Segways and the law

Our man in Havana

Are segways legal to use by civilians in a public place? Do they need tax and insurance?

Croc

Bond-007 wrote: »

Are segways legal to use by civilians in a public place? Do they need tax and insurance?

Reading this i would think they do, it appears to be a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle as defined by Road Traffic Act 1961

"mechanically propelled vehicle" means, subject to subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including—

( a ) a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used,

( b ) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical

Hooch

Bond-007 wrote: »

Are segways legal to use by civilians in a public place? Do they need tax and insurance?

Yes as CROC posted they do need tax and insurance. Then comes the arguement that they need lights during lighting up hours and registration plates etc etc etc.

Trojan911

Croc wrote: »

( b ) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical

Interesting, so what about those little golf type electrical chairs the elderly use to nip in & out of the shops? I've never seen a tax disc on those, but then I've never looked out for them.

-aboutagirl-

I worked in a company that used them for promotional purposes and we never had tax, insurance, reg plates or anything! Perhaps we should have though

O'Coonassa

Surely they travel on pavements like motorised invalid buggies and wheelchairs neither of which need tax?

Hooch

They have an exemption in law.

And of course comon sense and cop on come into play there.....I hope:D

Our man in Havana

nice guy always wrote: »

They have an exemption in law.

And of course comon sense and cop on come into play there.....I hope:D

The invalid buggys and not the segways?

Croc

O'Coonassa wrote: »

Surely they travel on pavements like motorised invalid buggies and wheelchairs neither of which need tax?

I have seen a guy successfully prosecuted for drink driving in a mortised buggy but as nice guy says its normally the common sense rule.

Hooch

Bond-007 wrote: »

The invalid buggys and not the segways?

The invalid buggy. Was sure it is an exemption in legislation but tried to find it and cant. So common since come in for me anyway!!!

impr0v

I read somewhere over the weekend that George Lee commutes on one...

Our man in Havana

Get him!