Do you need a licence for a scooter?

With a focus on fuel consumption in recent years, scooters and mopeds are slowly becoming ideal transport options for everyday Australians. 

In 2023, only 0.8% of Australian commuters rode a motorcycle or a scooter to work during the previous 12 months [1]. Similarly, census data (published in 2022) shows that only 0.4% of Australians travelled to work on a motorcycle or scooter on Tuesday, 10 August 2021. [2]

In September, a 9% increase in scooter sales (compared to 2022) indicates there may be more interest in motorcycles, scooters and mopeds as a way to reduce fuel consumption in light of changes in the cost of living and rising interest rates. [3]  

With all that in mind, this may lead to more Australians researching different transport options and wanting to find out which licences they need to ride a scooter or a moped.

To help answer your questions, we’ve outlined the differences between scooters and mopeds and identified which states require licences below.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, scooters and mopeds are considered motorcycles and are defined as “two and three-wheeled motor vehicles constructed primarily to carry one or two people”. [4]

And this is where there can be some confusion.  

While ‘scooter’ and ‘moped’ are often used to describe the same type of vehicle, there are some differences between these two types of motorcycles.  

Scooters have an engine of 50cc or more and can reach speeds of 80 to 90 km/h, depending on the riding terrain. [5]

Scooters have a heavier frame than mopeds and are suited to riding short distances where traffic isn’t as congested.

Electric scooters, or e-scooters as they’re also known, are rising in popularity and are a great way for commuters to travel shorter distances quickly, especially in city centres. 

Keep in mind that you must wear an approved safety helmet and abide by your state or territory rules when riding an electric scooter.

Mopeds are propelled by a motor or an internal combustion engine of up to 50cc. They are lightweight, manoeuvrable and can reach speeds up to 50 km/h. 

When riding a moped, you should avoid high-speed roads (such as motorways) and other areas where you ride faster than 50 km/h. 

Otherwise, you might experience road rage from other motorists, especially if you’re holding up traffic. Depending on your state or territory, you may be subject to a fine for disrupting traffic, especially when you travel below the speed limit.

You need a full motorcycle licence to ride a scooter (also known as a motor scooter) across all Australian states and territories. 

And you can legally ride mopeds using a car licence in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. And if you ride a moped in Queensland (using a C class licence), you must not carry a passenger.  

While you don’t need a licence to ride an e-scooter, you should still follow electric scooter laws in Australia.

You can ride a moped once you receive a learner’s permit in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia after passing a riding test. While in the Northern Territory, you can ride a moped if you hold a current learner driver’s licence from before 1 August 2019. 

However, learner drivers in the ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria are not permitted to ride a moped.

Yes, you will need insurance to ride a scooter, moped or any other vehicle that’s considered a motorcycle.

While it may have a different name in several states, Compulsory Third Party Insurance (also known as CTP Insurance) is mandatory for all riders across Australia. 

Here’s what’s required in your state:

• ACT - Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance covers people injured in a motor vehicle accident - no matter who was at fault.
• NSW - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) Insurance / Green Slip covers the driver’s liability if they injured or caused the death of a person or people in a motor vehicle accident.
  If the accident happened in NSW then the cost of injuries caused by your vehicle to people in an accident (including the driver) is covered.    
• NT - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTPI) covers those who are injured or die as a result of a road accident.
  In this instance, you would be eligible to apply for the Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme (MAC)

• Qld - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) Insurance covers the at-fault driver against compensation claims from people injured in a motor vehicle accident.

• SA - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) Insurance covers you (and other people who use your vehicle) against the impacts of causing injury or death to other road users.  

• Tas - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) Insurance covers personal injury caused by a motorist’s negligence and compensation claims for eligible drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and road users regardless of who was at fault.
  These claims are managed by the Motor Accidents Insurance Board. 

• Vic - Transport Accident Charge (TAC) covers owners of Victorian motor vehicles for causing injury or death to another person using their vehicle.
  Once this charge is paid the rider of the Victorian registered vehicle is ‘insured’ by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

• WA - Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) Insurance covers the liability of owners and drivers of WA-registered vehicles for costs as a result of injury to another person in a motor accident. 

You can add an optional Personal Effects Cover to your Contents Insurance to protect your e-scooter. Personal Effects Cover (also known as Portable Contents Cover) protects personal belongings you take away from your home. 

Depending on the cost of your e-scooter, you’ll need to choose whether it’s an unspecified item (worth $1,000 or less) or a specified item (worth more than $1,000) as part of your policy.