UK powered wheelchair and mobility scooter law review: what the 2026 consultation means

New government plans could change how powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters and powered add-ons are used on roads and pavements across Great Britain. A public consultation is now open, running until 31 March 2026, and it gives disabled people a rare chance to shape rules that affect everyday travel and independence.

The consultation, Reviewing the law for powered mobility devices, is being run by the Department for Transport and applies to England, Scotland and Wales. You can read the full consultation on the GOV.UK website.

What the government is reviewing

The law that governs powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters is decades out of date. Much of it still relies on language and categories set in 1970 and 1988, including the term “invalid carriage”, which no longer reflects how disabled people move around today.

The Department for Transport has acknowledged that modern powered wheelchairs, scooters and powered attachments do not fit neatly into these old rules. As reported by Disability News Service, this legal mismatch has left many people unsure where they are allowed to go, whether their device is legal, or how they can insure it.

The government is openly asking users, carers, charities, manufacturers and the wider public for views, describing powered mobility devices as a lifeline for independence while accepting that the law has failed to keep up with reality. Road safety organisations have also welcomed the review, pointing out that clearer rules would help both users and pedestrians (Road Safety GB).

Who this affects

The proposals apply to anyone in Great Britain who uses a powered mobility device, including:

• People who use powered wheelchairs, indoors or outdoors (GOV.UK).
• People using Class 2 and Class 3 mobility scooters for shopping, work, social life or commuting (current rules here).
• Disabled people who rely on devices that fall outside existing categories, such as front power attachments, powered add-ons, larger buggies or hybrid designs that are often treated as legally unclear (Wheelchair Alliance – Not in a Class report).
• Families, personal assistants and carers who push, accompany or support someone using a powered device, especially if passenger rules change (consultation document).

The review also affects organisations that sell, hire, insure, train or maintain powered mobility equipment, because size limits, speed limits and legal definitions all shape what can be designed and sold (DfT newsroom).

Which devices are included

The consultation covers a wide range of powered mobility devices, including:

• Powered wheelchairs, from compact indoor models to heavy-duty outdoor chairs.
• Class 2 mobility scooters, usually limited to 4 mph and mainly used on pavements.
• Class 3 mobility scooters, which can reach 8 mph and are allowed on certain roads under current rules.
• Other powered devices used as mobility aids by disabled people, such as powered wheelchair attachments, seated e-trikes and some devices that currently sit in a legal grey area (Disability News Service).

One of the central questions is whether the existing Class 1, 2 and 3 system still makes sense, or whether the UK needs clearer and more respectful categories that reflect how people actually travel.

Where and how devices can be used

A large part of the consultation focuses on where powered mobility devices can be used and at what speed.

Roads and pavements

The government is asking whether some devices should be limited to pavements, while others could be allowed on certain roads. This includes questions about:

• Which types of roads might be suitable.
• What safety equipment or design features might be needed.
• How to protect pedestrians without trapping disabled people in unsafe or inaccessible routes.

Current rules already allow Class 3 devices on some roads, but the review recognises that many pavements are narrow, blocked or poorly maintained, forcing people into the road anyway (Highway Code guidance).

Pavement safety

The consultation also looks at pavement use, including:

• Whether the current 4 mph pavement speed limit still makes sense (GOV.UK rules).
• Expectations around giving way to pedestrians, including people with sensory impairments.
• How enforcement should work so users are not blamed for poor infrastructure.

Speed, size and weight

Technology has moved on, but the law has not. Many modern powerchairs and scooters are more stable, better braked and safer than older models. The consultation asks whether speed limits should change, whether different rules are needed for larger or heavier devices, and how size and weight limits affect access to suitable equipment (Disability Insider).

Age limits are also under review, particularly for children and younger disabled people who rely on powered mobility to attend school or take part in everyday life.

Carrying passengers

Another issue is whether powered mobility devices should be allowed to carry passengers. This includes tandem devices, parents travelling with children, or situations where a personal assistant needs to ride with the user. The consultation asks what safety standards would be needed and where such devices should be allowed (DfT newsroom).

Why this matters

The Department for Transport has described powered mobility devices as giving people independence and freedom, yet campaigners have long argued that the current rules are confusing, outdated and stigmatising (UCAN2 Magazine).

Because the law does not match modern equipment, many disabled people are left unsure whether their device is legal, insurable or acceptable in public spaces. This uncertainty affects funding decisions, training, retail confidence and product development (Disability Insider).

Handled well, the review could make it easier to choose the right equipment, support better design, and treat powered mobility as a normal way of getting around. If disabled people do not respond, there is a real risk that decisions will be shaped by fear and misconceptions rather than lived experience.

How to respond

You can take part by responding directly to the consultation on GOV.UK.

• Who can respond: users, families, carers, charities, professionals and anyone with an interest (GOV.UK announcement).
• How to respond: complete the online form, upload a document, or send written comments using the contact details in the consultation (Disability Partnership Calderdale).
• Deadline: 31 March 2026 at 23:59 (VODG).

If the form is difficult to complete, you can share your experience with a disability organisation or user group and ask them to include it in their response. Many national organisations are already coordinating submissions and are actively looking for real-world input.

Please share

If you use a powered wheelchair, scooter or attachment, or support someone who does, this consultation will shape where you can go and how safely you can travel. Sharing this information with user groups, charities and local networks helps make sure disabled voices are heard.