Can I lose my driver’s licence for an e-scooter offence?
E-scooters and e-bikes are a nifty and quick way to get around in the city or suburban streets.
However, there are rules you need to follow when riding personal mobility devices like e-scooter, e-skateboards and e-solo wheels.
Break the e-scooter rules and there are some hefty consequences. According to the SA Government’s My Licence website, personal mobility device users who break the road rules could be fined up to $2500 and receive demerit points. If the e-scooter user accrues 12 points over a three-year period, they could lose their driver’s licence.
South Australians breaking e-scooter rules
Many South Australians are confused about e-scooter laws, with new RAA research revealing eight in 10 respondents don’t know the speed limits on the road (25km/h). The survey also found that 85 per cent of people don’t know the e-scooter speed limit on the footpath is 10km/h.
More than three quarters of people surveyed were unaware that 16 is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in a public area.
E-scooter riders at risk
In 2025, one person was killed and another 63 injured in e-scooter crashes, according to SA police figures.
RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says the survey results reveal a significant knowledge gap that poses a real safety risk to riders and pedestrians.
“RAA is concerned about people buying and riding e-scooters – including parents buying them for their children – without knowing the laws that exist to protect them,” Charles says.
“E-scooters can be a convenient way for people to get around and complete short trips, but riders need to know the rules to keep themselves and others safe.”
“By understanding the laws and riding responsibly, South Australians can enjoy the benefits of e-scooters while keeping themselves safe and our footpaths and roads safe for everyone.”
The other ways you can lose your licence without driving
Breaking the rules on an e-scooter isn’t the only non-driving related offence that can lead to losing your licence. Here are a few other ways you could have your licence disqualified.
Breaking the road rules: Riding a bike doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the road rules. In fact, cyclists can get fines and demerit points for a range of infringements. For example, if you’re caught riding a bicycle while under the influence, you could be fined up to $500 and accrue up to six demerit points on your driver’s licence.
Graffiti: Those graffiti tags or ‘artwork’ might seem harmless, but they could result in severe consequences. You might even lose your licence. Vandals busted marking graffiti on multiple occasions could lose their driver’s licence for up to six months and get a fine of up to $5000 or even a 12-month prison sentence.
Unpaid fines or state debts: If you have unpaid fines or state debts, you might want to pay them sooner rather than later. You could have your licence suspended if overdue fines remain unpaid, and you won’t be allowed to drive a vehicle or supervise a learner driver.
A licence suspension is different to a disqualification and can occur regardless of the number of demerit points you have accrued. If your licence is suspended, for this reason, you’ll need to pay your fines in full to have it reinstated.
Passengers without seatbelts: If a passenger is caught not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, the driver can be fined $448 plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and receive three demerit points. If there’s more than one passenger not wearing the correct seatbelt or restraint, the driver can be fined $530, plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and five demerit points.
It’s not only the driver who could be in strife if passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts. Passengers over the age of 16 who fail to buckle up will receive a $448 fine, $105 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points. If they have a learners permit or provisional licence, they’ll only need one more demerit point before they have their licence disqualified.