Mobility scooters - what you need to know

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Mobility scooters - what you need to know

Do I need to register my invalid carriage?

Under the Use of Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988 invalid carriages are separated into 3 categories:

Class 1

Manual wheelchairs, i.e. self-propelled or attendant propelled, not electrically propelled. These are not required to be registered with DVLA.

Class 2

Powered wheelchairs and scooters – intended for footway use only with a maximum speed of 4mph and an unladen weight not exceeding 113.4kgs. These are not required to be registered with DVLA.

Class 3

Mechanically propelled invalid carriages that are constructed or adapted to be capable of exceeding a speed of 4mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8mph on the level under its own power (generally powered wheelchairs and other outdoor vehicles including scooters intended for use on roads/highways). They must be fitted with a device capable of limiting the maximum speed to 4mph for use when travelling on footways. The unladen weight must not exceed 150kgs. These are required to be registered with DVLA.

How to I apply to register my class 3 invalid carriage.

Class 3 invalid carriages need to be registered for road use, be licensed in the "disabled" taxation class and display a nil duty tax disc. Unlike ordinary cars, invalid carriages do not need to provide evidence of VED exemption when licensing in the disabled class. Also, they are exempt from paying the first registration fee and are not required to display registration plates.

In order to register and license a class 3 invalid carriage the user will need to complete form V55/5 (for used vehicles) or V55/4 (for new vehicles) - and take or send it to their nearest DVLA local office (addresses can be found on the website at

www.direct.gov.uk/motoring or in the V100 information leaflet which is available from post offices that issue tax discs or by telephoning 0870 243 0444 – you will need to quote your postcode). Evidence of the vehicle’s age (if available) will need to be submitted with the application together with documentation confirming the keeper’s name and address.

Should I have insurance?

Although it is not a legal requirement, it is strongly advised to have insurance. Suitable schemes are not too expensive and are available to cover your personal safety, other people’s safety and the value of the vehicle.

Where can I get further advice about the use of invalid carriages?

Useful information can be found at:

Department of Transport at www.dft.gov.uk

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/index.htm

www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/invalid_vehicles.aspx?ext=dg

Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 - Guidance

The Below links are to PDF file on this website, but the below and more can be found on the above links:

A Survey of Occupied Wheelchairs and Scooters 2005

Carriage of Mobility Scooters on Public Transport

Code of practice for Class 3 vehicle users www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/tipws/codeofpracticeforclass3vehic6165

Insurance Firms Offering Insurance for Wheelchairs or Scooters

Review of Class 2 and Class 3 Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Scooters (Invalid Carriages)

Final Report on Stage 1

Review of Class 2 and Class 3 Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Scooters (Invalid Carriages)2

Final Report on Stage 2

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses/DG_4022044

Motoring

Vehicle tax for disabled people

If you’re a disabled person you may be exempt from paying vehicle excise duty (vehicle tax) if you are in receipt of the higher rate of mobility of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), War Pensioners Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or have an invalid carriage.

If you have entitlement to one of the above benefits you may be entitled to a free tax disc for your vehicle. Once you have your first free tax disc, subsequent applications can be made through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) online and telephone vehicle licensing services, or at a licence issuing Post Office® branch or DVLA local office.

What you need to know

the exemption can only be claimed for one vehicle at a time
you must pay vehicle tax on any additional vehicles
you can nominate someone else (a nominee) to drive for you. But the car must:
be registered either to you or your nominee
only be used for your benefit (for example shopping or getting prescriptions)
be insured for the nominee or anyone else who drives the vehicle for your purposes

How to claim exemption if you are getting DLA or WPMS

Before you can get a free tax disc, you will need to apply for an exemption certificate from the Agency that issued the benefit. The process is slightly different for some Motability customers (see 'Motability Contract Hire Vehicles' below).

If you have nominated someone to use their car for your purposes, the exemption certificate will need to show your name and that of the nominee.

If you get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA
Contact the agency below and ask for exemption certificate DLA 404.

Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate
Disability and Carers Service
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill
Blackpool
FY2 0YE

Tel: 0845 712 3456

Hearing impaired Minicom users:

Tel: 0845 722 4433

If you get the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Contact the agency below and ask for exemption certificate WPA 442.

Veterans Agency
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP

Tel: 0800 169 2277

Hearing impaired Minicom users:

Tel: 0800 169 3458

Motability Contract Hire vehicles
If you are on the Motability Contract Hire scheme in Great Britain, Motability will register and license your vehicle for you. They will hold the Vehicle Registration Certificate for the duration of you contract with them. Motability will also arrange for you car to be taxed annually in the disabled taxation class and will send you your new tax disc. This means that you will no longer need to apply for an exemption certificate in order to tax your vehicle. It is therefore very important that you tell Motability to any changes to your address or circumstances. NOTE: The “Use” restrictions above also apply if you have a Motability vehicle. Motability intends making it a condition of their scheme that all contract hire vehicles are licensed in the Disabled class. If you feel that you are unable to meet the use restrictions above then you must notify Motability so that the appropriate rate of vehicle excise duty can be paid.

More about the Motability scheme

How to claim exemption if you have an invalid carriage

You do not need to be in receipt of a disability benefit or apply for an exemption certificate in order to get a free tax disc for an invalid carriage.

Your invalid carriage will need to be registered with the DVLA and you will be entitled to a free tax disc if the vehicle:

weighs less than 509kg
is adapted, used or kept on a road for a disabled person

However, your invalid carriage does not need to be registered or display a tax disc if it:

weighs less than 113.4kg
is for foot-way use only
has a maximum speed of 4 mph

What you need to remember

if you sell the vehicle or your entitlement ends, you should return the disabled tax disc to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AL or to a DVLA local office
the exemption certificate is only valid until the expiry date shown on it
if the certificate has expired, is full, or has been lost, a replacement must be obtained from the Agency that issued the exemption certificate before you apply for your free tax disc
each time you apply for a free tax disc the entitlement certificate will be completed and stamped by the clerk at the issuing office
each time you renew your free tax disc using DVLA’s online or telephone releiceinsing services, the DVLA will make an electronic check of your entitlement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Veterans Agency
if any of your personal details change eg name or address, you must return the certificate to the Agency that issued it for amendment
the certificate is not valid if any alterations are made to it
if your benefit ends, your exemption certificate should be returned to the Agency that issued it
if you are in hospital for more than 28 days (84 for children), the exemption from vehicle tax still applies - the vehicle must continue to be used for your direct purposes

Obtaining your free disabled tax disc

If you have entitlement to disability exemption, where and how you obtain your first free tax disc, will depend on the documents you have to hand.

If you already have a disabled tax disc and provided you are the registered keeper of your vehicle, you can renew your disabled tax disc online, over the phone, in person or by post.

More about obtaining your free disabled tax disc