Category: Rules and law

Quick answer: The United States has no single national rulebook for riding a mobility scooter on the street. Where you can ride, how fast and whether any paperwork applies are set by each state’s vehicle code, and many states treat a disabled person using a motorised wheelchair or scooter as a pedestrian. Federal disability law then guarantees access: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local governments and businesses to let people using wheelchairs and scooters into areas open to pedestrians, and public transit must carry mobility devices that its lifts can handle. Checked on official sources in September 2026.

The rules at a glance

Question	Short answer	Where it comes from
Can I ride on the sidewalk (pavement)?	Usually yes: several states treat disabled scooter users as pedestrians, but it is set state by state	State vehicle codes, for example California and Florida
Can I ride on the road?	Depends on your state and local rules	State vehicle codes and local ordinances
Speed limit	No single federal limit; check your state	State law
Registration, licence, insurance	Set by each state; ask your state DMV	State law
Access to shops, parks, public buildings	Must be allowed wherever the public can go	ADA regulations (28 CFR 35.137 and the Department of Justice guidance)
Buses and trains	Must be carried if the lift and vehicle can accommodate you	49 CFR 37.165

Why the rules are set state by state

Traffic law in the US is mostly state law. That means the question “can I ride my scooter on the sidewalk?” is answered by your state’s vehicle code and, often, by city or county ordinances as well. There is no federal speed class system like the UK’s Class 2 and Class 3. The practical effect is that the same scooter may be treated slightly differently in two neighbouring states, so the safest approach is to read your own state’s vehicle code or ask your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Two state examples

California: scooter users can be pedestrians

California Vehicle Code section 467 defines a pedestrian as a person who is on foot or using certain other conveyances. Subsection (b) adds that “pedestrian” includes a person operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorised tricycle or motorised quadricycle who, because of a physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian. In plain terms, a disabled Californian using a three- or four-wheeled powered mobility device is treated as a pedestrian, so pedestrian rules on sidewalks and crossings apply.

Florida: motorised wheelchairs are exempt from the sidewalk ban

Florida Statutes section 316.1995 says a person may not drive any vehicle other than by human power on a bicycle path, sidewalk or sidewalk area, except in specific cases. Subsection (3) states that the section does not apply to motorised wheelchairs. In other words, Florida’s ban on powered vehicles on sidewalks does not stop someone using a motorised wheelchair there.

These are only two states. If you live elsewhere, look up the pedestrian definition and sidewalk rules in your own state code, and check whether your city has extra rules on shared paths or boardwalks.

Your access rights under the ADA

The ADA is federal law, so it applies in every state. It does not set speed limits or say whether you may ride on the road, but it does stop organisations from shutting you out.

What counts as a wheelchair

The Department of Justice defines a wheelchair as a manually operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor, or of both indoor and outdoor, locomotion. Its guidance names electric scooters alongside manual and power wheelchairs as the devices people with mobility disabilities use.

Where you must be allowed

The DOJ guidance says covered entities (state and local governments, and businesses and non-profit organisations serving the public) must allow people with disabilities who use manual or power wheelchairs or scooters into all areas where members of the public are allowed to go. For state and local governments, 28 CFR 35.137 requires them to permit wheelchairs in any areas open to pedestrian use.

Other power-driven mobility devices

Devices that are not wheelchairs, such as golf cars or Segways used by a disabled person, are called other power-driven mobility devices. These must usually be allowed too, unless a particular type cannot be accommodated because of legitimate safety requirements. Organisations weigh five factors: the device’s type, size, weight, dimensions and speed; pedestrian traffic; the facility’s design; whether safety rules can be set; and the risk of serious harm. They may, for example, require you to travel at the speed of pedestrian traffic. These rules came into effect on 15 March 2011.

Buses, trains and paratransit

Federal transit rules use their own definition. Under 49 CFR 37.3 a wheelchair is a mobility aid belonging to any class of three- or more-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered. Most mobility scooters fall into that description.

49 CFR 37.165 then sets out how transit providers must treat you:

• Wheelchair users must be carried, including those with devices larger or heavier than the design standards, if the lift and vehicle can accommodate the wheelchair and occupant.
• A provider may decline if the combined weight exceeds the lift’s specifications, or if carrying it is shown to be inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements.
• The provider may require your device to be secured, but may not refuse you because the device cannot be secured satisfactorily.
• Staff may recommend that you transfer to a seat but may not require it, and must help with ramps, lifts and securement when needed.

