Owning a mobility scooter can significantly enhance a person’s quality of life as it allows them to move more freely inside and outside the home. However, there are laws surrounding mobility scooters that must be followed to keep the rider and everyone around them as safe as possible. It’s especially important to brush up on the laws in your area if you’ll be looking into a scooter rental for temporary use. Here are some of the basic laws you should understand before riding an electric scooter.
Not Everyone Qualifies To Use A Mobility Scooter
You can’t simply purchase a mobility scooter just because you don’t feel like walking places. To qualify for a mobility scooter, you must have limited upper body strength or other issues preventing you from using a traditional wheelchair, walker, or walking cane. People who are unable to perform typical tasks without assistance, like eating, going to the bathroom, or getting dressed, may also qualify for an electric scooter. These regulations are set forth by physicians and government officials to ensure mobility scooters are solely used by people who need them. If your physician believes you could improve your quality of life and perform basic necessary tasks easier with a mobility scooter, then they can prescribe you to purchase one.
Classifications Of Mobility Scooters
It’s important to understand the two classifications of scooters before you decide which one to purchase:
- Class 2 Scooters – these scooters are not permitted for road use unless it is an unpaved road. You won’t need to register a Class 2 scooter since it is typically used primarily for use in and around the home. The maximum speed for this classification is 4 mph.
- Class 3 Scooters – these scooters are equipped with various indicators and lights to be used on roads. Most of them travel at speeds of up to 8 mph, but you will need to check your local regulations for what you need to do to register it.
Understanding when, where, and how you’ll use an electric scooter is critical, so you know which classification to purchase. If you plan on using an electric scooter for road or highway use, then you’ll need to ensure you purchase a Class 3 scooter.
Insurance Concerns With Mobility Scooters
Most states don’t require you to have insurance on a mobility scooter, but insurance still provides some peace of mind when riding it. Of course, consider where you’ll be riding the scooter to determine whether it’s worth it. If you purchase a Class 2 scooter and just use it around your home or on sidewalks around neighborhoods, then insuring it may not be ideal since there’s a very low risk of being involved in an accident. However, for the ultimate peace of mind against vandalism, theft, or other types of damage, insurance can ease some challenges and frustrations if those events occur.
Next Day Access offers several different mobility scooters models so you can make the perfect decision to fit your lifestyle. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions about making the right purchase.