With just one week remaining to respond, we are urging mobility scooter and powered wheelchair users to take part in the government consultation on the future of powered mobility devices.
The consultation, which closes at 11:59pm on 22 April 2026, is a rare opportunity for people who rely on these devices to help shape rules that affect their independence, safety and everyday lives.
Key Issues to Consider in Your Response
We encourage anyone who relies on a powered mobility device to share their own experiences as part of the consultation. Based on what we see through real-world incidents leading to claims, there are a number of common themes that may be helpful to reflect on.
1. Speed Restrictions
Many incidents occur when speed reduces reaction time or makes impacts more severe. We understand that there are real, everyday reasons why people need to travel at higher speeds.
However, because speed can reduce reaction times, we believe any increase should be considered only where the infrastructure genuinely supports it – well-maintained roads and pavements, free from hazards such as potholes and uneven surfaces.
We support a speed limit of 4mph on pavements, 8mph in higher-risk areas such as town centres and school zones, and 15.5mph on roads, bringing powered mobility devices in line with e-bikes.
2. Where Mobility Devices Are Allowed
Incidents frequently involve uneven surfaces, kerbs, potholes and poor crossings, highlighting the real challenges users face when navigating everyday environments. These challenges are made worse by unclear rules and inconsistent enforcement of those rules around newer devices such as e-scooters and we believe any updated framework should address enforcement for all powered devices, not mobility devices alone.
Currently, powered mobility devices are not permitted in cycle lanes. We support allowing access where it is safe to do so, and are calling for cycle lanes to be renamed ‘mobility lanes’, better reflecting how these spaces are used and improving safety awareness for all users.
3. Modernising Outdated Language in the Law
Under current legislation, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are still legally referred to as ‘invalid carriages’. We fully support the long-overdue change to recognise these devices as ‘mobility devices’ in law, which better reflects the dignity and independence they provide.
Updating the language in the law is a meaningful first step, but we also believe the Highway Code should be updated to include powered mobility device users in the hierarchy of road users, making their right to travel safely clear to everyone.
4. Passengers, Size and Age Restrictions
We support the ability to carry a passenger, provided the device is fitted with an appropriate and safe second seat and meets mandatory safety standards for stability, braking and impact performance.
We do not believe there is a need for restrictions based on weight, age or route, as long as those safety standards are met. Keeping unnecessary restrictions to a minimum means more choice and greater freedom for people who rely on these devices every day.
5. Who Can Use Powered Mobility Devices
We believe that anyone who needs a powered mobility device to maintain their independence should be able to use one legally. Current rules were written decades before modern devices existed and no longer reflect the range of people who rely on them today.
6. Simplifying Device Classifications
We support simplifying the current Class system and provided devices are stable and safe, which is the responsibility of manufacturers, we believe device classes can be removed entirely. A simpler framework means less confusion, more choice and greater independence for people with mobility impairments.
Why Your Response Matters Now
As a specialist mobility scooter insurer, we have a unique insight into the real-world impact of current legislation. That insight, alongside research carried out with Nottingham Trent University, forms the basis of our consultation response.
That evidence highlights why user input is so important.
- Around 60% of incidents involving travel occur in situations where higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase the risk or severity of harm
To be clear, this is not a comment on the speed the vehicle was travelling at the time of the incident, nor on the user’s ability to moderate their speed in the event of increased risk. - A quarter of claims involve collisions in shared spaces such as pavements and town centres
- A further 12% arise from people taking evasive action to avoid collisions
- Nearly a quarter are caused by terrain – including potholes, kerbs and uneven surfaces
This adds to a growing body of evidence at the heart of our Safer Mobility Campaign, dedicated to improving understanding, influencing policy, and supporting safer everyday journeys for those who rely on powered mobility devices.
Top Tips For Responding
If you’re planning to take part, here are a few simple pointers to help make your response count:
- Answer each question clearly – and refer back to the wording in the question
- Share real-life experiences where possible
- Include what would make things safer or easier for you, based on your experience
- Even if the question doesn’t directly ask about the specific issues you encounter, you can still include it
How To Submit Your Views
The DfT has made it as easy as possible to respond, with several options including accessible formats:
- Online: complete the form directly on the consultation page
- Email: download the form, type or handwrite your responses, and email it back
- Accessible formats: if you use assistive technology such as a screen reader, email [email protected] to request an alternative format
Please note: Posting your responses is an option. However, with less than one week until the deadline, we recommend responding online or by email to make sure your response is received in time.
This consultation is about designing future rules with users, not for them. Whether you use a mobility scooter, a powered wheelchair, or support someone who does, your experience can help shape safer, more inclusive guidance.
Take part before the deadline (11:59pm on 22 April 2026) here:
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reviewing-the-law-for-powered-mobility-devices
Please note: The views expressed here are based on analysis of our own claims data and the experiences of our customers. Everyone is encouraged to submit their own views and experiences as part of this consultation. Your voice matters, and no response is too small.
