The government has opened a nationwide consultation on modernising laws governing powered mobility devices, aiming to bring regulations written nearly 40 years
ago into line with today’s technology and improve safety for all users.
The 12-week consultation, launched on 6 January by the Department for Transport (DfT), invites views from powered mobility device users, disability and accessibility organisations, industry representatives and the wider public. It will run until 31 March 2026.
Current legislation covering electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters has not kept pace with technological advances. As a result, some modern devices — including wheelchairs used by adults and children — exceed existing legal limits on size or weight and can technically only be used on private land.
The government says the review forms part of its wider commitment to making transport more inclusive and breaking down barriers faced by disabled people and those with reduced mobility.
The consultation will examine whether rules on where powered mobility devices can be used — such as on pavements, roads or other public spaces — remain appropriate. It will also seek views on updating limits on size, speed and age for larger devices, and on whether tandem, two-person devices should be permitted.
Other proposals include replacing outdated and offensive legal terminology, such as the term “invalid carriages”, with language that better reflects modern attitudes, as well as considering whether other powered devices could be allowed on public roads or pavements when used by disabled people.
Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Roads and Buses, said:
“Powered mobility devices give people independence and freedom and the law should enable their safe use.
This consultation is a chance for users and organisations to help us modernise these outdated rules and ensure they meet today’s needs”.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:
“We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity for disabled people and improving access to assistive technology, as well as making sure that the laws around its use are up to date, is essential to this.
I encourage disabled people to respond to the Department for Transport’s consultation so their views and voices are used to shape this policy”.
Isabelle Clement, Director of Wheels for Wellbeing, said:
“We are delighted to see the Department for Transport consulting on modernising laws on ‘powered mobility devices’. Over 10 million people in the UK have mobility-related impairments and existing laws create confusion, restrict market innovation and limit disabled people’s freedom to travel.
New high-quality regulations that meet disabled people’s needs will enable millions more disabled people to legally use a growing range of existing and innovative safe, convenient, cost-effective, low-carbon mobility devices to move around our communities.
This has the potential to improve the independence, physical and mental health, employment, educational and social options of disabled individuals and our families across the UK”.
Nick Goldup, CEO, Wheelchair Alliance CIC, said:
“The Wheelchair Alliance wholeheartedly welcomes this government review of powered wheelchair legislation. For too long, wheelchair users have been sidelined by outdated legislation and offensive terminology. Many individuals using wheelchairs over 150kg have been left feeling anxious and worried about breaking the law.
Having worked closely with Simon Lightwood MP for over a year, we are beyond proud that our campaigning has secured this commitment to change. We will continue to amplify the voices of our community to ensure this review delivers a fairer, more inclusive future for all”.
The government has said it will publish its response shortly after the consultation closes at the end of March 2026. Photo by Tom Page from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.