Shopmobility Information

Buying a Powered Wheelchair or Electric Scooter - What you need to know

Do you want a scooter or a wheelchair?

• Scooters can range from very small and portable, through many stages up to large four wheeled vehicles.

• Many of the smaller scooters are foldable and many others can be dismantled into several large components for storage, or to load into a car.

• If you have long legs that you find difficult to bend you may find the steering column of a scooter makes getting comfortable very difficult.

• If you can walk a little, a scooter is a good solution to those distances that are too great for you, especially as you can always get out at your destination.

• Powered wheelchairs can be as simple as a battery and motor pack attached to a standard manual wheelchair.

• As powered wheelchairs become larger they often offer many other features, including adjustable seats, elevating leg rests and lights.

• Some wheelchairs can be fitted with kerb climbing devices allowing the user to drive the wheelchair up or down the kerb.

• If you have poor stability when sitting, a powered wheelchair is likely to give you more support and some models can accommodate specialist seating.

Where will I store and charge it?

Things to think about

• Where will you keep the equipment when it is not in use? If not indoors, will you need a storage cover to protect it?

• Is there a power point there to plug in the charger?

• Is it secure from theft or vandalism? If not will it be difficult to get adequate insurance.

• Cold weather can damage batteries if outside storage is not insulated.

• If it is in a shared area, such as the hallway of flats, will the landlord consent?

• If there are steps will you be able to get the equipment up and down these? Do you need any ramps?

• What is the narrowest door or gate you need to get through? You do not want to find you cannot get it in after you have bought it.

What accessories and extras do I need?

• If you need to carry a bag, sticks, crutches, oxygen or other things make sure that the equipment you choose can do this. There are accessories to assist with all of these needs, but not all equipment can accommodate them.

Where can I buy a scooter or wheelchair?

• Always go to a reputable dealer, preferably local, somewhere where you can try before you buy, or make sure that they are able to visit you, and that they are able to set the equipment up and offer training, and look out for the BHTA logo.

• There are Mobility Centres in many parts of the country that can offer advice on choosing a powered wheelchair or scooter. There is generally a charge for this service. The nearest Mobility Centre to Darlington is:

North East Drive Mobility Centre
Westgate Park
Benfield Road
Newcastle
NE6 4QD
Tel: 0191 2875090

Where can I use it? Where can I go?

• A small foldable scooter that folds into the boot of a car may be ideal for a shopping centre but possibly impractical for use on a rural footpath.

• A rugged outdoor scooter may be excellent on rural footpaths, but too big for easy use between dress rails and small shops.

What distance will it cover?

• Is it to get you to the local shops, or will you be travelling further afield?

• Most have a maximum speed of either 4mph or 8mph, but some will be slower than 4mph. The distance that can be covered with a fully charged battery will depend on many factors, including weight of users, gradients on the route used, the age of the battery and the temperature.

Rule of thumb, the slower you go, the further you go.

Does it go in a car?

• If you need to take your equipment in a car you need to be sure it can be folded or dismantled in such a way that it can be fitted in to the space available and that no parts are too heavy to lift. Who will do this? If you are planning to do this yourself can you then safely get into the car seat? Loading equipment into a car can be made easier by using a small hoist fitted in the boot. Alternatively ramps from the ground using the motor of unoccupied equipment to drive up the ramp may be possible.

• Boot - Check the size of the boot in relation to the wheelchair including depth. If it is a tight fit any new wheelchair may not go in.

Is the boot flush with the outside, if not how deep is it? A wheelchair can be difficult to lift out of a deep boot.

Will the wheel arches twist the wheelchair?

If a hatchback or estate car check if parcel shelf fits correctly with the wheelchair in.

• Alternative way of transporting a wheelchair - check if there is room on the backseat for wheelchair when front seats are in preferred position.

• Doors - is the wheelchair user travelling in the back or front? Three door cars have wider front doors than five door cars, the wider the door, the easier the transfer but limits the wheelchair user to the front seats only.

• Seats - the floor height will determine the height of the seats and it is best if this is similar to the seat height of the wheelchair. If a slide board is used check that this can be done.

• General - best advice is to try out any car before getting it. Do all the things you would expect to do in a car in relation to the wheelchair and wheelchair user. It is important to be able to transfer easily and safely. Not all car doors open as wide as one another. Look out for door pockets and speakers that can obstruct transferring. Is there somewhere secure for the person transferring to hold onto?

Can I use it on public transport?

• Occupied powered wheelchairs are generally able to travel on accessible public transport such as buses, trains and taxis, provided they meet the maximum dimensions for use in this way. These dimensions are length 1200mm; width 700mm; sitting height (from ground to top of head) 1350mm; height of footrest above floor 150mm.

• Occupied scooters are unlikely to be accepted in taxis and often refused on other public transport. They can sometimes be transported if the user can transfer to a seat, but may have to be folded or dismantled.

For other areas please call 0800 599 3636

• Make your mind up on what you want from your scooter or wheelchair before seeing a salesperson.

• Advice may also be available from independent occupational therapists, local independent living centres and the local wheelchair clinic.

• Never be pressured into placing an order. You may not be able to cancel it and may lose the money you have paid or agreed to pay. Have a friend or relative with you when visiting or being visited by the supplier unless you are really confident you can do this on your own.

• Ask about the repair and maintenance service the supplier provides, check that they are able to get parts for your equipment if it requires them.

• Most well known manufacturers supply only one outlet in each area, and only that outlet can get the parts to do repairs.

• Many classified adverts offer used equipment, but not all sales are bargains. Make sure that you check the condition of the equipment and never agree to buy until you have tested it. You have very little legal protection when you buy used goods privately.