In practice, check the lift weight limit and the securement area size with your local transit agency before you rely on a bus route.

Registration, licensing and insurance

Because the rules are state based, we cannot give one answer for the whole country. In a state that treats you as a pedestrian, vehicle-style requirements such as a driver’s licence are generally not part of the picture, but check with your state DMV before assuming this. Whatever your state requires, liability cover is worth considering: a collision with a pedestrian on the sidewalk can be costly. Ask your homeowner’s or renter’s insurer whether your policy covers liability while using a mobility device, or look at specialist mobility insurance.

Age limits

We found no federal minimum age for using a mobility scooter. Any age rule would come from state law or from the conditions of a rental or hire company, so check both if a younger person will use the scooter.

Practical safety points

• On sidewalks, travel at walking pace around other people, even if your scooter can go faster.
• Use crosswalks and pedestrian signals, as pedestrian rules generally apply to you.
• Make yourself visible at dawn, dusk and night with lights and reflective items.
• Before a trip on public transit, ask about lift capacity and space for your model.

Where to check your state’s rules

• Your state DMV or Department of Transportation website.
• Your state legislature’s online vehicle code (search for the pedestrian definition and sidewalk rules).
• Your city or county website for local ordinances on sidewalks, trails and boardwalks.
• Your local transit agency’s accessibility page for mobility device rules.

Sources

• ADA Requirements: Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (ada.gov)
• 28 CFR 35.137, Mobility devices (law.cornell.edu)
• 49 CFR 37.3, Definitions (law.cornell.edu)
• 49 CFR 37.165, Lift and securement use (law.cornell.edu)
• California Vehicle Code section 467 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
• Florida Statutes section 316.1995 (flsenate.gov)

Quick answer: In Ireland, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) says people using powered wheelchairs are regarded as having pedestrian status, and that a motorised wheelchair is not classified as a mechanically propelled vehicle and does not require testing. Powered wheelchairs can be used on footpaths, in pedestrianised streets and on cycle tracks. On public roads, wheelchair users, including those on mobility scooters, should use a footpath or hard shoulder wherever possible. Irish law does not set UK-style speed classes for scooters, and mobility scooters are a separate thing from e-scooters, which have their own rules. Checked on official pages in September 2026.

The rules at a glance

Question	What the official sources say	Source
Am I a driver or a pedestrian?	Powered wheelchair users are regarded as having pedestrian status	RSA
Is it a mechanically propelled vehicle?	A motorised wheelchair is not classified as one	RSA
Does it need testing?	No	RSA
Footpaths and pedestrianised areas	Powered wheelchairs can use footpaths, pedestrianised streets and cycle tracks, and enter buildings as pedestrians do	RSA
Public roads	Use a footpath or hard shoulder where possible; if there is no footpath, face oncoming traffic	RSA
Buses	A mobility scooter travel card is needed after an assessment	Transport for Ireland
Trains	Scooters up to 700 mm wide and 1,200 mm long, 300 kg with occupant; book 24 hours ahead for ramps	Transport for Ireland (Irish Rail)
Luas	Mobility scooters are allowed on board	Transport for Ireland

Pedestrian status: the key idea

The RSA’s page on motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters explains the principle behind Irish practice. Powered wheelchairs are used by people with a mobility disability and are regarded “for all intents and purposes” as having pedestrian status, with the motorised wheelchair seen as an extension of the person rather than as a mode of transport. The RSA says no distinction is made between self-propelled and powered wheelchairs.

Two consequences follow from the RSA’s answers:

• A motorised wheelchair is not classified as a mechanically propelled vehicle.
• Motorised wheelchairs do not require testing.

The RSA’s page does not list a motor tax, driving licence or registration requirement for motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters. If you are unsure whether your particular machine counts, for example a very large or fast road-style scooter, ask the RSA before you ride it on a public road.

Where you can ride

Footpaths, pedestrianised streets and cycle tracks

The RSA says powered wheelchairs can be used on footpaths, can enter pedestrianised streets and cycle tracks, and can enter buildings in the same way as pedestrians. It explains that wheelchair users are in special circumstances because of essential personal mobility needs arising from a disability.

