Ask Phoebe: Mobility scooters intended for footpath use wherever practicable

You must not drive a mobility device on a roadway if it is practicable to drive it on a footpath. Photo / Thinkstock

Can you tell me if mobility scooters are permitted to drive on the roads like cars? We live on a route to the local shops and are alarmed that there is a guy who drives back from shopping in the centre of the left hand lane as if he is driving a car. We and our neighbours are concerned about his actions as we consider him to be a hazard to himself and other road users - he holds up vehicles behind him - and have considered asking the police to have a chat to him. I have found out where he lives but don't want a personal confrontation.
Jim Taylor, Orewa.

The Road User rules state that a mobility device is defined as a vehicle that is designed and constructed for use by persons who require mobility assistance due to a physical or neurological impairment, and is powered solely by a motor that has a maximum power output not exceeding 1500W.

You must not drive a mobility device on a roadway if it is practicable to drive it on a footpath. On the road, you must keep as close as possible to the edge of the roadway. On the footpath you must ride carefully, be considerate of others on the footpath and not ride at speeds that put other footpath users at risk.

According to the Transport Agency website, you don't need a driver licence to operate a mobility device, nor are they required to have a warrant of fitness or registration. But there are requirements for where and how you can use them.

Road tax is paid at the pump for petrol vehicles and purchased separately for diesel vehicles, but how is it collected for hybrid vehicles when running on their electric motors? Doug Saxon, Auckland.

According to the updated Road User Charge (RUC) Regulations, which came into force on July 1 last year, light electric RUC vehicles whose motive power is derived wholly or partly from an external source of electricity are exempt from charges. This exemption period expires in June 2020.

Hybrid vehicles use a combination of petrol or diesel engine, a battery and an on-board electric motor. The batteries power the electric motor to assist the combustion engine for activities that consume a lot of energy, such as accelerating from a standstill. This reduces the car's fuel consumption.

The battery in a hybrid vehicle is charged by the combustion engine and regenerative braking. This means that hybrids do not plug in to an electricity supply to recharge, their only source of energy is the fuel used by the engine.

A computer decides when to use either the combustion engine or the electric motor or both to minimise the fuel consumption, or in some cases to maximise performance. A newer form of hybrid, the "plug-in hybrid", can also have its battery recharged from external electricity supplies.

I'm not sure whether this completely answers your question, and I would be delighted to hear from anyone who can provide more information.