Mobility scooters can absolutely transform the lives of people with mobility problems, giving you far more independence and freedom of movement.
It’s for this reason that many people who find they cannot move around very much on their own are keen to find out more about their options when it comes to scooters – including who can actually drive one.
Is this article, we’re answering all your questions on who is eligible to drive a mobility scooter and where.
Who Can Drive a Mobility Scooter?
You can drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair only if you have trouble walking because of an injury, medical condition or a physical disability.
Other exceptions are if you are training a disabled user, demonstrating the vehicle, or taking the scooter to or from repairs.
Do I need a Driving License to Drive a Mobility Scooter?
No, you don’t need a license to drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. However, you may need to register your vehicle for use and you should note that only certain types of mobility scooter may be driven on the road.
Who can drive on the road with a mobility scooter?
Only mobility scooters that are classed as a ‘class 3 invalid carriage’ may be driven on the road with a maximum speed of 8mph. You must be aged 14 or over to be able to drive a class 3 invalid carriage.
Though these scooters can be driven on the road, there are still some restrictions:
- You can’t drive on bus lanes, cycle only lanes, or motorways
- You should avoid dual carriageways with speed limits over 50mph
- Amber flashing lights are required if you do use your class 3 invalid carriage on a dual carriageway
How Do I Know If My Mobility Scooter Is A Class 3 Invalid Carriage?
You should be given this information when you first buy your mobility scooter, however, class 3 invalid carriages can be identified due to the following features:
- Max weight of 150 kg (unladen)
- A speed limit of 4mph
- A max speed of 8mph
- A max weight of 0.85metres
- Efficient braking
- Front and rear lights
- A horn
- Rear view mirror
- Direction indicators
If your mobility scooter does not have these features and you are caught driving on the road, you may be stopped and fined by the police.
Who can drive on footpaths?
All mobility scooters are allowed to drive on footpaths provided you are going at a maximum speed limit of 4pmh.
Mobility scooter users on footpaths should still be cautious of pedestrians and bicyclists as you pass them.
The Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme is set up to allow disabled people to lease a mobility scooter by exchanging your government-funded mobility allowance.
Mobility scooters are typically available on a three-year lease, meaning you lease the product from the Motability scheme and the correct payment is taken from your allowance every four weeks. Take a look at their website for more information.
When you get your mobility scooter, one of the most important things is to take proper care of it to ensure it reaches its full lifetime. Check out our maintenance tips here, and make sure you get your quote for our affordable mobility scooter insurance policies to protect you and your vehicle against accidents, theft and more.