Photo: Eleanore Stohner / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can legally use some roads in Great Britain. Class 3 vehicles can travel at up to 8 mph on the road and 4 mph on the pavement, and they must not use motorways. Highway Code Rules 36 to 46 set the rules for users; Rule 220 tells drivers what to expect. This explainer covers both, so you know what you may meet as a learner or new driver and how to pass safely.
Key facts
- Class 2: top speed 4 mph (6 km/h), designed for pavements.
- Class 3: top speed 8 mph (12 km/h), can be used on the road and the pavement.
- Pavement limit: 4 mph (6 km/h) for all, including in pedestrian areas.
- Motorways: must not be used.
- Dual carriageways over 50 mph: should not be used. If they are, a flashing amber beacon is required.
Class 2 and Class 3: what is the difference?
| Class 2 | Class 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 4 mph (6 km/h) | 8 mph (12 km/h) |
| Where used | Pavements. On the road only where there is no pavement. | Roads and pavements (switched to 4 mph on pavements) |
| Direction on the road | With the traffic where possible | With the flow of traffic |
Manual wheelchairs are Class 1. All users follow the rules for other vehicles on the road and the rules for pedestrians on the pavement (Rule 37). On the pavement, users should give pedestrians priority, especially people with impaired sight or hearing who may not know they are there (Rule 38). When moving onto the road, they should look round first, use a dropped kerb where possible, and take any kerb at right angles (Rule 40).
What users must do on the road (Rules 41 to 46)
- Lights: must be used at night. Lights, indicators and horns follow the same rules as other vehicles.
- Visibility: users are advised to wear reflective items, even in daytime and at dusk.
- Junctions: to turn right, a user can stop on the left and wait for a gap, or cross as a pedestrian.
- Big roundabouts: with two or more lanes, users should use the pavement or avoid the roundabout.
- Parking: normal parking rules apply, and Blue Badge concessions apply to vehicles showing a valid badge.
- Motorways: not allowed (Rule 46, and also listed in Rule 253).
- Dual carriageways: should not be used where the limit is over 50 mph. A flashing amber beacon is required there and on any other dual carriageway.
What drivers should do (Rule 220)
Rule 220 reminds drivers these vehicles travel at no more than 8 mph. On a dual carriageway with a limit over 50 mph they must show a flashing amber beacon, but on other roads you get no such warning.
- Expect them. Look for small, slow vehicles on the road where there is no pavement, near shops and in towns.
- Judge the closing speed. At 30 mph you approach an 8 mph scooter much faster than a cyclist.
- Overtake with room. Only pass when you can give plenty of space and see the road ahead is clear. General rules: overtaking rules.
- Watch at junctions. A user turning right may stop on the left to wait for a gap, or cross as a pedestrian.
- Do not park across dropped kerbs. Users rely on them to get on and off the pavement (Rule 40).
- Flashing amber beacon ahead on a dual carriageway? It is a slow vehicle. Check mirrors early and change lanes in good time.
Scenario: narrow road with no pavement
A Class 3 scooter is in the road ahead, travelling the same way as you, and oncoming traffic means you cannot pass with enough room. Hold back and wait for a gap with enough room, rather than squeezing past. Hierarchy of road users rules apply: see Rules H1, H2 and H3.
Common questions
Can mobility scooters go on the road?
Class 3 scooters can, at up to 8 mph. Class 2 should use the pavement and only use the road where there is none.
What is the speed limit for a mobility scooter on the pavement?
4 mph (6 km/h), for every class.
Can mobility scooters use the motorway?
No. Rule 46 and Rule 253 say they must not.
Can a mobility scooter use a dual carriageway?
Not where the limit is over 50 mph. If it does use one, it must have a flashing amber beacon, and one is required on all other dual carriageways too.
Do they need lights?
Yes, at night.
Why does this matter for the theory test?
Questions on vulnerable road users can include powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. See the vulnerable road users topic.
Related: road users requiring extra care and Highway Code rules for pedestrians. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.
Sources
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters (36 to 46)” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Motorways (253 to 274)” (gov.uk)