Class 2 and class 3 powered wheelchairs: the UK rules

Who can use a powered wheelchair

GOV.UK says you can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability or medical condition - or if you are taking it for repair, testing it as the manufacturer, demonstrating it before sale or training a disabled user. If none of these applies and you have an accident, you could face the same penalties as a car driver.

Official source: GOV.UK: who can use them (opens in a new tab)

The classes

The Highway Code describes a manual wheelchair as a class 1 invalid carriage. Powered wheelchairs and scooters fall into class 2 or class 3.

Some vehicles are not in any class. GOV.UK says that is the case if a vehicle can go faster than 8 mph, is wider than 0.85 metres, or weighs more than 150 kg (200 kg if it carries equipment you need, such as medical equipment). These can only be used on the road, need a driving licence and must be registered with DVLA.

• Class 2: maximum speed of 4 mph (6 km/h); designed for pavements
• Class 3: maximum speed of 8 mph (12 km/h); equipped for the road as well as pavements; must be registered with DVLA
• Not in a class: over 8 mph, over 0.85 m wide or over 150 kg - road only, licence and registration needed

Official sources: GOV.UK: classes explained (opens in a new tab)The Highway Code, rules 36 to 46 (opens in a new tab)

On pavements

Only class 2 and class 3 vehicles can go on pavements, footpaths, bridleways and other pedestrian areas, and the maximum speed there is 4 mph. You must give way to pedestrians and drive considerately. The Highway Code tells class 3 users to switch to the lower speed setting on pavements.

Normal parking restrictions apply, and you should not leave a chair where it blocks other pedestrians, including other wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

Official source: GOV.UK: pavements, footpaths and parking (opens in a new tab)

On the road

To drive on the road, a vehicle must be class 3 or not in a class. GOV.UK lists what it must have, and says you could be stopped by the police if these are missing.

• A maximum speed of at least 8 mph
• An efficient braking system
• A clear view of the road ahead
• Front and rear lights and reflectors
• Direction indicators that can work as hazard warning lights
• A rear-view mirror
• An audible horn

Official source: GOV.UK: driving on the road (opens in a new tab)

Where you cannot go

You cannot use a powered wheelchair on motorways, in bus lanes or in cycle lanes painted on the road. Class 2 and 3 vehicles can use cycle tracks that are separated from the road. GOV.UK says to avoid dual carriageways with a speed limit over 50 mph, and you must use a flashing amber light if you do use one; the Highway Code also recommends an amber light on other dual carriageways.

Official source: Highway Code rules 36 to 46 (opens in a new tab)

Registration, tax and insurance

Class 3 vehicles, and those not in a class, must be registered with DVLA. There is no vehicle tax to pay if it is registered as a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. GOV.UK says the dealer will usually register a new vehicle for you; if not, you can use form V55/MV and should receive a log book (V5C) within four weeks.

Insurance is not a legal requirement for class 2 or class 3 vehicles, but GOV.UK recommends it. A vehicle that is not in a class must be insured if its total weight is over 254 kg.

Official source: GOV.UK: tax, registration and insurance (opens in a new tab)

Eyesight

For class 2 and class 3 vehicles, GOV.UK says you should be able to read a car number plate from 12.3 metres (40 feet). For vehicles not in a class the standard is 20 metres (65.5 feet). You can be prosecuted if you have an accident because of poor eyesight.

Official source: GOV.UK: eyesight requirements (opens in a new tab)

What about XSTO chairs?

In the material we read, XSTO does not state a UK class for any of its chairs, so we do not assign one. What the published figures do show is this: the M4 and M4 Pro have a quoted top speed of 6 km/h, and the M8, M8 Pro and X12 series go up to 12 km/h. A chair capable of more than 4 mph still has to be kept to 4 mph on pavements.

If you are buying in the UK, ask the seller to confirm in writing which class the chair is supplied as, whether it needs DVLA registration, and - for road use - whether it has every item on the GOV.UK list.

Northern Ireland

The Highway Code for Northern Ireland has equivalent rules 36 to 46 for powered wheelchairs and scooters, including the same 4 mph and 8 mph class limits.

Official source: Highway Code for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)

Questions