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Centre for Road Safety

  1. NSW Centre for Road Safety
  2. Staying safe
  3. Pedestrians
  4. Motorised mobility devices

Motorised mobility devices

Motorised

What are motorised wheelchairs?

Motorised wheelchairs are mobility aids with two or more wheels and have a top speed of 10km/h on level ground. Mobility scooters or 'gophers' are classified as motorised wheelchairs. A motorised wheelchair does not include a wheeled recreational device such as a motor scooter, pram, stroller, trolley or any other motor-assisted machine.

Who may use them?

Motorised wheelchairs are specially built to transport people who are unable to walk, or have difficulty walking.

Must they be registered in NSW?

No, motorised wheelchairs do not require registration in NSW. They do not require third party insurance.

Do users need a licence?

No, a licence is not needed to use a motorised wheelchair in NSW.

Is a user a pedestrian or a driver?

A motorised wheelchair user is generally considered to be a pedestrian, and must comply with the NSW Road Rules that apply to pedestrians. To ensure motorised wheelchairs can mix safely with other pedestrians, they must meet the requirements of NSW Road Rules 2014.

Requirements of motorised wheelchairs

A motorised wheelchair in NSW must:

  • Not have the capacity to travel faster than 10 km/h

As a user, you must:

  • Never exceed 10 km/h
  • Have a reasonable need to use a wheelchair because of physical disability or limited mobility
  • Obey all pedestrian road rules
  • Not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver
  • Not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or pedestrian
  • Not be affected by alcohol or drugs when travelling on a road or road-related area such as a footpath
Motorised wheelchair

Safe operation

To use a motorised wheelchair safely, you must be able to:

  • Operate controls and manoeuvre the wheelchair
  • Keep your balance and adjust your body position when travelling across uneven ground
  • Spot obstacles and avoid collisions
  • Judge speeds and distances
  • Make good judgements to protect your safety and others

Alcohol mixed with prescription or other drugs may further affect your ability to operate a motorised wheelchair safely. If you are concerned about your ability to use a motorised wheelchair, your doctor or healthcare professional may be able to arrange an assessment by an accredited occupational therapist.

How to travel safely

  • Plan a route that allows access to a footpath for the entire journey
  • Know where there are kerb ramps or driveways you can use for safe crossings
  • Take extra care when leaving the kerb to cross the road
  • Wait until the traffic has stopped before travelling onto a pedestrian crossing
  • Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians
  • Watch for vehicles entering and leaving driveways
  • Avoid highways, roundabouts, major roads and heavy vehicles
  • If you are forced to use roads, travel on quieter streets, keep to the side and face oncoming traffic wherever possible
  • Attach a safety flag to your chair high enough above your head to be visible to others
  • If possible, attach rear view mirrors to your chair
  • If you must travel at night, use lights and reflectors to aid visibility
  • If possible, check out a new route beforehand to make sure it is suitable for a motorised wheelchair
  • For more information on planning a safe route, contact your local council's access committee
Motorised

Can users travel on a footpath or on a nature strip?

Provided that the safety rules listed above are met, a motorised wheelchair may be used on a footpath and on a nature strip.

Can motorised wheelchair users travel on shared paths?

A shared path is an area open to the public for use by riders of bicycles and pedestrians. Provided that the safety rules listed above are met, a motorised wheelchair may be used on a shared path.

What is the difference between a bicycle path and a bicycle lane and can a motorised wheelchair travel on these?

A bicycle path is an area that looks like a footpath designated for the use of bicycles. A bicycle lane is an area that is a part of a road but is designated for the use of bicycles.

The Centre for Road Safety does not encourage motorised wheelchair users to travel on either a bicycle path or a bicycle lane. However, a motorised wheelchair may cross a bicycle path or lane, use a bicycle path if there are no signs that prohibit use, and use a bicycle lane up to a distance of 50 metres to avoid obstruction.

E-skateboards

Reforms to road transport law have been made to enable people with disability to use electric skateboards (e-skateboards) as a motorised mobility device. This change gives those with specific mobility needs greater choice in the type of device they use.
Currently, the use of e-skateboards is prohibited on NSW roads and road related areas, including footpaths. This is because an e-skateboard is deemed an unregistered registerable vehicle, and Section 68 of the Road Transport Act prohibits the use of unregistrable registerable vehicles on roads and road related areas including footpaths.

The key motorised mobility devices (MMDs) that are currently used in NSW by people with impaired mobility are motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Users of compliant devices are treated as pedestrians under the NSW Road Rules 2014 and devices are excluded from driver licensing and vehicle registration requirements, despite being motor vehicles.

Below are some further road safety elements for e-skateboard riders:

  • The maximum speed for use is 10 km/h - similar to motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
  • The user must also be able to demonstrate that they are using the device as a mobility aid by obtaining a certificate from a health or medical practitioner.
  • They can be used on paths, roads and road related areas as a mobility device in a manner similar to a motorised wheelchair.
  • E-skateboard users must not travel on the road if there’s a footpath or nature strip adjacent to the road, unless it is impracticable to travel on the footpath or nature strip.
  • When riding on a footpath or shared path, you must keep left and give way to pedestrians.
  • Road rules that apply to pedestrians also apply to these e-skateboard users.
  • An approved helmet and other safety gear (e.g., knee and elbow pads) are recommended to be worn at all times when using an e-skateboard.
  • If possible, wear brightly coloured clothing so other road users can see you easily.
  • When riding, please ride predictably.
  • Your ability to use your e-skateboard can be affected by your health and any medications you’re taking. Check with your doctor before riding to make sure you have the ability to safely operate your e-skateboard.
  • It is recommended that a flag be installed to assist in visibility of the e-skateboard.

These reforms will mean that e-skateboards will only be permitted for use by people with a disability who are using it as a mobility aid. They remain illegal everyone else in NSW.

Contacts for assistance

  • Independent Living Centre NSW Phone: 1300 885 886
  • Aged and disability services at your local council
  • Occupational therapy department at your local hospital
  • Aged care assessment team at your local health centre