Hoverboards, Segways and other motorised personal mobility devices
Find out the laws around using hoverboards, segways and other motorised personal mobility devices.
What is a motorised personal mobility device?
Motorised personal mobility devices are defined as motor vehicles*. In most cases these devices don’t meet the Australian Design Rules (ADR) or standards for registration, so they can’t be used on roads or footpaths.
*Unless specifically exempted under the Road Safety Act (1986).
They typically have:
- a self-balancing, gyroscopic-stabilised system
- a single wheel, or wheels in a side-by-side configuration.
Motorised personal mobility devices can include:
- Segways (currently allowed if they are being used as part of the Segway tourism trial)
- vehicles referred to as hoverboards
- YikeBikes
- Monowheels
- Solowheels
- other self-balancing motorised devices.
Please note: motorised scooters are not defined as motorised personal mobility devices. Find out the rules around motorised scooters here.
Where can I use my device?
On private property
You can use your motorised personal mobility device on private property so long as you have permission from the land owner.
Why can't I use my device on the road?
Motorised personal mobility devices are defined as motor vehicles. This means they need to meet all Victorian registration and licensing requirements to be used on roads, footpaths or road-related areas, including displaying a vehicle identification plate (a mark of compliance with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 including the Australian Design Rules).
If your device isn’t fitted with an appropriate vehicle identification plate it doesn’t meet the Australian Design Rules (ADR) or standards for registration, so it can’t be registered or legally used on public roads, footpaths or road-related areas.
