Getting Around - Transport, E-scooters, E-bikes and Infringements Archives | Barwon Community Legal Service
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Getting Around - Transport, E-scooters, E-bikes and Infringements

Knowing the rules for public transport, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other vehicles helps you get around safely and avoid fines.

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Public transport in Victoria is enforced by authorised officers (ticket inspectors) and Protective Services Officers (PSOs), as well as police.

They have the power to check your ticket, ask for your name and address, and issue fines on the spot.

What you must do:

  • Tap on with a valid Myki card at the start of every trip.
  • Carry valid concession ID if you are travelling on a concession fare. Leaving it at home is not a valid excuse, you can still be fined even if you have a valid concession entitlement.
  • Give your name and address if asked by an authorised officer, PSO, or police officer. Refusing is an offence. Giving false details is also an offence.

Accepted concession evidence:

The only cards accepted as proof of concession entitlement are:

  • Health Care Card
  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Victorian Public Transport Student Concession Card
  • Victorian Seniors Card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold or White Card
  • A standard school ID or student card is not accepted as concession evidence.

Common offences on public transport:

  • Failing to produce a valid ticket
  • Failing to show valid concession ID when travelling on a concession fare
  • Offensive, threatening, disorderly or obscene language or behaviour
  • Placing feet on seats or furniture
  • Smoking on or near public transport

Authorised officers must identify themselves. You can ask who they are, and what authority they have to stop you.

When you receive an infringement notice it will tell you what offence you are accused of, how much the fine is, and when it must be paid.

Important: Do not ignore a fine. Unpaid fines escalate and attract additional costs. The sooner you act, the more options you have.

Your options:

  • Internal review – you can request a review of the infringement from the Department of Transport and Planning if you think the fine was wrong, or if your circumstances made it genuinely difficult to comply.
  • Payment plan – if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, you can apply for a payment plan through Fines Victoria.
  • Special circumstances – if you are experiencing hardship, mental health issues, family violence, or other significant difficulties, you may be able to apply for special circumstances consideration, which can reduce or waive the fine.
  • Work and Development Permit (WDP) – instead of paying, you may be able to complete approved activities such as volunteering, education, or counselling to discharge the fine.
  • Court election – you can elect to have the matter heard in court if you want to formally dispute the fine.

If you are under 18 – CAYPINS

Unpaid fines for under-18s are handled through the Children and Young Persons Infringement Notice System (CAYPINS), managed by the Children’s Court. This system is more flexible than the adult fines process.

  • A CAYPINS registrar can set up an instalment plan to pay off the fine over time.
  • The registrar can reduce the amount of the fine, or in some cases say you do not have to pay it.
  • You meet with the registrar rather than appearing before a magistrate – less formal and less intimidating.

CAYPINS helpline: 1300 787 715 – call for information about your specific fine.

E-scooters are legal in Victoria but there are strict rules. Breaking them can result in on-the-spot fines, your e-scooter being impounded, or, if you have a driver’s licence, an immediate licence ban.

Rules for all e-scooter riders:

  • Helmet: must be worn at all times. No exceptions.
  • No footpaths: e-scooters cannot be ridden on .
  • Speed limit: maximum 20km/h.
  • Where you can ride: bike lanes, shared paths, and roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less.
  • No passengers: carrying a passenger is illegal.
  • No mobile phone: using a phone while riding is an offence.
  • No alcohol or drugs: BAC limit is 0.05 for full licence holders; zero BAC for learner or probationary licence holders.
  • Minimum age: you must be 16 or older to ride.
  • Illegal e-scooters: E-scooters that exceed the legal speed or power specifications cannot be ridden on public roads at all. Check the Transport Victoria website before buying or riding a privately-owned device.

Pushbikes fitted with petrol motors – sometimes called ‘motorised bicycles’ or ‘engined pushbikes’ – are very common young people but are almost always illegal to ride on public roads in Victoria.

Why they are illegal: A bicycle fitted with a petrol engine or any motor exceeding the e-bike legal specifications (250W electric, cuts out at 25km/h) is no longer classified as a bicycle under Victorian law. It becomes an unregistered motor vehicle.

What this means if you are caught:

  • No registration: riding an unregistered motor vehicle on a public road – fines over $1,000.
  • No licence: riding a motor vehicle without a valid licence – fines and possible demerit points.
  • No insurance: unregistered vehicles have no TAC insurance coverage. If you injure someone or are injured yourself, there may be no compensation.
  • Police can impound the bike on the spot.