Public roads

According to the RSA, wheelchair users, including those using powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters, should:

• use a footpath or hard shoulder where possible at all times;
• cross the road at pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, or at a place that gives the best view of approaching traffic;
• face the direction of oncoming traffic when there is no footpath.

The RSA also points to section 67 of the Roads Act 1993, under which a person using a public road has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of any other person using the road. That duty applies to scooter users as much as anyone.

Speed

Unlike the UK, where GOV.UK says the class of a mobility scooter decides whether you can drive on the road and whether you need to register or insure it, the RSA’s guidance does not set a speed class or a numeric speed limit for mobility scooters. Because you are treated as a pedestrian, the sensible approach is to move at walking pace on footpaths and in crowds, and to slow right down near junctions, driveways and doorways. Claims you may see online about Irish “Class 2” and “Class 3” speed limits do not come from the RSA page.

Mobility scooters are not e-scooters

Ireland legalised e-scooters on public roads on 20 May 2024, when the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 created a vehicle class called powered personal transporters. These are a different category from mobility scooters. Citizens Information says e-scooters must not be used on footpaths or pedestrianised areas, must travel at 20 km/h or less, and have a minimum rider age of 16, rising to 18 from 2 October 2026. None of those e-scooter rules applies to a mobility scooter used by someone with a mobility disability.

The difference matters on public transport too. E-scooters are banned on National Transport Authority services, but Citizens Information notes that the ban does not apply to e-bikes or mobility scooters.

Taking a mobility scooter on public transport

Buses

Transport for Ireland says you need a permit to travel on TFI bus services with a mobility scooter, because some scooters are too big for buses. Your operator assesses the scooter, and if it passes you get a mobility scooter travel card to show the driver. The card is valid for five years, or less if you change your scooter. It does not give free travel. The motor should be off, the scooter parked in gear with the brake on, and it should travel in the designated wheelchair space; if that space is taken, you will need to wait for the next service. Bus Éireann has been trialling scooter use on Cork City services, with a wider policy review to follow.

Trains

Irish Rail can carry wheelchairs or powered scooters up to 700 mm wide and 1,200 mm long (including footplates), 1,435 mm high including the occupant, a maximum of 300 kg including the occupant, and with a turning radius of 900 mm. Spaces are limited, so book in advance, and give 24 hours’ notice if you need staff to help with a ramp. Scooters larger than these limits cannot be accepted.

Luas

Mobility scooters are allowed on Luas. Transport for Ireland recommends boarding through the double doors and applying the brake once on board.

Insurance

The RSA’s page does not mention compulsory insurance for motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Even so, because the Roads Act duty of care applies to you, it is worth checking whether your home insurance covers liability if you injure someone or damage property while using your scooter, and whether theft or accidental damage to the scooter itself is covered.

Age

We found no minimum age for using a mobility scooter in the official Irish guidance. If a child or teenager will use one, remember that the e-scooter age limits do not apply to mobility scooters, but the duty of care on public roads does.

Before you buy a scooter for use in Ireland

Because the official guidance is short, a few checks before buying save trouble later:

• Think about where you will ride. If most trips are on footpaths and in shops, a smaller, slower scooter is easier to manage and more likely to fit bus and rail limits.
• Measure your scooter against the Irish Rail limits of 700 mm wide and 1,200 mm long if you want to take it on trains.
• Ask your bus operator to assess the model before you commit, so you know whether it will get a mobility scooter travel card.
• Check where you will store and charge it at home, and whether your home insurance covers it.

Practical safety tips

• Stay on footpaths and hard shoulders wherever possible, as the RSA advises.
• Choose crossing points with a clear view of traffic.
• Make yourself visible in poor light with lights and reflective clothing.
• Check the size of your scooter against bus and rail limits before you buy, if you plan to use public transport.

Sources

• Motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters (rsa.ie)
• E-scooters (citizensinformation.ie)
• Mobility Scooters On TFI Services (transportforireland.ie)
• Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs (gov.uk), for the UK comparison

Quick answer: In Canada the rules for mobility scooters are provincial, but the common thread is that a person using a scooter because of a disability is treated as a pedestrian. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta all say so. British Columbia’s ICBC says it does not register, license or insure scooters, and the Ontario and Alberta guidance we checked sets no registration requirement. Quebec has the most detailed rules: a 10 km/h limit on sidewalks, limited road use at up to 32 km/h, and compulsory reflectors, lights and brakes. Local by-laws can add limits. Checked on official pages in September 2026.

