Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are single-seat vehicles with a battery. They’re designed to help if you have trouble walking. Who can use mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of the following applies: you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability or medical condition you’re taking the vehicle to or from maintenance or repair you’re the manufacturer testing the vehicle you’re demonstrating the vehicle before it’s sold you’re training a disabled user If none of these applies to you and you have an accident, you may be given the same penalty as if you were driving a car. You can go to prison, get a driving ban or get an unlimited fine. Before you drive Before you drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, check what class it is . The class of your vehicle will affect: whether you can drive on the road or on pavements and other pedestrian areas if your eyesight lets you drive safely if you need to insure or register your vehicle

Classes of mobility scooter and powered wheelchair

There are different rules for using your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, depending on what ‘class’ it is. The classes for mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are: class 2 class 3 Some mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are not in a class. The seller or manufacturer can usually tell you the class of your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. If they cannot, you can check based on its speed, width and weight. Class 2 and 3 Your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair is usually in: class 2 if it has a maximum speed of 4mph or less class 3 if it has a maximum speed of 8mph Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be used: on pavements and other pedestrian areas on cycle tracks Class 3 mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can also be used on the road . You need to register them with DVLA. Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 cannot be used on cycle lanes. Cycle tracks are different from cycle lanes. Cycle tracks are separated from the road by barriers or distance. Cycle lanes are painted on the road and run alongside where usual road traffic (like cars) go. Not in a class Your vehicle is not in a class if: it can go more than 8mph it’s wider than 0.85 metres it weighs more than 150kg (or 200kg if you need any equipment attached to it - for example, medical equipment) If your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair is not in class, you can only use it on the road . You cannot use it on: pavements or any other pedestrian areas cycle tracks or cycle lanes You need to: get a valid driving licence to drive one register your vehicle with DVLA You may also need to insure your vehicle. Check how to insure or register your vehicle . If you cause an accident while driving a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair that’s not in a class, you can be given the same penalty as if you were driving a car. You can go to prison, get a driving ban or get an unlimited fine.

To drive on the road, your vehicle must be a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter in ‘class 3’ or not in a class . It must have: a maximum speed of at least 8mph an efficient braking system a clear view of the road and traffic ahead front and rear lights and reflectors direction indicators that can be used as a hazard warning signal a rear view mirror an audible horn If your powered wheelchair or mobility scooter is not in a class, you must also have a driving licence . You could be stopped by the police if your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair does not have these features. If your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair’s maximum speed is over 15mph Your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair must have: two dipped beam headlamps - if its maximum speed is more than 15mph a speedometer - if its maximum speed is more than 25mph Rules for driving on the road You must follow The Highway Code when using your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair on the road. You cannot drive: in bus lanes on motorways in cycle lanes Cycle lanes and cycle tracks Cycle lanes are different from cycle tracks. Cycle lanes are painted on the road and run alongside where usual road traffic (like cars) go. You cannot drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair in cycle lanes. Cycle tracks are separated from the road by barriers or distance. Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be driven on cycle tracks. Dual carriageways You must use an amber flashing light for visibility if you use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair on a dual carriageway. Avoid using dual carriageways with a speed limit of over 50mph.

Driving on pavements, footpaths and bridleways

Only ‘class 2’ and ‘class 3’ mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can go on pavements and other pedestrian areas, like footpaths and bridleways . You cannot use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair in pedestrian areas if it’s not in a class. Check the class of your vehicle . Rules for driving and parking on pavements, footpaths and bridleways The maximum speed is 4mph. You must make way for other people using the pavement and drive considerately. All normal parking restrictions apply to mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. Your vehicle should not be left on the pavement or pedestrian area on its own if it gets in the way of other pedestrians. This includes other wheelchair users and people with prams or pushchairs.

Eyesight requirements

The eyesight requirements for using a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair depend on the ‘class’ it’s in . You can be prosecuted if you have an accident because of poor eyesight. If your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair is in ‘class 2’ or ‘class 3’ You should be able to read a car’s registration number from a distance of 12.3 metres (40 feet). If your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair is not in a class You must be able to read a car’s registration number from a distance of 20 metres (65.5 feet). You must check that you can still do this regularly. You’ll need to be able to read a car’s registration number from 20.5 metres (67.3 feet) if it’s an old-style number plate from before 2001.

Vehicle tax, registration and insurance

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in ‘class 3’ or not in a class must be registered with DVLA . You do not need to pay vehicle tax if your vehicle is registered with DVLA as a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. You may also need to insure your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, depending on its weight. Registering a new mobility scooter or powered wheelchair The dealer will usually register a brand new mobility scooter or powered wheelchair for you. If the dealer will not do it, you can register the vehicle yourself by filling in form V55/MV . You’ll get a new vehicle log book (V5C) in the post within 4 weeks of the sale. Registering a used mobility scooter or powered wheelchair A used mobility scooter or powered wheelchair should already be registered when you buy it. Check whether it’s registered by either: asking the seller using the DVLA vehicle enquiry service If it’s not registered, you can register the vehicle yourself by filling in form V55/MV . You’ll get a new vehicle log book (V5C) in the post within 6 weeks of the sale. If your log book (V5C) does not arrive If you do not get a new vehicle log book, fill in an ‘Application for a vehicle registration certificate’ (V62) and send it to DVLA . DVLA Swansea SA99 1BA Change your name or address If you need to change your name or address, fill in section 6 of your vehicle log book and send it to DVLA . Insurance You do not need insurance for a class 2 or class 3 mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, although it’s recommended. You must insure your vehicle if it’s not in a class because its total weight is heavier than 254kg. The total weight does not include any equipment attached.

Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Overview

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are single-seat vehicles with a battery. They’re designed to help if you have trouble walking.

Who can use mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of the following applies:

you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability or medical condition
you’re taking the vehicle to or from maintenance or repair
you’re the manufacturer testing the vehicle
you’re demonstrating the vehicle before it’s sold
you’re training a disabled user

If none of these applies to you and you have an accident, you may be given the same penalty as if you were driving a car. You can go to prison, get a driving ban or get an unlimited fine.

Before you drive

Before you drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, check what class it is.

The class of your vehicle will affect:

whether you can drive on the road or on pavements and other pedestrian areas
if your eyesight lets you drive safely
if you need to insure or register your vehicle

View a printable version of the whole guide

Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Overview

Who can use mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Before you drive

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Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Overview

Who can use mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Before you drive

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