Shopmobility genre licenses

[DeLorean75]

Hi

Could anyone here give me a pointer to any threads regarding license requirements for the shopmobility genre?

An elderly aunt has been refused a new car license with eyesight cited (see what I did there).

She lives alone in some back streets and would hugely benefit from something to let her get to the local corner shop / church through the back streets under own steam. I've tried to suggest an electrically assisted mountain bike style tricycle (which i still think would be perfect) but she's not for budging on that one

Anyway, are the various flavours of shopmobiliity scooter all license free?

Thanks in advance - doubtless this has been discussed before.

[DeLorean75]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

thanks

[AlwynMike]

No licence or insurance....or registration needed for electric carts.
4mph on pavements only.
8mph on roads only, but most (all?) have 4mph switch so they can be used on the pavement too. This bit, as you know, is usually flouted.

[DeLorean75]

Many thanks

[anonymous-user]

Having gone through this myself for my mother a couple of years ago; ones in excess of 4mph do need to be road registered (and you do get a V5 for them), but displaying the plate is not actually mandated. You'll receive a certificate of "newness" (sorry, can't remember what it was referred to as) to action that, but in practice the dealer will sort it out for you (assuming you're buying from one).

Insurance is not mandatory, but is definitely recommend - you don't need the hassle of sorting out damages when she ploughs into someone or something.

Also highly recommend is breakdown/recovery cover! (Yes really).

Regards Andy

[Aeroscreens]

Agree with all of the above having been through this with my father last May. My only other advice is to consider 2nd hand. The mark up on them is really high.

My father bought a really nice Class 3 road-going scooter as we live in an area with steep hills (plenty of battery power) at the beginning of June for c.£1,500. Sadly he passed away unexpectedly 4 months later. It wasn't easy trying to sell it it on as dealers would only give £500 as that's about the price they buy them in at. It was in excellent condition, not a mark on it, tried selling on facebook, ebay etc for half price and not even a sniff. I let it go for a £500 private sale in the end.

I guarantee they'll be excellent bargains out there....

[Paul the Painter]

From experience with my grandfather and now my aunt, buy a cheap second hand or £500 new one, see how they get on, then but a "proper" one. Obviously flog the other one on..

Grandfather loved his, but wouldn't go out by himself (despite my spray painting directions onto the pavement to the local Morrisons)

Aunt still doesn't want to admit she needs it, despite me having her car....

Personally I almost can't wait for the day to come for me, live in Milton Keynes so can get anywhere on the level, I imagine it will feel quite liberating not having to deal with road tax, fuel etc.

[Short Grain]

[quote=Paul the Painter]From experience with my grandfather and now my aunt, buy a cheap second hand or £500 new one, see how they get on, then but a "proper" one. Obviously flog the other one on..

We did this and bought my Mum a second hand, 'as new', scooter from a certain ....Mobility Ltd. company. The first battery ran flat one day, after half her normal journey, leaving her stranded. A very kind lady took her in and gave her numerous cups of tea This was in the first month.

....Mobility did replace the battery, but after a week, the new battery wouldn't charge!! ....Mobility refused to even look at the 'new' battery to check for the fault!

Mum went into a care home where she couldn't store the scooter, but at least she's safe and happy!

....Mobility offered to take the scooter 'off our hands' for free, as it was obviously faulty!!

....Mobility where told to ....Off!

Some Mobility dealers can be as crappy as some car dealers! Take Care!!