Motorised wheelchairs
A motorised wheelchair used by a person with a disability on a road, or footpath, must be registered as a motorised wheelchair. Motorised wheelchairs may be registered to an individual or to an organisation. These organisations may include nursing homes, shopping centres, education institutions and hire companies.
If you do not usually reside in Queensland, please refer to section on Travelling with your motorised wheelchair.
Fees and Charges:
There are no fees for registration or compulsory third party (CTP) insurance for motorised wheelchairs. However, free CTP insurance is provided by the Nominal Defendant† if the motorised wheelchair is registered.
†The Nominal Defendant is a statutory body established under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 for the purpose of compensating people who are injured as a result of the negligent driving of unidentified and/or uninsured (no compulsory third party insurance) motor vehicles.
There are also no transfer fees for a motorised wheelchair.
Once your motorised wheelchair is registered, a leaflet titled Information about motorised wheelchair use (PDF, 243 KB) will be mailed to you. This explains the Queensland Road Rules relating to motorised wheelchairs. You will receive a copy of the leaflet with the new registration label each year. Through this leaflet, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will be able to notify you of any changes to where you may use your wheelchair.
Registration requirements—individual
When registering a motorised wheelchair for the first time, the applicant must provide a certificate/statement/letter from either a medical practitioner, a registered occupational therapist or a registered physiotherapist confirming that due to a physical or medical condition the person’s mobility is severely impaired and they require the use of a motorised wheelchair for assisted travel. A certificate/letter/statement from a medical practitioner, a registered occupational therapist or a registered physiotherapist must be provided each time a different motorised wheelchair is registered.
Other requirements include completion of:
Registration requirements—organisation
At the time of registration, an organisation must complete page 2 of Motorised Wheelchair Statement form (F4414) certifying that:
The motorised wheelchair will be used solely for the benefit of the residents, shoppers, students or hirers who have a certificate/statement/letter from either a medical practitioner, a registered occupational therapist or a registered physiotherapist confirming that due to a physical or medical condition the person’s mobility is severely impaired and they require the the use of a motorised wheelchair for assisted travel. Motorised wheelchair users will abide by, and be made aware of, the Queensland Road Rules.
Other requirements include completion of:
- a Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518)
- a Vehicle Details form (F3529)
- evidence of the vehicle's origin — old registration papers or a purchase receipt are acceptable
- evidence of the vehicle's garage address (must be a Queensland address) — property rates notice, gas, phone electricity bill are acceptable
- suitable organisation identification such as a Certificate of Incorporation (issued by the Office of Fair Trading), Business Registration Certificate (issued by the Office of Fair Trading), Certificate of Company registration (issued by ASIC As a registered business is not a legal entity, identification for the legal entity behind the business must also be provided. Organisation representatives must also bring personal identification.
Travelling with your motorised wheelchair
For information about travelling on public transport with your wheelchair, please refer to the travelling with a wheelchair or mobility scooter page.
If the motorised wheelchair is being used by a person who does not usually reside in Queensland or has resided in Queensland for not more than 14 days, the motorised wheelchair is exempt from registration. However, if the person becomes a permanent resident of Queensland or has resided in Queensland for more than 14 days, they must apply to register their wheelchair.
