Are Mobility Scooters Allowed on the Road?

Each of us has many questions at the beginning of using any transport. Owners of specialized vehicles also have many unresolved issues. For example, are mobility scooters allowed on the road? How fast can you drive? Every incapable citizen needs to know all the nuances. So, in this paragraph, you will learn the answer. It affects your peace and confidence on the roads.

Where Should I Ride? What Does It Depend on?

Questions about where you can ride a small vehicle are very common. Many people ask if it is possible to drive a mobility scooter on the road, sidewalks, or in shops. Of course, we need to understand all the nuances to avoid unpleasant situations. After all, each state, as you know, can set its own rules. I always think it’s wise to find out the laws of the area where you’re going to drive first. Only then you will be able to feel completely confident in your vehicle.

Depending on the class of your scooter, you are allowed to drive in a particular place. For example, 2nd and 3rd grade differ significantly in driving rules. Their speed is distinctive. The 2^nd-grade tool rides 4 miles per hour, and the 3rd grade – 8 miles. So, the first ones can only ride on the pavement. The second may drive on the roads but only in compliance with traffic rules and the presence of all the features. For example, drivers should take into account weight (up to 150 kg), width (0.85 m), speed (up to 8 mph), lights, horns, brakes, and others.

Go on Highway

I think you should first find out what is the class of your scooter, based on my previous words. Most state laws allow the movement of 3-level transport. In turn, you should have other features, affecting the fact that your mobility scooters are road legal. You will not be able to exceed a speed of eight miles, even if your vehicle can go faster. The driver must follow all traffic rules as other drivers. I think that driving on an open track on such scooters is very dangerous. You will not be able to predict various traffic accidents. Diverse events on the roads can significantly affect your health and even your life.

Go on Sidewalks

You can ride on the pavement in any class of transport. However, you cannot:

• exceed four miles per hour;
• obstruct the movement of pedestrians;
• take into account people with baby carriages, etc.

In general, you should behave like a pedestrian due to the culture of behavior, traffic, and road rules for mobility scooters.

Go on Bus Lanes or Bicycle Paths

Only sidewalks and roads are permitted areas for driving. Therefore, it is not necessary to break rules and go by a bus line. The same goes for the bike path. It is not designed for your scooter or wheelchair. The speed and width of your vehicle are not suitable for driving in such special places.

Should I Have a Scooter License?

Many scooter owners ask, ‘do I need a license to operate a mobility scooter.’ The answer is simple – No! However, it’s not in all cases. The speed of such means of transportation is very low. Therefore, the license is unnecessary for any class of scooter. Despite this, some states require such a license to travel on the road.

Registration is required. I had a case where the police stopped the old man on a scooter and checked his registration. I advise everyone to take short training courses before driving. Haven’t you driven any vehicles yet? Learn online about such courses. They will be useful for you.

US States Laws for Mobility Scooters

Almost all states have similar mobility scooter laws. However, sometimes there are differences, for example, in the availability of a license, driving on sidewalks or roads. I made a table where I listed all states with the laws of the motorized vehicle.

USA State	Laws
Alabama	License A helmet
Alaska	License Registration
Arizona	Liability insurance Registration and license
Arkansas	Scooter license A helmet to 21 years
California	Registration License plate
Colorado	Without a license A helmet to 18 years
Connecticut	Go on the right side No riding on the sidewalks No license or registration
Delaware	Driver’s license
Florida	No license No registration
Georgia	Drivers license Helmet
Hawaii	License Minimum insurance
Idaho	Driver’s license
Illinois	IL driver’s license
Indiana	It is forbidden to ride on sidewalks, footpaths, interstate highways
Iowa	Registration
Kansas	Registration State driver’s license
Kentucky	License plate License
Louisiana	State driver’s license It is forbidden to ride on sidewalks, footpaths, interstate highways
Maine	State driver’s license Registration
Maryland	Driver’s license or permit Insurance
Massachusetts	Registration License
Michigan	Without a license Registration
Minnesota	Registration Insurance
Mississippi	Registration
Missouri	Scooter’s license
Montana	Registration Insurance
Nebraska	Driver’s licenses License
Nevada	Driving license
New Hampshire	Driver’s or scooter license Registration
New Jersey	License Registration Insurance
New Mexico	No license No registration
New York	Driver’s license Registration
North Carolina	Registration Helmet
North Dakota	Registration Helmet
Ohio	Registration License plate
Oklahoma	Registration No drive on highways
Oregon	Without registration
Pennsylvania	Driver’s license
Rhode Island	Driver’s license Registration
South Carolina	Driver’s license Registration
South Dakota	Without registration
Tennessee	License Registration
Texas	Registration
Utah	Registration
Vermont	Registration
Virginia	License plate Registration
Washington	Driver’s license License plate
West Virginia	Registration A helmet
Wisconsin	Registration You can’t drive on the road
Wyoming	No state-wide regulations

Hence, mobility scooters are allowed on the road in most US states. Some states sort all motorized transport into one type – motor-driven cycles. Others have differences in the presence of registration, license, insurance, helmets, etc.

Conclusion

There are different laws in all states regarding many details. However, the rules of general use on the road or sidewalk are virtually unchanged. The mobility scooters can go on the road in almost all states if they have the right category and move at the right speed.