If you don’t have a driver’s licence but still want to get around, go to the supermarket and visit friends and family a scooter can be a good option.

Mobility scooters are a safe and simple way to keep your independence.  They can help make it easier to take part in activities and see family and friends.

Mobility scooters are growing in popularity and are a great safe and affordable alternative for people to retain their independence if they struggle to walk long distances.

Mobility scooters make it easier for you to move around. You will benefit from increased independence if you have difficulty moving due to disability, illness or injury.

They are a good replacement for those who are having difficulty driving, or who no longer have a licence. Scooters are easier to use than driving a car, and their low speed means they are less of a hazard to the person using it and others on the footpath.

Consider the area that you will most often be moving around in – if there is steep terrain, ensure you choose a scooter that has enough power to move up and down the terrain.

Consider if you will be carrying large or heavy loads and ensure that the scooter you choose is capable of doing this. You could also look at additional storage capacity on your scooter.

If you will mainly be using your scooter at home, or in shops and shopping centres, ensure you have one that will manoeuvre through your home’s doorways and gates, and a shop’s aisles.

Scooters come in a range of sizes and power – so it’s important to choose the one that suits you.

Make sure you can reach the controls comfortably and that the seat is high enough, so your legs are not getting in the way of controls. Most models have adjustable seat, armrest and steering.

Scooters can safely be transported in wheelchair accessible vehicles, including taxis, using a tie-down system.

The advantage of a three-wheel scooter is that they provide extra leg room.

They can be good for people who are tall, have long legs, or anyone who may have leg or knee injuries.

They also have a tighter turning circle.

Four 4 wheeled scooters provide better stability, comfort, safety and ease of use.

A small range of foldable scooters are available. These are scooters that can be folded and lifted into a car.

You should consider who will be folding and lifting the scooter and the type of car it will be carried in.

Also make sure that you feel comfortable using the scooter, as folding scooters are typically smaller, more uncomfortable and won’t carry a taller, or larger person as easily. Battery life can also be shorter than non-folding scooters.

It’s important that you test drive the scooter you are interested in purchasing to make sure it is comfortable, and you feel confident operating it.

You need to be able to get on and off the scooter without assistance. Scooters have arms that fold up and swivel seats to make this manoeuvre easier.

Check how easy it is for you to operate the hand controls. How easy is it to turn your head? You’ll need to look out for pedestrians and traffic.