Do you have to have a valid drivers liscense to operate a battery powered scooter in public?

Question

I am disabled and can't walk to end of street without my cane. I live in small town and was thinking about getting a mobility scooter for the disabled to go to library, MacDonalds, etc. since it's just about 2-3 blocks from my house. They don't go over 5-7 miles an hour and are to be ridden on sidewalk or side of road. They are not considered road vehichles. I live in Tennessee and really need an answer to this. Does anyone out there happen to know the laws on this? I have looked everywhere, including TN.gov. Thanks for any help. By the way, it is no problem getting my doctors to sign a form saying I need a form of transpo for any distance because I can't walk it unassisted if this would make a difference.

Answer 1

No.  You do not have to have a driver's license to operate a mobility scooter.

Answer 2

It took a while, but here is the Tennessee law on mobility devices, i'm originally from Tenn. and also disabled, so i thought i would do what i could to help. Unfortunately, i live in Ga. and am having a hard time getting a scooter cause my Dr. is lazy. Feel free to email me if you need any further help.

55-53-105. Regulation of use. — Electric Personal Mobility Device

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, no county, city or town may institute a general prohibition on the use or operation of EPAMDs; provided, that any such county, city or town may reasonably regulate the use or operation of EPAMDs. Such regulations may include the restriction, limitation or exclusion on the use or operation of EPAMDs, if necessary, in the interest of public safety or in the interest of the preservation of natural areas and only to the same extent as bicycles are restricted, limited or excluded.

  

[Acts 2002, ch. 734, § 6.]



krystan