Electric scooters and bikes

To use any electric scooter (e-scooter), you don’t need a driver licence or learner permit. But you must obey the law.

When you use any electric bike (e-bike), the rules for regular bicycles apply. Read about bicycle safety.

Legal limits in public spaces

All e-scooters and e-bikes ridden in public spaces must meet legal power and speed limits.

If you don't obey the law:

• you may be fined
• receive demerit points
• have your licence disqualified.

Rules for riding a Beam vehicle

In the Darwin area, you can use Beam Mobility Australia e-scooters and e-bikes in public places. Find out more on the City of Darwin website.

Beam e-scooters

To hire and ride an e-scooter, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• wear an approved bike helmet that is securely fitted
• only ride on footpaths and shared paths and bicycle lanes, unless prohibited
• keep to the left
• give way to pedestrians
• only travel on a road for less than 50m if:
  • there is an obstruction on a footpath, nature strip, or shared path
  • it is impracticable to travel on the adjacent area.

You must not:

• carry passengers or use a mobile phone
• have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 or more
• take it on public transport or outside of areas permitted by authorities.

Safety features include:

• a speed limit of 15 km/h
• an electronic warning bell
• front and rear lights, which must be working at night.

Beam e-bikes

When you use a Beam e-bike, the rules for regular bicycles apply. Read about bicycle safety.

Rules for riding your own e-scooter or e-bike

To ride your own e-scooter or e-bike in public spaces in the NT it must be:

• e-scooter - maximum 200 watts and speed limited to 10km/h
• e-bike - maximum 250 watts and speed limited to 25km/h.

Most e-scooters and some e-bikes sold for private use exceed these limits.

If your vehicle exceeds the limits, it is a non-complying motor vehicle and you can't ride it on roads, footpaths or other public spaces.

If you don't obey the law, you may be fined for driving an unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle.

Read about traffic offence fines and demerit points.

Report an issue

If a rider is breaking the law, refer the matter to the police.

To report a Beam vehicle or rider, submit a report on the Beam website. Include the registration number (if possible), details of the rider's behaviour, location and time.

For help with Beam vehicles, contact them:

• through the 'support' button of their app
• by calling their helpline 1300 507 676 (toll-free number)
• via email to teamsupportau@ridebeam.com.