | No | — |
| Paths signed "no bicycles" | No | — |
The dividing line rule is one that catches people out: even if a road has a 50 km/h speed limit, if it has a painted centre line dividing the carriageway, e-scooters are not permitted on it. Stick to footpaths, shared paths, and quiet residential streets.
The Rules While Riding
You must:
- Wear a helmet (bicycle, skateboard, or motorcycle helmet all accepted)
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times
- Use lights and reflectors when riding after dark
- Give way to pedestrians
- Keep left, except when overtaking
- Maintain a bell or audible warning device on the scooter
- Stay at least 2 metres from motor vehicles when possible
- Ride single file in groups
You must not:
- Carry passengers or animals
- Use a mobile phone while holding the device
- Ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs (the 0.05 BAC limit applies, same as driving)
- Attach yourself or the scooter to another moving vehicle
- Ride recklessly or without due care and attention
The 2025 Parliamentary Inquiry: What's Changing
In mid-2025, WA's Parliament launched a formal inquiry into eRideable and e-bike safety, triggered partly by a pedestrian fatality involving an e-scooter in Perth. The Community Development and Justice Standing Committee tabled the Ride Safe report in December 2025, with 33 recommendations.
The WA Government formally responded in early 2026, supporting 32 of the 33 recommendations.
Key changes expected or underway:
- Making device tampering (removing speed limiters) a specific offence
- Mandatory speed-limiting technology standards for devices sold in WA
- Tighter governance and safety requirements for hire e-scooter schemes
- New school and community education programs on safe riding
- Investment in separated cycling and riding infrastructure, particularly in Perth's CBD
- Better data collection on incidents involving eRideables
None of the supported recommendations change the core rules above — speed limits, where you can ride, and age requirements remain as they are. The reforms are primarily focused on enforcement, hire schemes, and device standards.
Hire E-Scooters (Shared Schemes)
Perth has shared e-scooter schemes operating in certain areas. These operate under the same rules as personal eRideables — same speed limits, same helmet requirement, same permitted locations. Hire scheme operators are expected to face more formal governance requirements under the new recommendations, including mandated speed-limiting technology and stricter operational standards.
Quick-Reference Summary
- Legal? Yes, for compliant devices
- Licence needed? No
- Registration needed? No
- Helmet? Yes, mandatory
- Minimum age? 16 (for motor-assisted riding at normal speeds)
- Max speed? 25 km/h (10 km/h on footpaths)
- Can I ride on roads? Only on roads with no dividing line and a speed limit of 50 km/h or less
- Can I ride on footpaths? Yes, at 10 km/h, giving way to pedestrians
- Drink riding? Illegal — same BAC limits as driving
Information based on Western Australia Road Safety Commission guidelines and Transport WA rules, current as of mid-2026. Refer to wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/erideables for official current rules.