How Fast Are Mobility Scooters Allowed To Go?

As a mobility scooter owner, you want the ability to travel from point A to point B as fast as possible. Whether you’re heading to the shops or meeting friends for lunch, you have places to be and you don’t want to be limited by the speed of your mobility scooter.

While we understand the frustration that comes from speed limitations, there are laws in place to protect you and other pedestrians on the road or footpath in New South Wales. While you do not need a licence, registration, or third party insurance, there is a speed limit for mobility scooter and motorised wheelchair drivers in this state.

So how fast are mobility scooters allowed to go in New South Wales? In this article, we explore the laws that are currently in place for mobility scooter users, plus we share some of our fast mobility scooters to get you where you want to be - at a legal speed!

Mobility Scooter Speed Limits & Laws in NSW

As a rule, motorised wheelchairs with two or more wheels and have a top speed of 10km/h on level ground in New South Wales. According to the law, mobility scooters are considered motorised wheelchairs as well as pedestrians.

To ensure mobility scooters can mix safely with other pedestrians, they must meet the requirements of the NSW Road Rules, meaning you must not exceed 10km/hour. This is why most mobility scooters cannot go faster than 10km/h and average out at around 8km/hour, except for some bariatric wheelchairs that can go 12km/hour to tackle hills.

According to the law, you must also:

• 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.

Transport NSW has also provided a wide range of recommendations to improve the safety of your mobility scooter for pedestrians. For example, they recommend planning a route that has footpath access for the entire trip, know where ramps and safe crossing are located, wait until traffic has stopped before using a pedestrian crossing, and avoiding highways, main roads, and roundabouts.

They also recommend adding a range of safety accessories like flags and rear-view mirrors. It is also recommended to use reflectors and headlights when driving at night.

While we all experience a sense of urgency to get to our destination - no matter where we’re going - it’s important to follow the road and pedestrian rules to keep everyone safe. However, there are legally “fast” scooters available on the market to ensure you get the best possible performance out of your scooter.

Our Range of Fast Mobility Scooters

While mobility scooters can only travel at 10km/h maximum, it is important to note that some mobility scooters are faster than others.

If you’re shopping for a fast mobility scooter, we recommend browsing through our range of every day scooters rather than our compact scooters, as compact scooters are lightweight and less capable of hitting high speeds. The average speed for a compact scooter is around 6km/h and they are designed for flexibility, portability and convenience over speed.

Every day mobility scooters, however, can reach the maximum legal speed of 10km/h and are much sturdier for daily use.Here are some of our fastest mobility scooter brands.

#1. Shoprider Mobility Scooters

Shoprider is one of Australia’s premier mobility scooter brands with three and four-wheel options available. Within our range of Shoprider scooters, we have models that can reach up to 10km/h, including:

• The Shoprider Viking with its high/medium/low speed options and intuitive “slow when turning” function for improved safety. Features a large 75 amp battery capacity and will typically last up to 54km on a single charge.
• Shoprider Seka Deluxe with its 1.5hp high torque motor lasting up to 32km in one charge. Extra safe with anti-tip wheels and a contoured seat with excellent airflow.
• Shoprider 889SL Deluxe with its 1.2hp motor, rear-wheel drive and electromagnetic brakes. It also features a high/low speed switch to meet the legal requirements of the 10km/h speed limit.
• Shoprider All-Rounder with its large 330mm wheels for great ground clearance. With a higher output motor of 1.5hp, this model can reach 40km in one charge. 

#2. Pride Mobility Scooters

One of our next most popular brands is Pride Mobility. Focused on performance and sleek, sporty styling, Pride Mobility scooters can reach up to 10km/h and some reach up to 40.2km in a single charge. We stock Pride models like: 

• Pride Celebrity DX 3 reaching up to 10km/h and travelling 20.6km in one charge. Mixing luxury and simplicity, this scooter has an auto-latching lock for quick disassembly and assembly.
• Pride Celebrity DX 4 Wheel is the four-wheel model of the Celebrity DX 3, offering additional stability for riders.
• Pride Zero Turn 10 combines powerful dual motors with Pride's revolutionary iTurn technology, meaning the Zero Turn 10 can be used for both indoor and outdoor environments. Capable of travelling 28.8km on a single charge.
• The Pride Pathrider 130XL 4 Wheel can reach up to 10km/h and travels up to 40.2km per charge, making it one of Pride’s fastest and most efficient mobility scooters. With large 33cm pneumatic tyres, this scooter is excellent for outdoor use.
• Pride Pathrider 10 4 Wheel is similar to the model above, featuring an exclusive low-profile design, puncture-proof tyres, and a travel range of up to 25km on a single charge.
• Pride Victory 10 LX 4 Wheel is the ultimate midsize luxury scooter and can reach speeds of up to 9km/h. Travelling up to 26km on one charge, this is a standard scooter from the Pride range.

#3. Invacare Mobility Scooters

Invacare offers comfortable, luxurious mobility scooters reaching up to 10km/h,  like Shoprider and Pride. However, with their lightweight design, Invacare scooters can travel up to 54km on one battery charge - around 15km further than Shoprider and Pride models. We stock: 

• Invacare Pegasus Metro has a maximum speed of 10km/hr and a range of 54km on a single charge. This scooter offers next-level performance along with automatic speed reduction around bends for added safety.
• Invacare Leo is a standard electric mobility scooter, reaching up to 8km/h and a range of 36km on one charge. Its battery peaks at 450W, but offers continuous 240W for longer trips. 

#4. Merits Australia Scooters

Finally, we have the range of mobility scooters from Merits Australia. Characterised by their smart and attractive car-like designs, Merits Australia offers fast mobility scooters for all kinds of riders. Our range includes:

• Merits Australia Fende mobility scooters have a car-like front and rear suspension which delivers a smooth ride over various terrains. Reaching 10km/h in line with legal requirements, with a travel range of 30km per charge, this model features intuitive electromagnetic brakes.
• Merits Australia Eclipse S2 features a 4 pole motor and large controller delivering incredible power for climbing steep driveways or hills. Hitting 10km/h and travelling 30 to 40km on one battery charge, this fast mobility scooter offers performance, safety and style.

Shop fast Mobility Scooters Online with Active Mobility Systems!

Like the sound of our range of a fast mobility scooter? Shop the collection online today! We offer exclusive deals online and fast, reliable shipping through premium companies like TNT. 

Alternatively, come and visit us at our showroom in Silverwater or Newcastle to see the models in person. We have numerous mobility scooters on the floor that you can put to the test.

We even offer in-home demonstrations so you can learn more about the scooter before purchasing, helping you make an informed decision about the right mobility scooter for you, your patient, or your family member.