Motorised Scooters

Information for Scooter Users

Motorised scooters have become increasingly popular with older people. They provide mobility when other forms of transport are not available and can help with physical limitations such as arthritis.

  • You may use a scooter without a licence or registration provided the scooter weighs less than 110 kg and cannot travel faster than 10 Kmh.
  • In the ACT, a scooter user is considered to be a pedestrian and must abide by the road rules applying to pedestrians
  • If you take your scooter interstate be sure to check with authorities (e.g. in WA a scooter cannot travel faster than 7kmh). 
  • Not all paths are designed with scooters in mind, so plan your trip carefully. If you must leave a path and travel for a short distance on the road, ensure that there is a ramp to let you off the road when you need it. (There are several places in CIVIC, for example, where you can get down onto the road in one location, but have trouble finding a ramp to get up onto another footpath across the road, or further along.)
  • 'Multicab' taxis (wheelchair accessible) may not be able to transport a scooter safely. 
  • Not all scooters are the same - ensure you seek appropriate help in selecting the right scooter for your purposes. As a general rule 4-wheel scooters are more stable for outside usage, whereas 3-wheel scooters are more manoeuvrable inside.
  • You may need insurance to cover any accidental damage that could result from use of your scooter (accidents between scooters and other road users do occur!).

Important Consideration as a Potential Scooter User

  • If you are no longer able to drive, then ask whether you have the skills to use a scooter safely? Especially as most scooter journeys require you to at least cross the road. 
  • If you are not sure, then seek some independent advice. 

You can get help with scooters from:

The Independent Living Centre

Occupational Therapists

Scooter safe front cover

A Scooter Drivers Guide:
The Scooter Driver's Guide (296Kb pdf) is available by clicking the title here, or in paper form from COTA (ACT). This is a small booklet filled with important information for those new to using motorised scooters. People who have been using Scooter's for years have also found it useful.

 
scooter video front cover

There's Something About Scooters: A Scooter Safety Film

You can also obtain and watch the Video "There's Something About Scooters" available in ACT Public Libraries for loan, or purchase a copy from COTA .

Other Scooter Resources

Scooter Training Handbook
The Scooter Training Handbook (1Mb pdf) is a resource for people wishing to conduct courses training people in the safe use of motorised scooters.  It includes a program outline as well as copies of the overhead transparencies required.

Use of Electric Scooters and Wheelchairs in the ACT: Policy Implications & Recommendations
This policy document (360Kb pdf) analyses the implications of the use of Scooters in the ACT.  While it is particularly targeted at the ACT environment, much of the material discussed is very relevant to other jurisdictions.  Some of its conclusions and recommendations are somewhat controversial.  The document has been presented to the relevant ministers in the ACT Legislative Assembly, and we are awaiting a response from them to them.