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Registering scooters for road use
DVLA clarify position of class 3 models
HE DVLA (Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Agency)
has confirmed that all Class
3 powered wheelchairs
and scooters (capable of
speeds of up to 8mph)
must be registered for road
use, licensed in the exempt
'disabled' taxation class and
display a nil duty vehicle
licence (tax disk).Class 2 scooters are exempt.
Ray Hodgkinson, director general of the British Healthcare Trades Association, which sought clarifi cation of the rules from the DVLA, told Mobility Today magazine: 'This response goes some way to clarify the current uncertainty for scooter drivers and retailers, brought to a head by recent publicity and the apparent lack of safety checks or controls for these vehicles.
'However, we also need to get the method of registering greatly simplified and we are also calling for industry exemption from FSA (Financial Services Agency) regulation, which would allow dealers to offer insurance to users more freely.'
The BHTA is also urging the Department of Transport (DoT) to take immediate steps to implement the recommendations of its own review of Class 2 and Class 3 powered
Free copies are available extending the Road Traffic
Act sections dealing with
drivers under the infl uence of
drugs or alcohol and the use
of mobile phones to Class 2
and 3 vehicles the development of
a simple fi tness to drive
assessment, covering eyesight
tests, ability to control the
vehicle and a measure of
cognitive/judgement abilities plus improvements to
the provision of advice and
training to potential users
THE BHTA
Founded in 1917, the British Healthcare Trades
Association (BHTA) is the UK's oldest and largest trade
association in the assistive technologies and healthcare
market. It has more than 350 member companies
employing more than 17,000 people. Members are
both large and small businesses across the many and
varied non-pharmaceutical sectors of the healthcare
industry. They provide products and services to those
with special physical and healthcare needs in the NHS
and in care homes and to people in their own homes
via BHTA mobility retailers. Sections include mobility,
rehabilitation, prosthetics and orthotics, stairlifts, stoma
care, emergency care, health and safety training, seating
and visual impairment.
All Class 3 scooters must be registered for road useRay Hodgkinson added: 'Our dealer members have long advised customers buying scooters on their safe use on the road, and our leafl et: 'Get wise to using electric scooters and wheelchairs - a highway code for users', written by a scooter user, is one of our most popular, helping users to negotiate our roads and pavements more safely.
'But we would welcome the opportunity to work more closely with the DoT to develop a more comprehensive guide and even a short obligatory training course for purchasers, along the lines of that required for all motor bike riders.
'In the meantime, until we get answers to the issues we have raised, we are informing all our dealer members that they are legally obliged to inform their customers of the need to register their Class 3 vehicles with the DVLA and obtain a licence.
'The DVLA tell us that any vehicle that is licensed in the 'disabled' taxation class is exempt from a registration fee. Also, although there is currently no legal requirement to have insurance, we recommend that users should take out cover for third party damages for fire, theft etc if they are able to do so' he said.
FACTS & FIGURES
Scooter Class 1, 2 and
3 classifications
Class 3 scooters are 'mechanically propelled invalid carriages' capable of exceeding a speed of 4mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8mph on the level under their own power. They must be fitted with a device to limit the maximum speed to 4mph when travelling on footways. Class 2 scooters are powered wheelchairs and scooters intended for footway use only with a maximum speed of 4mph. Class 1 are manual wheelchairs.
Registration and licensing requirements for invalid carriages
The DVLA says that in order to first register and license a class 3 invalid carriage, the user needs 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 in DVLA's information leaflet V100 - available from post offices that issue tax discs - and on the DVLA website). Evidence of the vehicle's age (or newness) needs to be submitted with the application together with documentation confirming the keeper's name and address. The number to call at the DVLA to get the forms is 0870 850 0007 and the website is www.dvla.gov.uk Owners of mobility scooters who fail to register their vehicles will face fines.
Get Wise to using electric scooters and wheelchairs - a highway code for users
Copies are available from the BHTA. Tel: 020 7702 2141, email or go to www.bhta.com
Class 3 scooters are 'mechanically propelled invalid carriages' capable of exceeding a speed of 4mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8mph on the level under their own power. They must be fitted with a device to limit the maximum speed to 4mph when travelling on footways. Class 2 scooters are powered wheelchairs and scooters intended for footway use only with a maximum speed of 4mph. Class 1 are manual wheelchairs.
Registration and licensing requirements for invalid carriages
The DVLA says that in order to first register and license a class 3 invalid carriage, the user needs 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 in DVLA's information leaflet V100 - available from post offices that issue tax discs - and on the DVLA website). Evidence of the vehicle's age (or newness) needs to be submitted with the application together with documentation confirming the keeper's name and address. The number to call at the DVLA to get the forms is 0870 850 0007 and the website is www.dvla.gov.uk Owners of mobility scooters who fail to register their vehicles will face fines.
Get Wise to using electric scooters and wheelchairs - a highway code for users
Copies are available from the BHTA. Tel: 020 7702 2141, email or go to www.bhta.com
