Mobility Scooters On The Road (Rules & UK Law)

If you’re new to mobility scooters, you may be wondering if you can drive it on the road, and if so, what the rules and laws are regarding their use.

Or perhaps you’ve used a Class 2 scooter (for pavement use), and are considering getting a Class 3 (road legal) mobility scooter, and want to know the rules for driving one on the road.

Or maybe you’ve been a mobility scooter driver for a while, and just want to brush up on your road rules knowledge.

Whichever it is, let’s check out the laws and rules in the UK for mobility scooters on the road (and pavements).

Introducing Mobility Scooters On The Road (Rules & UK Law)

Lets talk about the legal requirements for owning and using mobility scooters, as well as the various laws, guidelines and rules governing their use on roads and on pavements.

The guiding principle overseeing mobility scooter use is that, according to Rule 37 of the Highway Code :

When you’re driving your mobility scooter on the road, you should obey the rules for other vehicles. When you’re driving on the pavement, you should follow the guidance and rules for pedestrians.

The laws governing the use of mobility scooters are covered in the provisions of the following legislation:

‘The Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988’.

These laws must be obeyed, and there are also provisions of the Highway Code specifically relating to mobility scooters.

Legal Requirements For Driving A Mobility Scooter (Licence, Registration, Tax, Insurance)

Do you need a licence to drive a mobility scooter?

You don’t need a licence to drive any kind of mobility scooter (Class 2 or Class3) and there’s no driving test or theory test.

There’s also no specific legal requirement for eyesight, but you should be capable of reading a car’s licence plate from 12.3m (40 feet). You must also check that you are still able to do this regularly, for your own safety and the safety of others.

If you have an accident caused partially by your poor eyesight, you may have to pay compensation.

Do you need to register a mobility scooter with the DVLA?

If you have a Class 3 scooter, yes you do.

If you have a Class 2 scooter, no you don’t need to register it.

Do you need to pay vehicle tax on a mobility scooter?

No. There is no requirement to pay vehicle tax on any kind of mobility scooter (Class 2 or Class 3).

Do you need to get insurance for a mobility scooter?

No.

Whether Class 2 or Class 3 makes no difference, you’re not legally required to insure it. But the government recommends that you do.

Can You Drive A Mobility Scooter On The Road?

Yes! But only Class 3 mobility scooters are road legal, not Class 2 (though some circumstances allow road travel).

Class 3 scooters are categorised by UK law as a type of vehicle, and therefore you can drive it on the road.

As a result of being categorised this way, there are rules mobility scooter drivers must follow, as with any vehicle on the road.

However, it’s important to know about these two different classes of mobility scooter, since only one of them can be used on the road.

What’s the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 mobility scooters?

Class 2 Mobility Scooters

This class of scooter can normally only be driven on the pavement, and other pedestrian spaces, as well as indoor areas like shopping centres and museums.

Class 2 mobility scooters cannot normally be driven on the road.

And Class 2 scooters, since they’re designed for pavement use, have a maximum legal speed limit of 4mph.

Users of Class 2 scooters should always use the pavement when it’s available. But if there’s no pavement, you can travel on the road, with caution.

Registration, tax and insurance of Class 2 scooters

Class 2 scooters do not need to be registered with the DVLA, since they are not legally classed as a vehicle.

You don’t need to pay for road tax or insurance.

Class 3 Mobility Scooters

Are Class 3 mobility scooters allowed on the road?

Yes, Class 3 scooters CAN be driven on the road. You must observe the legal speed limit for mobility scooters on the road, of 8mph.

The fastest Class 3 scooter is the Veleco Faster mobility scooter (reviewed).

Are Class 3 mobility scooters allowed on the pavement?

Yes, it’s also perfectly legal to drive them everywhere a Class 2 scooter can go, such as pavements and shops, but in these places you must follow the same 4mph legal speed limit.

UK Laws for Class 3 scooters

According to UK law, Class 3 scooters must have the following features:

Maximum unladen weight of 150kg (not including driver weight). Or 200kg, if carrying necessary equipment, such as medical supplies.
Maximum width of 0.85 metres.
Must have an efficient braking system.
A device to limit its speed to 4mph (eg. a speed limiter switch)
Maximum speed of 8mph
Front and rear lights and reflectors
Rear view mirror
Direction indicators, which can also operate as a hazard warning signal
An audible horn (a horn loud enough for other road users/pedestrians to hear it)
Amber flashing light (if used on a dual carriageway)

If your scooter doesn’t have the above features, you could be stopped by the police.

Any scooter listed as a Class 3 mobility scooter, and advertised as road legal, SHOULD meet the above requirements, but you should always check yourself anyway!

Registration, vehicle tax and insurance of Class 3 scooters

Since they can be taken on the road, Class 3 scooters must be registered with the DVLA.

If your scooter has not already been registered as a vehicle with the DVLA

Most scooters will already have been registered by the seller/manufacturer/dealer before you buy it.

But if not, to register a new scooter, you’ll need to complete form V55/4, or if it’s a used scooter, you’ll fill in form V55/5.

If your scooter has already been registered as a vehicle with the DVLA

Then you need to have the owners details changed when you buy it. The seller needs to make you the ‘registered keeper’ so that the vehicle will be registered in your name.

Within 4 weeks of the sale, you’ll receive a new vehicle log book (V5C) in the post.