The rules by province at a glance

Province	Status of scooter user	Key limits	Registration, licence, insurance
Ontario	Pedestrian under the Highway Traffic Act	Use sidewalks; if none, left shoulder facing traffic; municipal by-laws may restrict	None mentioned on Ontario’s guidance
British Columbia	Follow pedestrian rules	Device must not exceed 25 km/h by design; no bike lanes	ICBC does not register, license or insure them
Alberta	A person in a mobility aid is a pedestrian	Pedestrian rules apply; sidewalks or pathways recommended	None mentioned in the fact sheet
Quebec	Motorised mobility aid (MMA) user with specific rules	10 km/h on sidewalks; up to 32 km/h on the roadway for short distances; compulsory equipment	Device must meet the MMA definition
Other provinces and territories	Check provincial law	Check provincial law and local by-laws	Check with your provincial transport department

Ontario

Ontario’s pedestrian safety guidance says wheelchairs and medical scooters, which are designed for people with limited mobility because of a medical condition or injury, are considered pedestrians under the Highway Traffic Act. Two practical rules follow.

• If there is no sidewalk, or the sidewalk is not wheelchair-accessible, travel along the left shoulder of the road facing oncoming traffic, and get back onto a sidewalk as soon as you safely can.
• Most municipalities have by-laws about where wheelchairs can and cannot be used, so check with your municipality that your scooter may be used on its sidewalks.

Ontario’s guidance does not set a speed class or a registration requirement for scooters. Local by-laws are the place to look for any extra limits.

British Columbia

The BC government and ICBC set out what counts as an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter. It must be designed and manufactured to transport people who have limited mobility because of a permanent or temporary disability that makes walking impossible or difficult; be designed to be self-propelled (or self-propelled with the option of human power); and have an electric motor that can propel it no faster than 25 km/h on a clean, paved, level surface.

Where you can ride

You must follow the same rules as a pedestrian. That means you can use your scooter on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, but not in places where pedestrians are not allowed, such as bike lanes. On a public road you must exercise due care and attention and have reasonable consideration for other road users. Local governments may set by-laws allowing or restricting use on multi-use paths and trails, such as in parks.

Paperwork and protection

ICBC says it does not register, license or insure electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and that they are regulated under the Motor Vehicle Act. Since 3 June 2024, people using an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter are protected by BC’s vulnerable road user law, which requires drivers to always drive safely and give space when passing.

Alberta

An Alberta Transportation fact sheet on small vehicles (dated June 2009, so check for updates) quotes the Traffic Safety Act definition of a mobility aid as a device used to help transport, in a normal seated position, a person with a physical disability. It states that a mobility aid user is, by definition, a pedestrian, and that all rules that apply to pedestrians also apply to people operating a mobility aid. The fact sheet recommends using sidewalks or pathways rather than the roadway. As a pedestrian, you would use the sidewalk where there is one and, where there is not, the side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

Quebec: the most detailed rules in Canada

Quebec regulates motorised mobility aids (MMAs), a group that includes electric wheelchairs, three-wheel scooters and four-wheel scooters. Only devices that meet the MMA definition may be used on public roads, and Quebec warns that not every scooter sold meets it.

What counts as an MMA

• Designed for one person, with a seat that cannot be straddled, a backrest, footrest and armrests.
• No pedals, powered by an electric motor, moving on three or four wheels.
• A maximum width of 75 cm including equipment, unless a health professional has prescribed a wider device.
• Not an MMA if it has a closed cabin, has been altered to fit the definition (such as a golf cart) or is home-made.

Speed and where to ride

• Sidewalks: no faster than 10 km/h, adjusting to other users. A scooter (not an electric wheelchair) must have a brake that applies automatically when you release the accelerator.
• Roadway or shoulder: only when there is no sidewalk, bike lane or safe shoulder, for a short distance or to reach a place only accessible that way. Ride at no more than 32 km/h (or the lower speed limit), in the same direction as traffic and as close as possible to the right.
• Not allowed: limited-access roads such as freeways, long distances on roads with limits above 50 km/h, and riding between lanes of moving vehicles.
• Left turns: cross like a pedestrian, in two stages, rather than turning left across traffic.

