Are there any electric vehicles that don’t require a driver’s license?
Monday, May 4th, 2009 at
10:32 pm
My mother, who is legally blind, wants a vehicle that she can drive, but that doesn't qualify as an automobile. She also won't consider garden tractors, golf carts or something similar. We've seen several electric cars out, but they all qualify as automobiles. Any ideas?
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Tagged with: automobile • automobiles • Electric Cars • garden tractors • golf carts
Filed under: Electric Vehicles
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Try a mobility scooter
http://www.mobility-direct.co.uk/mobilityscooters.html
Most places in the world they need to be registered, but is a concessional registration (virtually free). There is no licence required.
Depending on the degree of visual impairment, another option could be a motorised bicycle or trike.(upright or recumbent.) Examples here
http://www.electric-bikes.com/trikes/trikes.html#TerraTrike
These are capable of quite high speeds (particularly recumbents) , but can be ridden slowly, within her limits.
Commonly an electric motor and a speed restriction are required to ensure they are considered the same as a bicycle. You will need to check your traffic act to see what restrictions apply to you.
3 wheeled electric bike
riding lawnmower?
If its going to be on public roads it must be registered insured and she must have a valid license
If it can be driven on the road, it must be registered and she must have a drivers license.
And she's blind to boot, sure send your blind mother into the middle of traffic on an electric scooter. That sounds like a great idea.
A person with sight in one eye is vision impaired, not legally blind. I have never heard of a legally blind person getting a license.
A *blind* person wants to drive? are you nuts?
Sure, electric lawn mowers. You need a really long extension cord, though.
Golf cart or electric wheel chair. ~
If she does not consider the only alternatives, she'll just have to walk.
Wayfarer has used 'Registered' or 'Legally' blind and these are the correct terms. Unfortunately what many people do not understand is that most people with this registration still have some vision. The amount and quality varies from person to person.
There is no reason whatsoever, a person with only sight in one eye can not drive a car. If that person's vision in the other eye is good enough and the consultant confirms this. Similarly someone who is unable to drive could use an electric wheelchair if their vision is good enough.
My best advice is to take your mum and her written diagnosis to a mobility dealer who will advise you. Once you have some suggestions from the dealer, run these ideas by the Consultant to confirm that your mum will be safe.
One thought. I wonder why your mum is not driving? Sorry Social Work training. If this is because she has a condition that prevents her from doing so? Like she has had a stroke/Parkinson's Disease. Then not being allowed to drive is for very good safety reasons, there is often a high chance of re-occurrence of stroke and 'freezes' in Parkinson's etc. It would be foolish to drive any vehicle if this is the case.
Can I just clarify:
that a mobility dealer is not a car dealership. It is somebody who provides disability aids/products. If your mum is not been allowed to drive an electric wheelchair because of OTHER conditions (such as Stroke) then under no circumstances should she use ANY vehicle. Which is why I suggest that she takes her WRITTEN DIAGNOSIS to the MOBILITY (disability aids) dealer and then gets her Consultant to Confirm it is appropriate.
The question is Are there any electric vehicles that don't require a driver's license? Yes if her vision (although registered blind) is still good enough she can use a mobility vehicle (electric wheelchair or other appropriate vehicle). If her consultant confirms that this is appropriate. No vehicle (electric wheelchair or mobility aid, scooter, golf cart or garden tractors etc) should be used EVER if she is forbidden to use a vehicle (such as electric wheelchair) due to another cause where there is risk of another occurrence or deterioration. However sight loss in one eye alone (as Grizz points out is not registered blind) and the other eye is still good then you can retain your license and drive on the road. However, if you have total loss in one eye and some loss in the other you will only be allowed to drive a electric wheelchair etc if your Consultant confirms that in your particular case your vision is adequate and it is safe for you to do so.
In most states, the requirement for motorized vehicles without registration or licenses is that they go under 20 mph. (That's why electric bicycles have governors on their motors so that they give no power assist if the bicycle is going over 20 mph.) So it will probably be the case that she will need to choose a vehicle with a 20 mph speed limitation. If she likes bike riding, she could get an electric bicycle. There are many models of electric bikes, some that you have to pedal, and others where no pedaling is required. Some look and handle like regular bikes, and others come in 3 or 4 wheel configurations. If an electric bike isn't her style, then probably a mobility scooter or golf cart may be her best bet.
take your poor old blind mom out yourself–young whippersnapper!!
Yeah, a golf cart.