Can anyone use a mobility scooter?

With petrol prices remaining at record levels and wages being frozen for several years, many people in the UK are looking for a cheaper mode of transport for their daily commute.

Not surprisingly, a few might be considering whether or not they could use a mobility scooter?

Sadly not. Unlike the ill-fated Sinclair C5 of the mid 1980s, mobility scooters are classed as invalid carriages.

So, whilst the larger Class 3 8mph scooters may be road legal, they can only be used by a non-disabled person in the following circumstances:

• to demonstrate a scooter for sale
• to give instruction to a disabled person
• to transport the mobility scooter for repairs or servicing

An otherwise fine plan scuppered, eh?

Not to worry. Although you cannot use a mobility scooter as a vehicle if you're not disabled, there are other cheaper alternatives to cars.

If you're travelling less than 25 miles a day, an electric bike may be the answer. And before you complain about the British weather, take a look at this blog article about cycling in Denmark.

Mobility Scooter Hire, Blackpool

Blackpool Tower: Image by photoeverywhere.co.uk

Planning a visit to Blackpool or the Fylde Coast this summer and don't want the hassle of bringing your own mobility scooter?

Why not hire a mobility scooter from Read Mobility Workshop instead?

We offer very affordable rates for mobility scooter hire in Blackpool, Fleetwood, Thornton-Cleveleys, St Annes, Bispham and Lytham.

We're available 7 days a week, have a wide range of scooters to choose from and can deliver and collect the mobility scooter to and from your accommodation if required.

All hire comes with free insurance for your piece of mind. 

In addition to mobility scooters, we also offer manual and powered wheelchairs for hire.

If you've never hired a scooter before, read through our Tips for hiring a Mobility Scooter page for things to look out for.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Can I drive a mobility scooter on the motorway?

Whilst the answer to our last FAQ (Can I use a mobility scooter on the road?) might have been 'yes', the answer to this question is definitely 'NO'.

No, you cannot drive a mobility scooter on the motorway under any circumstances.

As with sit-on lawnmowers, powered wheelchairs, mopeds, segways, quad bikes, electric push bikes and old fashioned milk floats, the law is very clear. No, no and no!

Safety First

As with a car, mobility scooter users who drive on the road must follow the highway code at all times.

Dangerous drivers of mobility scooters can be prosecuted under the law in the same way as any other road user.

Fortunately for the owner of the over-laden mobility scooter and the driver filming him, there were no traffic police about when this clip was made:

Otherwise, they may both have found themselves in court!

Can I use a mobility scooter on the road?

As mobility scooters gain popularity, many people want to know whether or not they can be used on UK roads.

The answer depends on the mobility scooter itself. If the mobility scooter is a "Class 3" with a maximum speed of  8mph, you should be able to drive it on the road.

When buying a new or second-hand mobility scooter, the seller should be able to advise whether or not it is suitable.

For anyone who isn't sure however, we hope this article will be of some use. 

Roadworthiness

As class 3 scooters can be used on the road, the law requires them to have a number of additional features as standard.

Class 3 mobility scooters must be or have:

• Maximum speed of 8mph
• Ability to limit speed to 4mph for pavement use
• Efficient braking system
• An audible horn
• Front and rear lights, along with reflectors
• Direction indicators to signal turning and capable of a hazard warning signal
• One or more mirrors allowing for a rear view
• Maximum unladen weight of 150kg
• Maximum width of 85cm
• Amber flashing light if it will be used on a dual carriageway
• Registered with the DVLA and carrying a 'nil value' tax disc
• Driver aged 14 or over

You do not need to take a driving test to drive a mobility scooter on the road, but like a cyclist, you still must adhere to the highway code.

At present, a class 3 scooter does not require an annual MOT as would a car, but we would strongly recommend regular servicing of your mobility scooter to ensure roadworthiness.

Perhaps also surprisingly, it isn't currently a legal requirement to have insurance for your scooter, but again we'd highly recommend it. Otherwise you could be liable for costly claims for personal injury and damage to other vehicles.

Where Can I Drive?

