SA Drivers Prepare For This Major Change

by Dylan Anderson

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Founder @ CarExplore

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July 14, 2025

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2 min read

From 13 July 2025, new regulations came into effect in South Australia allowing e-scooters, e-skateboards, e-bikes and other personal mobility devices on certain roads and paths.

Key Changes

Individuals aged 16 and over can now ride e-scooters and similar devices on footpaths, bike paths, many bike lanes, and certain roads.
No driver's licence or vehicle registration is required.
Riders must wear a helmet and use a flashing light in low light conditions.

Specific Rules

E-scooter riders are permitted on roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h but must use bike lanes and travel no faster than 25 km/h.
On footpaths, beaches and shared paths, e-scooters are limited to 10 km/h.
Other personal devices such as e-skateboards and e-solo-wheels can be used on roads with speed limits up to 50 km/h at speeds up to 25 km/h.
Riders cannot carry passengers, use mobile phones, or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Fines for serious breaches can reach up to $2,500.

Impact and Future Review

Over 1.3 million registered drivers in South Australia will now share the road with these devices.
The regulations are designed to reduce congestion and promote environmentally friendly travel options.
The State Government will review the operation of these new road rules in July 2026.
Currently, e-scooters and similar devices are not permitted on Adelaide Metro trains, trams or buses.

National Context

Other Australian states already allow personal electric devices, but incidents including fatalities in Western Australia and Queensland have led to increased scrutiny and rule tightening in some areas.
Authorities and medical professionals have raised concerns over the growing number of injuries linked to these devices.

These changes represent a significant shift in South Australia’s approach to personal electric transport, aiming to balance new mobility options with road safety.