9 Mobility Scooter Questions Answered
Do you own a mobility/handicap scooter or planning to get one but have some questions in mind about it? Here are nine questions that people often asked regarding mobility scooters along with their answers.

Can people under 18 years old ride a mobility scooter? Is there an age restriction?

People who are disabled or cannot walk or cannot walk very far are allowed to use mobility scooter just as they are allowed to use a manual and power wheelchair. This is a mobility aid that we’re talking about so anyone who needs it has the right to use it regardless of their age. The only thing that matters is whether you can sit on it and have the ability to operate it properly and responsibly.

Is riding a mobility scooter on public roads allowed by the law?

No it is not. You can ride the scooter on the sidewalks or pavements but not the road. If you need to cross the road like any other pedestrian then you are obviously allowed to go on the road but that’s it.

Are 4 wheels better than 3 wheels? It depends on your needs. If you need a scooter for outdoor activities a 4 wheeled mobility scooter is preferable but for indoors a 3 wheeled scooter is better since it has better manoeuvrability and smaller turning radius.

My scooter won’t speed up when going downhill. Is it broken?

Many people think it is one of those annoying mobility scooter problems but it is not. It is a safety feature to prevent the rider from going to fast and hurt himself and others. In case you haven’t notice a mobility scooter is an aid for people who could not walk or have trouble walking.

If it moves too fast when going downhill and tip over that would certainly be dangerous for the rider especially when no one else is around to provide help. One thing to remember, mobility scooter is NOT a leisure vehicle and the rider should not think of it as such. Speeding on a mobility scooter is foolish, dangerous and makes people think that all mobility scooter users are just spoiled bunch.

My scooter battery seems to lose charge faster than it should. What to do?

First, check the cables on the battery. Tighten any loose ones in clean them too. Dirty cables might be the main cause for the ‘battery power loss’. If that doesn’t help check the battery charger. If it’s broken then it would not charge the battery fully. If the charger is still in good condition then you should find a technician to check it out. The battery could be broken and could no hold the power charge.

I have a mobility scooter and I want to buy a car big enough to carry it. Is there any good ones out there?

You can either get a truck or a van. There are many vans big enough to transport mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. Some examples are Chevy Uplander, Ford Windstar, Ford Galaxy, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Tundra, etc. When you do buy one remember to add a mobility scooter lift/ramp so it would be easier for you to transport it in one piece.

Is insurance for handicap scooters required?

It depends on your local law but an electric mobility scooter is usually not required to have insurance. However it is highly recommended to have one just in case you broke it or it gets stolen or you hit someone/something and need to pay for the damages. Most of the times when bad things happen a simple sorry won’t do and digging your pocket is the only solution.

The good thing about having mobility scooter insurance is that you won’t have to dig very deep. is that you won’t have to dig very deep.

Can I take my scooter on a plane?

In air transport a mobility scooter is considered as extra baggage so if you’re willing to pay the extra charges then they will carry the scooter. Each airline will definitely have their own requirements but usually you will need to take off the batteries or disassemble it. Talk to the customer service just to be sure what the requirements details are. Also check if there’s a wheelchair/mobility scooter rental in the place you’re going to go. It might be a more feasible solution than carrying one with you.

Where can I give away my used handicap scooter?

Have you tried searching for someone who needs it in your neighborhood? Ask around. You might be surprise that there’s someone around the corner who really need it. If you can’t find any go to your local charity/religious group, retirement homes. And as a final resort you could try sell it on eBay.

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