Legal rules tell a mobility scooter user what is required; safe-riding advice covers what makes a journey go well. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) published a guide for scooter users, produced with the support of the Department for Transport, that mixes buying questions with practical riding advice. This article summarises the safe-riding parts of that guide. Its legal section refers to registration with the DVLA, so it reflects the rules in Great Britain, and the current legal position on classes, weight and registration is set out in our guide to what the law requires of a Class 3 scooter. Northern Ireland has its own regulations, covered in our Northern Ireland guide.
Plan the route, not just the destination
RoSPA’s guide says that when going out, particularly on a long or unfamiliar journey, route planning matters because the shortest route is not always the best one: a route can end at steep hills or obstructions that a scooter cannot manage. If a road has to be used, it recommends a route that avoids major roundabouts, busy roads and rush-hour traffic. It also advises leaving plenty of time, especially when using public transport, because getting on and off a bus or train can take longer than expected (RoSPA, “RoSPA’s Guide to Mobility Scooters”).
Kerbs and loads
The guide notes that mobility scooters are not particularly stable when tackling kerbs, so dropped kerbs are recommended to avoid tipping. Where a kerb has to be climbed, it advises approaching at right angles and not attempting kerbs that are too large for the scooter’s wheels, checking the manufacturer’s information. On loads, it says not to carry very heavy luggage and not to hang anything from the handlebars, which makes the scooter unstable and hard to control, and to check the manufacturer’s load limits.
Other habits the guide recommends
- Braking and corners: allow plenty of time to brake and slow for corners, especially on slippery or gravelled surfaces.
- Passengers and pets: only the rider should be on the scooter, with no one on a lap and no pet on a lead, since even a well-behaved animal can be a serious hazard.
- Lap belt: use it if one is fitted.
- Switching off: turn the scooter off before getting off, because clothing or luggage could knock a control.
- Not drinking: the guide says a scooter should not be used after drinking alcohol.
Sharing the pavement and parking
RoSPA says scooter users share pavement space with walkers and should watch for pedestrians. In crowded areas it recommends driving more slowly than 4 mph so people have time to move and the rider can weave round them, and checking surroundings before moving off or changing direction. On parking, it says to follow normal parking rules and to avoid leaving a scooter where it is likely to get in the way of pedestrians, wheelchairs or prams. If the road becomes too busy or feels unsafe, the guide suggests switching to the 4 mph mode and using the pavement.
On the road: Class 3 scooters
For Class 3 scooters, the guide advises avoiding busy roads because the scooter is smaller and more vulnerable than most other vehicles. It states that scooters must not be used on motorways, bus lanes, cycle lanes or cycle paths marked “cycle only”, and that a dual carriageway is not recommended but legal if the scooter has a flashing orange beacon. Its visibility advice is to use headlights and rear lights when it is dark or visibility is reduced, to consider reflective clothing such as a hi-viz vest, to indicate before changing lane or direction, and to look out for opening car doors when passing parked cars. Instead of turning right on the road, it suggests it may be safer to enter the pavement and use a pedestrian crossing. Anyone unsure about the current legal requirements for lights, indicators and dual carriageways should check the rules on GOV.UK.
Batteries, servicing and training
The guide advises following the manufacturer’s charging recommendations and ensuring a full charge before a long or unfamiliar journey. It says range depends on surfaces, the weight carried, tyre pressure, lighting and weather, and that batteries perform less well in cold weather. It says a battery should last between 12 and 36 months depending on use and care, that servicing is recommended every 12 months, and that the Department for Transport recommends a thorough annual safety check covering tyre pressure, clean and working lights, and clean, unobstructed mirrors. For training, it says that anyone using a scooter for the first time, or after a long gap, should seek some, particularly for Class 3 use on the road, and it names See & Scoot, a free 20-minute hazard perception video for new and existing users.
Questions readers often ask
Is this guide the law?
No. It is safety advice, with a section summarising legal requirements. The binding rules are in legislation and are summarised on GOV.UK.
Does the advice apply to Class 2 scooters?
The route-planning, kerb, load and pavement advice applies to any scooter. The road section is marked for Class 3 scooters only.
The bottom line
RoSPA’s guide treats safe scooter use as a matter of planning and habit: choose routes with dropped kerbs and without steep or busy stretches, approach kerbs at right angles, keep loads off the handlebars, slow down among pedestrians, park clear of prams and wheelchairs, and take training before starting on the road. Its legal section reflects Great Britain and is best read alongside the current GOV.UK rules.
Sources
- RoSPA, “RoSPA’s Guide to Mobility Scooters” (PDF) (rospa.com)
- GOV.UK, “Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs”