Children under 16 banned from driving e-mobility devices in Queensland

March 24, 2026

Sydney: (AP) — Children under 16 will be banned from driving electric mobility devices in the Australian state of Queensland under new safety laws announced on Tuesday.

The Queensland government said it has accepted or agreed in principle to all 28 recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into e-mobility safety, including a ban on those under 16.

New licensing and safety rules to be implemented
Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the government will soon introduce new legislation to Parliament to implement these recommendations.

Under the new rules, e-bikes and e-scooters will be required to have at least a Queensland learner’s license, with a minimum age of 16, to ensure they are familiar with road rules.

A parliamentary inquiry found that 12 people died and 6,300 were injured in e-mobility-related accidents in Queensland in 2025.

“We are removing children under the age of 16 from these devices because their safety is paramount,” Mickelberg said.

Stricter regulations and speed limits implemented
Under the new laws, the maximum speed for e-mobility devices on footpaths will be set at 10 km/h. Police will also be given additional powers to seize and destroy illegal devices and conduct random breath tests on riders.

References to other safety measures
Last year, Australia implemented a social media ban for children under 16, with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X blocking children’s accounts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was to protect children from the pressures of social media and advised students to use their holidays wisely.

Australia’s decision has attracted international interest, with countries such as Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, and New Zealand also considering similar measures.