Every law e-scooter users need to know ahead of legalisation
Australia is about to completely legalise e-scooters in almost every state and territory.
However, the legalisation of the vehicles means penalties and fines for those found to be doing the wrong thing.
Click through to see which states have the harshest penalties and the laws e-scooter users should be aware of.
New South Wales
In NSW, e-scooter riders caught riding without a helmet are up for a $344 fine.
People caught riding private e-scooters in public spaces without a license will face a $572 fine, or a whopping $3000 fine for driving while on a suspended license.
There's also a $686 fine for using an unregistered or uninsured vehicle with unpaid tax.
It is still illegal to ride a privately-owned e-scooter in public spaces in NSW.
Australian Capital Territory
E-scooter fines in the ACT are some of the highest in the country.
Riders will cop a $2200 fine for riding on the road if there's a footpath on the street.
The same penalty applies for riders caught speeding over 15km/h on footpaths or over 25km/h on a shared road.
Its also a $2200 fine for riding at night or in hazardous weather conditions.
Victoria
In Victoria, fines can reach up to $988 for riding a non-compliant e-scooter that can travel more than 25km/h.
There is also a $395 fine for failing to wear a helmet, a $296 fine for riding on the footpath or riding a bike while under 16 years old.
A $247 penalty applies to carrying another person on the scooter, while riding on a road with a speed limit greater than 60km/h and riding alongside another e-scooter will cost you $198.
Riding an e-scooter while drinking will cost riders a $395 fine and travelling over 20km/h will come with a $346 fine.
It's a nearly $600 fine for using a phone while riding and an almost $500 fine for failing to obey traffic lights.
Queensland
In Queensland, e-scooter riders will be slapped with a $575 fine for speeding.
Using a phone while riding can land e-scooter users a maximum fine of $1078.
A $143 fine will be issued for riding without a helmet or for riding two scooters at once.
Riding on a prohibited road will result in a $173 fine.
South Australia
South Australia have the biggest fines in the country for e-scooter riders found doing the wrong thing.
Riders will be slapped with a $2500 penalty for several offences including riding at speed exceeding 15km/h and not wearing a helmet.
It also applies to people riding an e-scooter while being under 18 years of age, riding next to another scooter or skateboard, and failing to warn a pedestrian with a bell, horn or other warning device.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, e-scooter riders will be hit with a $100 fine for traveling over 10km/h on a footpath, riding recklessly or riding while impaired.
The same penalty will apply to people riding less than two metres behind a vehicle as well as other road offences, like failure to indicate/warn other drivers or riders.
A $500 fine will be issued to riders found to be exceeding speeds of 70km/h.
Riders caught without a helmet will be hit with a $50 penalty.
The same fine applies to riders under 16 years old, carrying a passenger or animal and riding without at least one hand on the handlebars.
It also applies to other offences like failing to keep left, failing to give way to pedestrians and riding in a "no bicycles" area.
Using a mobile phone while driving will land the e-scooter rider a $500-$1000 fine.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, riders can receive a $1010 fine for speeding over 15km/h on footpaths or 25km/h on shared roads.
Its another $404 fine for riding without a helmet.
Northern Territory
In the NT, private e-scooters are not allowed on roads.
Publicly available Beam scooters are allowed to be used if the rider is over 18 and they must be wearing a helmet.
Fines could span between $100- $500 for riding without a helmet or using a mobile phone while riding.
There are no specific penalties for
e-scooters, rather, the laws apply to all road-worthy vehicles.
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