Who Can Use a Motorized Shopping Cart?

Motorized shopping carts can help you shop when walking or standing for the length of a grocery trip is difficult, whether that need is ongoing or temporary. You do not need to guess whether someone else “looks” eligible; mobility needs are not always visible.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating who are motorized carts for.

A temporary injury, illness, or other condition that makes walking difficult may be a good reason to use a cart, but availability does not make it a recreational vehicle. If you are unsure about a particular store’s rules, ask an employee before taking a cart, and leave it available for shoppers who need it if you can shop comfortably without one.

You should be able to get on and off the cart safely, reach its controls, and steer and stop it without putting yourself or others at risk. Follow any posted instructions or weight limits, keep your speed low around people and displays, and ask for help if a narrow aisle or crowded checkout is difficult to navigate.

Plan your list before you go so you can spend less time navigating the store, and choose a less crowded shopping time when that is possible for you. Our Smart Cart, Full Wallet: How to Food Shop on a Budget Without Sacrificing Taste guide focuses on grocery budgeting and meal planning; for more on this question, read our motorized shopping cart article.

Return the cart to the store’s designated spot and make sure it is parked where it will not block an aisle, entrance, or accessible route. If the cart seems damaged or does not respond as expected, stop using it and tell an employee rather than trying to continue shopping.