Important: These bikes are legal to ride only on private property. Riding one on a public road, footpath, nature strip, or any public land is a serious offence.

Trail bikes and dirt bikes are popular in regional and outer suburban areas but the rules about where you can ride them are strict, and the penalties for illegal riding are significant.

Where you can legally ride:

  • Private property: you can ride on private land with the owner’s permission. No licence or registration is required.
  • Public land – roads and 4WD tracks only: with the correct registration and licence, you can ride on open fire trails and roads designed for four-wheeled vehicles in state forests. You cannot ride on single tracks, walking trails, cycling trails, or off-road into natural areas.
  • Licensed off-road facilities: motocross tracks and approved facilities. Events through Motorcycling Victoria require a separate event licence.

What you cannot do:

  • Ride on any public road without registration and a valid motorcycle licence or learner permit
  • Ride on footpaths, bicycle paths, nature strips, or public parks
  • Ride on public land without appropriate registration – state forests, national parks, public reserves
  • Ride on single tracks in state forests (even if they appear to be established trails)
  • Ride in streams or along walking or cycling trails

Licences and registration for public land:

  • Standard motorcycle registration: required to ride on all public roads. Rider must be 18+ and hold a motorcycle licence or learner permit.
  • Recreation motorcycle registration: lower-cost option allowing riding in specific defined areas. Also requires 18+ and a licence or learner permit.
  • Motorcycle learner permit: you can apply for a motorcycle learner permit at age 18 (not 16 like car learners – this is a common misconception).

Penalties for illegal riding:

  • No licence: fine up to approximately $988, or up to approximately $11,855 if you challenge the infringement in court and lose.
  • Unregistered motorcycle: similar penalties to unlicensed riding.
  • No helmet: fine up to approximately $395, or up to approximately $1,976 if unsuccessfully challenged.
  • Riding on prohibited land: infringement notices issued by the Conservation Regulator.
  • Police can impound the bike.

Victoria uses a graduated licensing system designed to build skills progressively. The key age milestones for young people are:

  • Learner permit (L plates): you can apply from age 16. You must always have a fully licensed supervising driver with you. If you are under 21, you must hold your learner permit for at least 12 months and complete 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20 hours at night) before you can apply for a probationary licence.
  • Probationary licence – P1 (red P plates): available from age 18. Zero BAC required. Cannot carry more than one peer passenger (aged 16–22) unless they are an immediate family member. Cannot drive high-powered vehicles.
  • Probationary licence – P2 (green P plates): after 12 months on P1. Zero BAC still required. Passenger restrictions removed.
  • Full licence: after 3 years on P2 with a good driving record.

For all information about getting and keeping a driver’s licence in Victoria, see:


If you need urgent assistance or feel unsafe right now, call 000.

Legal advice: Do you think you may have a legal issue and would like advice? Free and confidential help is available.

Contact:

 

More support for this topic:

  • CAYPINS | 📞 1300 787 715 | 🌐 childrenscourt.vic.gov.au/criminal-division/fines
    Unpaid fines for under -18s are handled through the Children and Young Persons Infringement System (CAYPINS), managed by the Children’s Court. This system is more flexible than the adult fines process.

 

For all information about getting and keeping a driver’s licence in Victoria, see:

 

If you need to speak to someone urgently please call:

  • Lifeline (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 11 14 | 🌐  Webchat | 📱 Text 0477 131 114
    Crisis support and suicide prevention
  • 🖤💛❤️ 13YARN (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 92 76 | 🌐 13yarn.org.au/
    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line developed and run by community in partnership with Lifeline.
  • 🌈 Rainbow Door (10-5pm every day) | 📞 1800 729 367 | 📱 Text 0480 017 246 | 🌐 rainbowdoor.org.au/ 
    Free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families. 
  • Kids Helpline (Free 24/7) | 📞 1800 551 800 | 🌐 kidshelpline.com.au/
    Counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

 

Other helpful resources:

  • Ask Izzy | 🌐 askizzy.org.au
    FREE directory to find local housing, food, and support services near you
  • Quick Help Guide (BAT Force) | 🌐 batforce.org.au/quick-help-guide/
    A practical guide connecting you to support for food, housing, mental health, family violence, financial stress and tenancy.
  • YouthNav (Youth Central) | 🌐 youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav
    A life skills and information hub for young people aged 12 to 25 that helps build knowledge, confidence, and independence into adulthood.

Check out the videos, fact sheets and resources below for more information or try our Legal Health Check HERE