While many e-scooter owners in the community are aware of the laws around their usage, Tasmania Police continue to come across some models which do not comply with regulations.
Police would like to advise that it is illegal to ride many e-scooter models on public roads and paths, making them only suitable for use on private property.
In Tasmania, an e-scooter (also known as a PMD - Personal Mobility Device), is a small, electrically powered device that is designed to transport one person over short to medium distances.
A device is a PMD if it is electrically powered and:
- has at least one wheel
- is less than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
- is less than 45kg
- is not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h
- is designed for use by one person.
The definition of a PMD aims to include a variety of micro-mobility technologies such as e-scooters, e-skateboards, self-balancing hoverboards and one-wheel devices.
Bicycles, motorised scooters, motorised wheelchairs, and wheeled recreational devices are not a PMD.
If you have a device that exceeds the PMD dimensions (125cm long, 70cm wide, 135 cm high or 45 kilograms in weight) or can go faster than 25km/h when powered by the motor on level ground, the device is a motor vehicle. Therefore, the device would not be a PMD, and would need to meet licensing and registration requirements. A motor vehicle must not be driven on public streets if it is not registered.
Further information can be found at www.transport.tas.gov.au