• DAD has a list of suppliers of mobility equipment within a 5 mile radius of the town centre, who are members of BHTA. Members of BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association) are required to conduct their business in accordance with a code of conduct. If you are not satisfied with a product or service from a BHTA member; or if you are not happy with the outcome of any complaint you have addressed to them directly, then the BHTA's complaints conciliation service attempts to resolve the issue without having to go to court.

BHTA - British Healthcare Trade Association
New Loom House Suite 4.06
101 Back Church Lane
London
E1 1LU
Tel: 020 7702 2141
www.bhta.net

What about insurance?

A good insurance policy will cover you for:

• Comprehensive ‘All risks’ cover including loss or damage as a result of accidental damage, fire, theft and vandalism.

• ‘New for Old’ so that your equipment will be replaced if it is stolen and not recovered or if it is damaged beyond economic repair as long as the machine is less than two years old.

• A daily allowance if your machine is out of action following an insurance event.

• ‘Public Liability’ cover for you (or your carer) for third party injury or damage caused by using your powered wheelchair or scooter.

If you need to arrange insurance please call Darlington Association on Disability on 01325 489999 and our Information Service will be able to signpost you to an Insurance Company suitable for your requirements.

Do I need to register my scooter?

Under the Use of Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988, invalid carriages are separated into three categories:

Class 1

Manual wheelchairs i.e. self propelled or attendant propelled, not electrically propelled. These are not required to be registered with the DVLA.

Class 2

Class 2 vehicles are sometimes referred to as “pavement vehicles.” Powered wheelchairs and scooters - intended for footway use only with a maximum speed of 4mph and an unladen weight not exceeding 113.4kgs. They are not allowed on roads other than to cross them. These are not required to be registered with DVLA.

Class 3

Mobility vehicles that are capable of exceeding a speed of 4mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8mph on the level under its own power (generally powered wheelchairs and other outdoor vehicles including scooters intended for use on roads/highways). They must be fitted with a device capable of limiting the maximum speed to 4mph for use when travelling on footways. They are not allowed on motorways, cycle lanes or bus lanes and are required by law to have lights, indicators, a horn, a rear view mirror and rear reflectors. If they are 4 wheeled vehicles then they must use n amber flashing light for conspicuity when used on dual carriageways. The unladen weight must not exceed 150kgs. These are required to be registered with DVLA.

Code of practice for Class 3 vehicle users:

What are the legal requirements?

A class 3 vehicle is not legally defined as a motor vehicle and therefore the user is not required to have a driving licence or to take a test. The vehicles themselves are not subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (‘road tax’) or mandatory insurance requirements. However they need to be registered with DVLA and display a ‘nil duty’ tax disc. Further information can be obtained from DVLA.

The law also states that:

• A class 3 vehicle can only be used by a disabled person aged 14 or over, or by an able bodied person who is demonstrating a vehicle before sale, training a disabled user or taking the vehicle to or from a place for maintenance or repair.

The vehicle must have certain construction features including:

• A maximum unladen weight of 150kg (330lbs)

As a general rule, plan your journeys carefully. This way, you could reach your destination without having to negotiate major roundabouts, rush-hour traffic, or busy roads. However if the situation on the road does become too daunting, you can always switch to pavement mode (4mph) and move to the footway until you feel confident enough to rejoin the traffic.

What ‘Rules of the Road’ should I follow?

Class 3 vehicles should not be used if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may affect your driving ability. If you are in any doubt, consult your doctor.

On footways.

Show consideration for pedestrians, particularly elderly people or those who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing.

Although Class 3 vehicles can legally travel at 4mph on footways or in pedestrian area, it is not always safe to travel at this speed if pedestrians are not able to move out of the way quickly enough e.g. in a crowded shopping precinct.

You can take advantage of pelican and zebra crossings when in 4mph mode in order to cross from one footway to another.

When moving off the footway on to the road (to use the vehicle in 8mph mode) take special care. Before moving off, always look round and make sure it is safe to join the traffic and watch out, in particular for cyclists.

On the road

When on the road, drive with due care and attention, always travelling in the direction of the traffic, obeying traffic signs and signals and give way to pedestrians who are crossing at junctions or pedestrian crossings. Keep a special look out for children crossing roads because they may lack the skills and experience to negotiate traffic safely.

Remember that, in comparison with the majority of other vehicles on the road, a Class 3 vehicle is not powerful or conspicuous. As a Class 3 vehicle driver, you are often in a similarly vulnerable position to cyclists - especially at roundabouts and junctions.

Direction indicators must always be used to indicate manoeuvres on the road.

Always use the front and rear lights in the dark or when visibility is poor due to adverse weather conditions.

The vehicle's horn should not be used when the vehicle is stationary (unless there is a danger due to another moving vehicle) or between 11.30 at night and 07:00 in the morning.

In general, if the vehicle has a battery, make sure that it is kept in good condition.

Lighting equipment should be kept clean and in good working order.

Windows, windscreens and mirrors should also be clean and clear of obstructions for good all-round vision.

It is important that your vehicle undergoes a thorough safety check at least once a year.

Useful addresses

For further information about the safer driving of Class 3 vehicles, please contact:

The Mobility and Inclusion Unit
The Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions
1/18 Great Minster House
76 Masham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel : 020 7944 6100
Fax: 020 7944 6102
Email: miu@dft.gsi.gov.uk

BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association)
New Loom House
Suite 4.06
101 Back Church Lane
London
E1 1LU
Tel: 020 7702 2141
Fax: 020 7680 4048
Email: bhta@bhta.com

Disabled Living Centres Council
1st Floor
Winchester House
11 Cranmer Road
London
SW9 6EJ
Tel: 020 7820 0567

The Code of Practice was developed by the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre on behalf of the Department of Transport's Mobility Unit.