Regulations Surrounding the use of Mobility Scooters

The purchaser of a mobility scooter is, currently in the UK, the one and only person responsible for carrying out the requirements placed on them, when owning and operating one of these devices. This is a hotly debated topic and may change as incidents occur, for better or for worse, and the outcome of such events is analysed.

There are articles online which cover the regulations, laws and guidance that owners should be encouraged to read, keeping safety top of the agenda. Guidance can be found in the ‘mobility scooter safety guide’,’ staying safe on your mobility scooter in autumn’ and’ accessibility rights for mobility scooter users.’

Surewise issued an Our Mobility Campaign back in 2024, aiming to make it safer for all mobility scooter users. It arose from some alarming statistics, namely that the number of fatalities among those using such a device nearly doubled in the 12 months up to 2023, and during the last decade there has been a 20% year-on-year increase in mobility scooter casualties. Their campaign is designed to educate, address the outdated language that needed updating and specifically to raise awareness for all parties involved.

Those who are entitled to use a mobility scooter must have a disability or limited mobility because of an injury or medical condition.

There are other ‘invalid carriages’ as they are known, including wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Each has a class of its own, the powered ones having a speed limit placed on them. For powered wheelchairs, class 2, they are restricted to a maximum of 4mph on pavements, while mobility scooters, class 3, are limited to 8mph on the roads or footways.

When riding on the pavement, it is requisite to follow the same rules that pedestrians must. One of these is that pedestrians have the right of way and mobility scooter users should navigate safely around those who are also using the pavement.

There are restrictions placed on mobility scooters wishing to travel on the roads. The device must have a maximum unladen weight of 150kg, a maximum width of 0.85m and they must be capable of reaching 8mph. The DVLA asks for the device to have active brakes, front and rear lights with reflectors, indicators, an audible horn, a rearview mirror and amber flashing light if you wish to travel on a dual carriageway.

It is not illegal to use an invalid carriage without a license, but it is sometimes necessary to report your class 3 device to the DVLA. You must be 14 years old to make a purchase of a class 3 piece of equipment, but at the moment there is no upper limit placed on ownership.

Vehicle tax is not demanded by the government for the use of road going devices, although application for tax is necessary. You apply for nil value tax.

Blue badge holders are allowed to park in special places reserved for them. The qualification for a blue badge requires you to be blind, or to hold the higher component award for DLA or PIP. War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or a lump sum payment from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme also qualifies you for a blue badge. Severe disability, inability to use your arms or permanent problems walking may also permit someone to have a blue badge.