Do you need to register your mobility scooter and pay road tax?
There have been some recent changes to the law regarding mobility scooters and Class 3 scooters should now be registered and taxed with the DVLA prior to use. Below are the legal requirements and guidelines as set out by the DVLA so that you can ensure your scooter is legal. This information can be found on the DVLA website:
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles
Under the Use of Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988, invalid carriages (mobility scooters) are separated into 3 categories:
Class 1
Manual wheelchairs, ie. 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 4 mph and an unladen weight not exceeding 113.4 kgs. These are not required to be registered with DVLA.
Class 3
Mechanicaly propelled mobility scooters that are constructed or adapted to be capable of exeeding a speed of 4 mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8 mph on the level under its own power (generally powered wheelchairs and other outdoor vehicles including scooters intended for use on road/highways). They must be fitted with a device capable of limited the maximum speed to 4 mph for use when traveling on footways. The unladen weight must not exceed 150 kgs. These are required to be registered with DVLA.
How to register your Class 3 mobility scooter
Class 3 mobility scooters need to be registered for road use, be licensed in the "disabled" taxation class and display a nil duty tax disc. Unlike ordinary cars, users of mobility scooters do not need to provide evidence of VED examption when licensing in the disabled class. Also, they are exempt from paying the first registration fee and are not required to display registration plates.
To register and license a Class 3 mobility scooter, you will need to complete form V55/5 (for used vehicles) or form V55/4 (for new vehicles) and take or send it to your nearest DVLA local office. Addresses can be found on the website www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
Evidence of the vehicles age (if available) will need to be submitted with the appliction, together with documentation confirming the keeper's name and address.