Mobility scooters

Keeping your drivers license can be a significant help with mobility and independence, there are other strategies you can use to stay mobile.

If driving is no longer possible, access to alternative transport and mobility is needed.

If you have limited mobility, or are unable or unwilling to drive a car, a mobility scooter or power chair is a great way to get you where you want to go safely.

Mobility scooters

Mobility scooters and power chairs are legally defined as ‘wheeled mobility devices’.

You don’t need a driver's licence to operate a wheeled mobility device, nor are they required to have a warrant of fitness or registration. However, there are some important legal requirements.

• You must operate your mobility scooter or power chair in a careful and considerate manner.
• You must use the footpath when one is readily accessible, and stay close to the side of the road where a footpath is not readily accessible.
• When on the footpath, you mustn’t travel at a speed that endangers others.
• It’s illegal for you to ride, or let any person ride, in a way that may cause you or them injury.
• If you are involved in a crash, you must stop to see if anyone is injured, help anyone who is injured and report the crash to the Police within 24 hours.
• Careless use of a mobility scooter or power chair does carry legal implications including fines or severe penalties if you should cause injury or death.

Resources

Neil Hatcher and Patricia Kerei of Age Concern Flaxmere worked with Land Transport New Zealand to expand and update our popular resource on mobility options for older people.

If you use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, or are considering getting one, this booklet is for you. It contains practical advice on your rights and responsibilities, and safety and maintenance tips.

Download the Keeping Mobile booklet (PDF, 0.74 MB)

Land Transport New Zealand also has a web page with all the information contained in the booklet.

Call 0800 699 000 or write to Keeping Mobile, Land Transport NZ, PO Box 2840, Wellington for more information.