Compulsory equipment

• Brakes strong enough to stop quickly and hold the device when stationary.
• A white or yellow reflector at the front, a red reflector at the rear and reflectors or strips on each side.
• Scooters must use white front and red rear lights at night, in bad weather, or on roads with limits above 50 km/h (electric wheelchairs are exempt).
• An orange triangular flag, at least 300 square centimetres and at least 150 cm above the ground, on roads with limits above 50 km/h.

Passengers, phones and alcohol

You may not tow a trailer or carry passengers, except a child under five in a restraint system under strict conditions. Scooter users must not use a hand-held phone while moving, may wear only one earphone for navigation or safety, and must not ride while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Quebec treats electric wheelchair users as pedestrians for the phone and headphone rules.

Age limits and licensing

None of the provincial pages we checked sets a minimum age or requires a driving licence to use a mobility scooter. If a child or teenager will use one, check your provincial rules and any local by-laws first.

Insurance

ICBC does not insure mobility scooters, and Quebec’s scooter loan programme requires users to insure the loaned scooter themselves. Even where no insurance is required, liability cover is sensible. Ask your home or tenant insurer whether your policy covers you while using a scooter, and whether theft or damage to the scooter is included.

Where to check the rules where you live

• Your provincial transport ministry or road safety website.
• Your municipality’s by-laws on sidewalks, trails and multi-use paths.
• Your transit operator’s accessibility policy before taking a scooter on a bus or train.

Sources

• Pedestrian safety (ontario.ca)
• Electric wheelchair and mobility scooter rules and safety (gov.bc.ca)
• Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters (icbc.com)
• Owning and Operating a Small Vehicle in Alberta fact sheet (transportation.alberta.ca)
• Motorized mobility aids authorized to use public roads (quebec.ca)
• Rules for riding electric wheelchairs, three-wheel mobility scooters or four-wheel mobility scooters (quebec.ca)
• Mandatory equipment for electric wheelchairs, three-wheel mobility scooters and four-wheel mobility scooters (quebec.ca)
• Mobility scooter program (quebec.ca)

Quick answer: Across Australia, a person using a mobility scooter because they cannot walk or have difficulty walking is treated as a pedestrian, and the key number is 10 km/h: scooters used on footpaths must not go faster. Beyond that, the states differ. NSW, Victoria and Western Australia need no registration or licence for a scooter limited to 10 km/h, while Queensland requires free registration of any mobility scooter used on a footpath or road-related area. Weight limits also vary, from 110 kg in Victoria’s guide to 170 kg in Queensland and South Australia. Checked on official state pages in September 2026.

The rules by state at a glance

State	Speed	Weight limit	Registration and licence
New South Wales	Top speed of 10 km/h on level ground	Not stated on the Transport for NSW scooter page	No registration, third-party insurance or licence needed
Victoria	Must not exceed 10 km/h on level ground on public infrastructure	110 kg unladen (VicRoads guide, November 2020)	Cannot be registered; no licence needed
Queensland	Travel no faster than 10 km/h; device must not be capable of more than 15 km/h	170 kg unladen for a mobility scooter	Free registration required for footpath or road-related area use
South Australia	10 km/h for pedestrian status and footpath use	170 kg unladen for footpath use if capable of more than 10 km/h; 250 kg for the road exemption	Exempt from licence, registration and insurance on the road if conditions are met
Western Australia	Limited to 10 km/h for pedestrian status	Not stated on the Transport WA page	No licence or registration needed if limited to 10 km/h
Tasmania, ACT, NT	Check locally	Check locally	Check with your state or territory transport authority

The common rule: you are a pedestrian

South Australia’s guidance explains the national position clearly: under the Australian Road Rules, a motorised wheelchair that cannot travel faster than 10 km/h and is used by a person who is unable to walk or has difficulty walking is treated as a pedestrian. State pages make clear this covers mobility scooters: Transport for NSW says mobility scooters (or “gophers”) are classified as motorised wheelchairs, and South Australia says a motorised wheelchair is also referred to as a gopher or mobility scooter.

Because you are a pedestrian, pedestrian rules apply. The state pages we checked list the same core duties:

• Use the footpath or nature strip where one is available.
• Where there is no usable footpath, keep as far left or right as you can and face oncoming traffic where practicable.
• Cross by the shortest, safest route, using pedestrian lights or crossings where available.
• Do not cause a traffic hazard or obstruction.