Although you can drive on the road in a class 3 scooter, you cannot drive in bus lanes, any 'cycle only' cycle lanes and most definitely not on the motorway.

We wouldn't recommended it due to the speed of other vehicles, but you can use a dual carriageway provided that your scooter carries an amber flashing light to warn other users of your presence.

Finally, when using the pavement, you must switch your scooter down to its 4mph restricted setting. If your scooter does not allow this, it is not suitable for use on the pavement.

Tips for hiring a Mobility Scooter

When you're off on holiday it can often be a pain to transport your mobility scooter with you. Most scooters are bulky and not suited to car or train journeys and definitely not plane travel.

Whether you're visiting Blackpool (where we live) or Lanzarote, it makes sense therefore to hire a mobility scooter, rather than struggling with your own.

There are a few things however, that you need to consider when renting one.

Mobility Scooter Hire Advice

These handy tips should help to make sure your holiday is trouble free.

• Insurance - Does the cost of hire include mobility scooter insurance and if so, what does it cover and what is the excess?
  
  Make sure that you're covered if you injure someone, damage the scooter and / or public property or if it is stolen. Otherwise it could turn out to be a very expensive holiday!

• Operating Hours - Are they available seven days a week? Can you hire the scooter on any day and perhaps more importantly, is there someone you can call if it goes wrong?
  
  If you hire the scooter from a shop that's only open 9am - 5pm on weekdays, how do you return it if you're going home on the Sunday? And what if the battery dies on Saturday?

• Delivery / Collection - Do they offer a delivery and collection service to and from your hotel, guesthouse or caravan park?
  
  This means you don't have to travel to their premises before you book into your accommodation or drop it off on your way home.

• Hidden Charges - Look out for any hidden extras, particularly with cheap foreign hirers when travelling abroad.
  
  Plus, be aware of any penalty charges for things like late return.

• Scooter Range - Ask the range of the scooter you'll be hiring. When on holiday, you tend to get about quite a bit more than you might normally during the day.
  
  Make sure the scooters they offer are up to the task.

• Hotel Suitability - Finally, verify that your hotel, guesthouse or other accommodation has facilities for mobility scooters.
  
  Do they have access ramps, a sheltered area to leave it overnight and somewhere to charge it?

If you think we've missed anything, why not comment below and we'll add it to the list.

Read Mobility Workshop

If by any chance you're visiting Blackpool or anywhere else on the Fylde Coast such as Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Bispham, St Annes or Lytham, the good news is that Read Mobility Workshop score well on all of the above

All our hire scooters come with insurance, a good range and delivery and collection if you require it. We operate 7 days a week and can even suggest local hotels which are mobility scooter friendly.

Sadly though, if you're planning a trip to Lanzarote, that's a little out of our range!

Wheelchair Hire, Blackpool

When you're on holiday in Blackpool or anywhere else, it is nice to be able to get about easily.

Whether you use a wheelchair at home, but don't want the hassle of bringing it with you or you just want the freedom a wheelchair will give you to travel greater distances, hiring a wheelchair from Read Mobility Workshop couldn't be simpler.

With very reasonable daily rates, we operate 7 days a week and offer a delivery and collection service to and from your hotel, guesthouse or caravan park in the Fylde Coast area.

So, if you're looking for wheelchair hire in Blackpool or any of the Fylde Coast's other resorts such as Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Bispham, St Annes or Lytham give Read Mobility Workshop a call.

As well as manual wheelchairs, we also have mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs for hire.

Mobility Scooter FAQs

As well as using this blog to promote the services of Read Mobility Workshop, we'll also be attempting to answer some of the more common questions regarding mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.

So, if you've been scouring the internet for some mobility scooter FAQs, you may well have come to the right place.

If you have a question regarding mobility scooters, why not post it below and we'll attempt to provide or direct you to an answer?

Or if you live in Blackpool or around the Fylde Coast in Lancashire and you're looking for mobility scooter hire, repairs, servicing or sales, why not call our workshop?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of our FAQs so far:

• Can I use a mobility scooter on the road?
• Can I drive a mobility scooter on the motorway? 
• Can anyone use a mobility scooter?