Driving your scooter

Skills required

It's important to consider your skills to ensure you are able to use a scooter safely. The skills you'll need are:

• Coordination and movement to get on and off the scooter, use the controls, turn your head to both sides and behind, and to steer and turn in tight corners.
• Strength to turn key, adjust dials, use accelerator and brake.
• Balance, so you can cope with uneven surfaces and adjust your position when you're travelling up or down slopes.
• Endurance, so you can stay seated for long periods.
• Vision, so you'll be able to see clearly to move around objects.
• Perception, so you'll be able to judge distance and speed.
• Concentration, so you can stay focused for long periods of time and remember safety procedures.
• Confidence to drive independently and stay calm in difficult situations.

It's also important to consider your medical condition and any medication you are on. Check it doesn't impair your judgement, cause drowsiness, or affect vision. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Safety tips

• Don't exceed the speed limit (6km/h) when driving your scooter.
• Ride your scooter sensibly. It's illegal to ride carelessly or in a manner or position that may cause injury to yourself or others.
• Plan your travel times and routes so you can avoid peak-hour pedestrian traffic.
• If you're travelling in a busy area, slow down to avoid any dangers or possible crashes.
• Use a lower speed when turning.
• If your scooter has indicator lights, always use them when you're turning. If not, use hand signals.
• Use a pedestrian crossing or traffic signals to cross a road. Never cross a road without checking the way is clear.
• Always approach gutter crossings squarely, never at an angle. This prevents the scooter rocking from side to side.