Victoria’s guide adds that mobility devices should only be used by a person with an injury, disability or medical condition that means they cannot walk or have difficulty walking, and that people without such a need are not permitted to use them on a public footpath or road.

New South Wales

Transport for NSW describes mobility scooters as mobility aids with two or more wheels and a top speed of 10 km/h on level ground, built to carry a single person who cannot walk or has trouble walking. You can use one on a shared path, footpath and nature strip. It recommends not travelling on bicycle paths or bicycle lanes, but you may cross them, use a bicycle path where no signs prohibit it, and use a bicycle lane for up to 50 metres.

You do not need to register or get third-party insurance for a mobility scooter in NSW, and you do not need a licence. Faster three-wheeled special mobility vehicles, which a person drives from their wheelchair at normal traffic speeds, are a different category and must be registered and licensed.

Victoria

The VicRoads guide to choosing and using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs (November 2020) lists the key rules under the Road Safety Act and Road Safety Road Rules:

• Motorised mobility devices are not defined as motor vehicles, cannot be registered, and must not be used on roads if a footpath or nature strip is available.
• The maximum speed must not exceed 10 km/h on level ground if they are used on public infrastructure.
• They must have a maximum unladen mass of 110 kg (the device on its own).
• They are designed to carry only one person.
• You do not need a licence, but you must be capable of using the device safely.

Transport Victoria’s current page points to this guide and to fact sheets on choosing a device, safe use and public transport.

Queensland: free registration

Queensland is the exception on paperwork. If you use a motorised mobility device on a footpath or road-related area, it must be registered, and registration is free. There is no minimum age for registration. Visitors to Queensland are exempt, but people moving there must register within 14 days.

To be registered, a mobility scooter must be built to carry a person who cannot walk or has difficulty walking, have an electric motor, be steered by handlebars or a steering wheel, be unable to exceed 15 km/h on level ground under motor power, and have an unladen mass of no more than 170 kg. Scooters over 170 kg cannot be registered.

When riding, Queensland’s rules say you must travel no faster than 10 km/h, use the footpath or nature strip at all times (or keep close to the side of the road, facing oncoming traffic if possible, if they are unsuitable), and not travel alongside more than one other pedestrian or vehicle on the road unless overtaking. You can let another person with mobility difficulties use your device, provided you make them aware of the rules.

South Australia

South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport says a motorised wheelchair (which it says is also called a gopher or mobility scooter) that can travel faster than 10 km/h may only be driven on a footpath if it does not travel faster than 10 km/h, has an unladen mass of no more than 170 kg, and the user has a physical condition with a reasonable need for it.

On the road, a motorised wheelchair is exempt from licence, registration and insurance requirements when driven by a person who reasonably needs it because of a physical infirmity, provided it is specifically designed (not merely adapted) for a person with a disability, seats one person, is capable of short low-speed journeys only and has an unladen mass of no more than 250 kg. Above 250 kg the exemption does not apply. The state recommends a bicycle flag for visibility, and at night bright clothing with a white front light and red rear light.

Western Australia

Transport WA says motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters limited to a top speed of 10 km/h are treated as pedestrian mobility aids, so you do not need a driver’s licence or vehicle registration to use them. Users must follow pedestrian rules, such as using footpaths where possible and crossing roads safely. Its information bulletin IB-115A covers modifications and where you can travel.

Insurance

Most states do not require insurance for a scooter. South Australia notes that most household insurance policies cover legal liability for injury to other people or damage to their property, but that cover for accidental damage to your own scooter is unusual, so ask an insurer if you want it. Transport Victoria also points to specialist mobility insurance and to the RACV’s breakdown service for mobility devices.

Age limits

None of the state pages we checked sets a general minimum age for using a mobility scooter, and Queensland says there is no minimum age for registration. Every state stresses that the user must be capable of operating the device safely.

Where to check

• Your state or territory transport authority’s page on motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
• Your local council for rules on shared paths, parks and charging points.
• Your public transport operator before travelling, as size and weight limits apply on vehicles.

Sources

• Mobility scooters (transport.nsw.gov.au)
• Registering a special mobility vehicle (nsw.gov.au)
• A guide for choosing and using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, November 2020 (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Motorised mobility devices (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Register a motorised mobility device (qld.gov.au)
• Rules for motorised mobility device use (qld.gov.au)
• Motorised wheelchairs (sa.gov.au)
• Motorised wheelchairs (transport.wa.gov.au)