Mobility Scooters Explained
One of the most popular forms of mobility aids widely prevalent in the recent years are the mobility scooters. A mobility scooter has helped many people regain the freedom to move around independently and confidently. The investment made into the purchase of a scooters by people who have mobility problems has meant shops city and urban landscapes have met criteria by councils to allow scooters to travel around on pavements and streets.
Types of mobility scooters:
There are two types of electrically powered mobility scooters. They are the class two and class three mobility scooters.
Class One represents the manual wheel chair that require human power to move them. This is otherwise known as the self-propelled wheel chair where the operator uses his strength to manipulate the wheels that drive the chair or employ attendants to push it.
The class two mobility scooters are electrically powered mobility scooters designed for use in footways, pavements and in the pedestrian areas at a maximum speed limit of 4mph. However it can be used on the road when there is no pavement and for the purpose of crossing the roads.
Class three scooters are also electrically powered vehicles engineered to be used on most roads at a speed of 8mph. However they are not intended for use on motorways, bus lanes or cycle lanes. Similarly they are not intended for use on dual carriages which has a speed limit of over 50mph.
The legal requirements for class three mobility scooters:
According to disabledinfo.co.uk, these powered scooters can have a maximum weight of 150kgs and a width of 0.85 metres. If this vehicle is to be used on the road it should be equipped with an audible horn, rear-view mirror, front and rear reflectors and lights, direction indicators and a good braking system. If a four-wheeled vehicle is used as a dual carriage, although it is not advised, then amber lights should be incorporated as instructed to be licensed by the DVLA. Class 3 scooters can be legally operated from 14 years and over. When using a mobility class 3 scooter, the speed should is legally reduced to 4mph when travelling on pavements and footways.
Licensing and insurance requirements:
These powered scooters are not regarded as motor vehicles therefore require no procuring for a license or taking a driving test. However, users must duly register the class three vehicles with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. This does not cost you any money but you will have to fill in a form and display a “Null Duty” tax disc. Though it is not required under law to insure this vehicle, it is better to secure an insurance to cover personal safety, others safety and the value of the vehicle. As class two vehicles are restricted to usage in footways and pavements they are generally subject to fewer legal requirements.
