The Highway Code for Mobility Scooter Users

People ride their mobility scooters in all types of weather conditions. It could be summer or winter, daylight or darkness, rain or wind. It’s important that as a mobility scooter user the time is taken to learn a little bit about how to stay safe and look out for other hazards when on your adventure.

What is the Highway Code for Mobility Scooter Users?

You’ve heard of the highway code for motor vehicles, right? Well, how about the one created by the government for mobility scooter users?

It’s important that this is followed if you’re using a pavement, footpath, or public road. Below is some key information from A Highway Code for Mobility Scooter Users to help you stay safe.

Different Classifications of Mobility Vehicles

Class 1 – This relates to manual wheelchairs that are not electrically powered. Basically, anything where you are using your hands or are pushed by another person.

Class 2 – All powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters with a top speed of 4mph. These are suitable for riding on pavements and footpaths.

Class 3 – Powered wheelchairs and other outdoor powered vehicles, including mobility scooters, which have a top speed of 8mph. These are suitable to ride on roads.

Look out, Look out, Wherever You Are

A collision on a mobility scooter, even if you’re rolling along at a slow pace, can cause a lot of damage both to you and others. That’s why we would always advise trying out a local course if you are a new driver or just feel like you could do with a confidence booster.

Confidence in your chosen vehicle often comes down to how you feel on it. Like all good mobility showrooms, we’ll always provide an in-depth demo plus assessment to make sure your scooter is the right fit. Our mobility professionals will show you all the buttons, levers and switches to make sure you leave happy and confident.

Know your Journey

Where possible, it’s important to plan your journey. Ask yourself the question, what’s the best way to reach my chosen destination? The rapid improvements in portable mobility scooter design mean that they can go further and handle a wider range of terrain. That said, it’s always advisable to make sure that your route isn’t littered with boggy areas, high kerbs, or steep inclines.

There is an Accessibility Mobile App and Journey Planner called Route4U which may come in useful.

Tips when out and about on your mobility scooter

The same as when driving a car, you should never attempt to operate a mobility scooter if you’ve been drinking alcohol. It’s fine if you’ve been prescribed medication from your GP but always check that the medication doesn’t cause drowsiness.

If you’re taking your mobility scooter out in the dark, then it must be fitted with headlights. All class 3 mobility scooters will have them as standard.

To say visible in darker conditions, try wearing fluorescent material. It will ensure that you remain can be seen by other road users. We stock a range of fluorescent mobility scooter bags.

Other Important Information

• Do not carry or lead a pet while you are on your scooter. Even trained and well-behaved animals can be unpredictable and cause crashes.
• Be very careful when you are approaching corners or junctions on loose gravel, on a slippery surface or downhill.
• Slow down in plenty of time. There may be a delay in braking on some scooters.
• Pedestrians always have right of way.
• Don’t carry another person (adult or child) on a scooter.
• You are not allowed to use bus lanes or cycle tracks.

We’ve picked out a few important bits of information that will come in useful when using a mobility scooter or powerchair on the road or pavement. A mobility scooter is a great way for those with restricted mobility to gain more independence and by sticking to the rules of the highway code for mobility scooter users it’s safer all round.

★★★★★
1 year ago

Very helpful.

Gina K.