A class 2 scooter is a pavement scooter with a top speed of 4 mph. A class 3 scooter can do 8 mph and is legal on the road. Which you need depends on where you'll go and how far.
Side by side
| Class 2 | Class 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 4 mph | 8 mph on the road, 4 mph on pavements |
| Where you can go | Pavements. Roads only to cross | Pavements and roads |
| DVLA registration | Not needed | Needed (we do the paperwork, and there's no road tax to pay) |
| Lights, indicators, horn | Not required | Required |
| Size | Smaller, fits better in your home or a smaller shed. Portables fit in most car boots | Larger, needs a garage or shed |
| Range | Shorter | Longer, with bigger batteries |
| Comfort | Basic suspension | Usually full suspension and bigger seats |
Class 2: pavement scooters
Class 2 covers the boot scooters and smaller pavement scooters. The portable ones will also fit in the boot of most cars. They're for pavements and shopping areas. You can only go on the road to cross it.
Class 3: road-legal scooters
Class 3 scooters can do 8 mph on the road, and must be switched down to 4 mph on the pavement. They have lights, indicators and a horn, and must be registered with the DVLA.
Just because you can use the road doesn't mean you always should. Use common sense and stay off busy roads. We'd still use the pavement most of the time. Mobility scooters aren't currently allowed in cycle lanes either, which we think is silly.
Which class suits you?
- Class 2 if you'll mostly go to local shops, or need to store the scooter in your home or a smaller shed
- Class 3 if you'll travel further, need a comfortable ride over rough ground, and have a garage or shed with a charging point
Tracy's husband Mike drives a class 3 Ignite. On one overnight charge he can go from Sydenham to Warwick and back, do the shopping in town and walk the dogs twice a day.
There are mid-size scooters in between. Some, like the Pride Colt Deluxe, go up to 6 mph.
More on the rules
See mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs: the rules, the Highway Code for mobility scooters and do I need insurance for my mobility scooter?
Try one
Call 01789 339 738 to arrange a test drive, or book a free home assessment within 75 miles of Stratford-upon-Avon. Browse mobility scooters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence for a class 3 scooter?
No driving licence is needed, but the scooter must be registered with the DVLA. We handle that for you.
Can I ride a class 2 scooter on the road?
Only to cross it, or where there's no pavement.
Can I use a class 3 scooter on the pavement?
Yes, at 4 mph. Class 3 scooters have a switch to limit the speed.
Can mobility scooters use cycle lanes?
Not at the moment.
