PMA riders to be medically certified, only those with genuine medical needs allowed
From early next year, only those with genuine medical needs will be allowed to use mobility scooters as personal mobility aids (PMA), with riders to be medically certified.
This was announced in Parliament on Tuesday (5 March) by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng.
Source: Baey Yam Keng on Facebook
New rules implemented from Q1 2026, exact timeline to be confirmed
Speaking during the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Mr Baey said the ministry had accepted recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel which were made last December.
The new rules would be implemented from the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, he added.
Source: CNA
The exact timeline will depend on when legislation can be amended through Parliament “later this year”, he explained, adding:
We will provide sufficient transition time for users and other stakeholders.
New test for PMA users to get medically certified from Q4 2025
Under the new rules, only users with certified medical needs or walking difficulties will be allowed to use mobility scooters.
Those with PMAs subsidised under the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) will be automatically certified without needing to get additional certification.
All others must undergo a new test called an Assessment for Mobility Scooter (AMS) from Q4 2025.
This includes first-time purchasers of subsidised PMAs under ATF and SMF after AMS has commenced.
Source: Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving on Facebook
Mr Baey advised users not to approach healthcare professionals to obtain medical certification yet, but wait for more details to be released in the third quarter of this year.
PMA speed limit to be lowered to 6 kmh
Another new rule will see the speed limit of motorised PMAs (i.e. mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs) lowered to 6 kmh, from the current 10 kmh.
This is “the same speed as a brisk walker”, Mr Baey noted, saying:
So that is a reasonable top speed allowable since PMAs are meant for those with walking difficulties.
Genuine PMA users may continue to use their existing PMAs until the end of 2028 as long as they travel at up to 6 kmh.
PMA dimension restrictions to be same for public paths & transport
Additionally, the dimension restrictions for PMAs used on public paths will be the same as for PMAs used on public transport.
Thus, they will need to have a maximum length of 120cm, width of 70cm, height of 150cm and laden weight of 300kg.
Source: Land Transport Authority on Facebook
Users with proof that they medically require PMAs larger than these restrictions will be exempted.
It will be an offence to display, advertise and sell PMAs that exceed these dimension limits, or have speed limits above 6 kmh.
New reules to address misuse of PMAs
The new rules are meant to address public concern over PMAs being misused by able-bodied individuals.
Speeding and overly large PMAs have also caused “anxiety and concern”, Mr Baey said, as they compromise the safety of other path users, especially young children and seniors.
However, they also aim to remain inclusive to those in genuine need of mobility aids, MOT said, adding:
We encourage all users to share our paths safely and graciously. We will continue to raise awareness of the upcoming rules for PMAs through public education efforts.
Also read: Offences involving PMA lookalikes up by more than 5 times in 2024, LTA taking firm action
Offences involving PMA lookalikes up by more than 5 times in 2024, LTA taking firm action
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Featured image adapted from Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving on Facebook.