If you didn’t receive a new vehicle log book within 4 weeks of the sale, you’ll need to fill in an ‘Application for a vehicle registration certificate’ (V62) and send it to the DVLA.

As we said earlier, you don’t have to pay any vehicle tax on a mobility scooter, even a Class 3 scooter. Just make sure it’s a Class 3 mobility scooter by asking the seller when you buy it (as opposed to some other kind of vehicle).

You’re not required by UK law to get insurance for a mobility scooter, even a Class 3 one. But it is recommended that you do.

How do I know if my scooter is a Class 3 scooter (and hence legal to use on the road)?

The manufacturer/seller of the scooter will always make this clear in their marketing material.

Typically, Class 3 scooters are larger and are non-folding. However, there are exceptions, like the eFOLDi (here’s our eFOLDi mobility scooter review)

Mobility Scooter Road Rules

As mentioned, the UK speed limit for a mobility scooter on the road is 8mph.

Apart from the legal limits, there are a few things that affect the maximum speed of a mobility scooter.

You must take special care on the road since you may often be travelling more slowly than surrounding traffic, and you may also be less visible to other drivers on the road.

You must take special care on the road since you may often be travelling more slowly than surrounding traffic (since you’re limited to 8mph), and you may also be less visible to other drivers on the road.

You MUST NOT drive a mobility scooter on motorways.

You also cannot drive them on bus lanes or cycle-only lanes. You should “avoid” using dual carriageways which have a speed limit of over 50mph.

Why? Because the difference in speed is simply too great. With cars, lorries and motorbikes travelling at 50mph plus, and a mobility scooter at just 8mph, it’s dangerous for the mobility scooter driver and the other road users.

If you do drive your mobility scooter on the dual carriageway with speed limit over 50mph, then you MUST use an amber flashing beacon. And you should use such a light on all other dual carriageways as well. This ensures greater visibility of your scooter to other road users.

You must always travel in the direction of traffic.

You must follow the same rules as other road vehicles and use your lights, horn and indicators (if your vehicle has them) in accordance with the Highway Code. At night, lights MUST be used. You must be aware that your visibility to other road users may be poor, and take steps to make yourself more visible. For example, wear a reflective jacket or attach reflective strips to the back of the scooter.

Follow Rule 44 of the Highway Code, which says you must take extra care at road junctions, and at particularly busy or dangerous junctions, you should avoid them, where possible. The same applies to roundabouts, and it may be preferable to plan a route which avoids them entirely. It may be safer at times, to go on the pavement and cross at a safer place (lowering your speed limit to 4mph, as per pavement legal limits).

You must follow the Highway Code when using your mobility scooter on the road.

Class 2 scooters cannot be driven on the road, except where there is not a pavement. If no pavement is available, use caution when on the road. Travel in the direction of traffic, especially at night. You MUST use lights when travelling at night.

Mobility Scooter Pavement Rules

The pavement is safer than the road, and should be used when available.

While on the pavement, you must give pedestrians priority, and show consideration for them (remembering that some pedestrians may have visual or hearing impairment and so may be unaware of your presence).

Since you can drive both Class 2 and Class 3 scooters on the pavement, the following rules apply to them both.

Any mobility scooter on the pavement or footpaths must observe the legal speed limit of 4mph.

You also may need to reduce speed at times to ensure safety of other pavement users, who may not be able to move out of your way fast enough, or in situations where the pavement is too narrow.

You cannot drive on cycle-only paths.

When moving from the pavement to the road, take special care. Before doing so, look around in all directions to ensure it’s safe to join traffic. You must try to use dropped kerbs wherever possible.

When climbing or coming off a kerb, do so at right angles to the kerb, and don’t use kerbs higher than your scooter manufacturers recommended maximum height.

Parking

All normal parking rules that apply to other vehicles should be obeyed.

When you park, you must make sure you don’t leave your scooter on a footpath or pedestrian area where it could be in the way of pedestrians, remembering to leave enough space for pedestrians who may be in a wheelchair, or have prams or pushchairs.

Vehicles, including mobility scooters, which have a valid badge provided under the Blue Badge scheme have several parking concessions allowed to them.

Parking with a Blue Badge

If you have a Blue Badge, you can park in places that other drivers cannot. Some spaces are reserved for holders of this badge.

You automatically qualify if you are registered blind, receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or a lump sum payment from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, or in receipt of a high rate of the DVLA’s mobility component.

You may also be eligible if you: have a severe disability that affects your mobility, are unable to use your arms, or you have permanent problems with walking.

Who Can Use A Mobility Scooter?

You can only drive a mobility scooter if you:

Have difficulty walking due to an injury, physical disability or medical condition
Are demonstrating the vehicle for the purpose of selling it
Are training a disabled user how to use it
Are taking the vehicle to or from a destination to have maintenance or repair carried out

Is It Possible To Get A Mobility Scooter For Free?

Yes, here’s Can I Get A Mobility Scooter On Pip?

Summing Up Mobility Scooters On The Road (Rules & UK Law)

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the rules and UK laws for using mobility scooters on the road, and indeed on pavements.

Mobility scooters are essential for daily living for many people who have difficulty getting around. They can literally transform the lives of such people, allowing them freedom and independence that may otherwise have been impossible.

The laws governing the use of mobility scooter make allowance for this, while providing as much assurance of safety of both the scooter driver and the other road users.

If you follow the rules described in this article, you’re going the right way to ensure your safety and still making use of the roads to reach your destinations.