Learn our essential mobility scooter safety tips, from battery care to on-road driving advice, to enjoy a safe and confident ride. 

Blog overview  

How do I get to know my scooter? Take full advantage of your free demo and be sure to read your scooter’s user manual to familiarise yourself with its controls. 

How can I practice driving safely? Practice driving your scooter in a safe, open space before hitting busier routes to build confidence. 

How do I control my speed and stay focused? Stick to 4mph on pavements and 8mph on the road and always avoid distractions. 

How do I maintain scooter safety between uses? Keep your scooter battery fully charged and regularly check your tyres for a reliable ride. 

Mobility scooters are among the safest mobility aids available. However, scooter safety starts with getting to know your scooter from top to bottom – but don't worry, this is where we come in! 

Always take advantage of your scooter demo & ask questions 

When your scooter is delivered, our friendly engineer will show you how your scooter works - from initial set up, to steering and braking. We recommend taking full advantage of this free demo session. Our engineers are happy to answer any questions you have and will always make sure that you are comfortable and confident with your new scooter before they leave you. 

Sue is a new Mobility Giant customer and had this to say about her experience, "Great service from Mobility Giant. My scooter was delivered by a really nice man who explained everything to me in great detail. He also showed me how to dismantle the scooter and he only left when I was completely happy. I would recommend Mobility Giant to anyone!” 

Practice driving your mobility scooter

All Mobility Giant mobility scooters come with their very own user manual. Read this at your own pace to get familiar with the ins and outs of your new scooter.  

Being comfortable is vital for scooter safety. Adjust the armrests, neck rest and tiller to create a driving position that feels just right. Once you’re comfortable, head to a large, open space to practice. A quiet car park or private cul-de-sac are great options. Experiment with speeds, steering and braking until you feel confident. See our top driving tips here for more practical advice. 

Stay focused, drive safe

Driving safely is all about avoiding distractions and keeping focused. Never use your phone or other electronic devices when your scooter is in motion. Always give pedestrians the right of way and be mindful of your surroundings. 

When it comes to scooter specs, you'll find that most modern mobility scooters come equipped with a reliable stop-start mechanism and built-in brakes. Be sure to always switch out of freewheel mode once you’re ready to drive to make sure you have total control at all times.  

Keep an eye on the path in front of you. Stick to smooth, dry surfaces whenever possible, and approach new or unfamiliar routes with caution. 

Controlling your scooter’s speed

Whether you have an on-road or off-road mobility scooter, controlling speed is absolutely critical. 

On pavements and in pedestrian areas, you must stick to a maximum of 4mph. This is roughly the speed of a walking human and is surprisingly fast once you get going. If you’re riding a Class 3 mobility scooter on the road, you can take speeds up to 8mph - but never forget to follow The Highway Code.  

Our top tip? Slow down near ramps and kerbs - paying a little caution will go a long way towards keeping you safe.

Mobility scooter battery care

One of the most important features of your mobility scooter is its set of batteries. That’s why battery care is vital for both the health of your scooter and the safety of your drive. 

Always fully charge your battery before setting off to avoid becoming stranded on your travels. Another tip is to avoid letting your scooter batteries run down to flat, as this can cause long-term damage to overall battery health. It's always best to keep a high charge on your scooter – whether it’s in use or not. 

Proper battery maintenance means you’ll have a reliable ride and fewer unexpected breakdowns.

Scooter tyre checks

Regular checks of your scooter tyre can prevent mishaps. Give your tyres a quick tap to ensure they’re fully inflated and free from debris. A few minutes of inspection before each journey can make all the difference.

Scooter balance is key

Keeping good balance on your scooter is commonly overlooked. Whilst your scooter will have a sturdy set of wheels to keep you secure, you can also do your bit to stay safe.  

Avoid tipping over by keeping your weight centered. The best way to do this it to use the scooter’s basket for your shopping or personal belongings, rather than overloading the handlebars. Maintain a forward posture and take kerbs slowly. This small adjustment can prevent sudden imbalances.

Staying visible & keeping dry on your scooter

Visibility is key to safety. Your scooter’s built-in front and rear LED lights are there to keep you seen. Enhance your visibility further by using reflective strips or wearing a hi-vis jacket, especially in fog or poor weather conditions. 

Weather and terrain can also affect your ride. Invest in a waterproof cover to protect your scooter from the elements. In wet or icy conditions, take extra care and avoid overly slippery or uneven surfaces.

What to do if you break down

A breakdown or accident on your mobility scooter is extremely rare, but it can happen. If you find yourself in need of assistance, don’t panic - help is at hand.  

When you hire a mobility scooter with us, you're automatically covered for any breakdown or accident. Our 24-hour breakdown recovery service works just like the RAC or the AA, ensuring that you and your scooter are quickly brought back to safety. Simply call our service hotline and our expert team will be on the way to get you back home and dry – check the bottom of this article for the numbers you need to know.  

Our lovely scooter hire customer, Kiera, says, “I've been hiring my scooter with Mobility Giant for the past 2 years. Unfortunately, my scooter broke down one day, not far from home. A lovely man pushed it home for me, where l immediately rang Mobility Giant. They sent me a 'courtesy’ scooter to use whilst they fixed mine. Unfortunately my scooter was deemed beyond repair, but within 3 days I'd been given another scooter - which to my delight was the same make & model I've had for the last 2 years. Mobility Giant went above & beyond & when my plan comes to an end, I will definitely be renewing my hire, as everyone within the company are nice, polite and really couldnt do enough to make me mobile & independent.”

Our final thoughts on scooter safety

Mobility scooter safety is a combination of knowing your vehicle, proper maintenance and responsible riding. Whether you’re keeping batteries properly charged, or checking the weather before you set off, a little extra care will help to ensure a safe and confident ride on your moblity scooter.

Breakdown Recovery Contact info

Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm: 

01732 240 056 

Out of hours: 

Step 1: Call 0800 3895 150 

Step 2: Quote the Reference No. EM16123