moped laws

[leo]

what is/ are the moped laws in your state?

indiana:
A moped, or "Motorized bicycle," is a two (2) or three (3) wheeled vehicle, that is propelled by an internal combustion engine or a battery powered motor. If it is powered by a motor, the engine have less than two horsepower, a cyclinder capacity less than 50c.c., an automatic transmission, and a maximum speed less than 25mph on a flat surface. Electric mopeds are only required to travel less than 25mph on a flat surface.
moped2.org/laws/Indiana.htm

[Leader]

I published an article on the quirky moped law in Massachusetts.
www.associatedcontent.com/article/13585/buying_a_50_cc_scooter_in_massachusetts.html

[scooterollie]

There is variation in the wording of the moped/scooter law in many states. What it boils down to is that in just about all cases, the current stock of 50 cc scoots don't really meet the letter of the law in one or more ways. For example, my 1976 moped has a 49 cc engine that is severely restricted and struggles to get up to 30 mph. Don't know of any self respecting 50 cc modern scoot that won't do better, easily. Most states seem to ignore the fact that modern scoots don't comply and don't hassle the 50 cc riders but some municipalities do give them grief.

[earlwb]

basically in Texas you need to have at least a moped operator's license, along with registering and titling the moped. You also have to have liability insurance and you still need to get the state inspection as well.
About the only saving thing is you do not have to do the actual driving test if you are using a moped.

Moped Defintion

A motor driven cycle whose speed attainable in one mile is not more than 30 miles per hour and that is equipped with a motor that produces not more than two-brake horsepower. If an internal combustion engine is used, the piston displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters and the power drive system may not require the operator to shift gears.
Motorcycle Definition

Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to propel itself with not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor.
Motor-driven cycle Definition

A motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less.
Moped License requirements

A moped operator’s license is required for operators of mopeds. A person must be at least fifteen (15) years old to be issued a license to operate a moped. The department shall examine applicants for that type of license by administering to them a written examination concerning traffic laws applicable to the operation of mopeds. No test involving the operation of the vehicle is required. All applicable provisions of this Act governing restricted operator’s licenses for the operation of motorcycles only also apply to moped operator’s licenses, including provisions relating to the application, issuance, duration, suspension, and cancellation of those licenses.
Helmet Laws

Effective September 1, 1997, persons at least 21 years old are exempt from wearing a motorcycle helmet if they:

* have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course
* OR are covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding upon a motorcycle.

Additional helmet safety information for the state of Texas can be found at Texas DPS

Moped Title Registration

Mopeds and motorcycles are required to be registered in Texas. The annual registration fee for mopeds and motorcycles is $30.30.Registration and a title are required to obtain insurance.

After purchasing a moped, when you file the title application, you must pay the motor vehicle sales tax, which is 6.25 percent of the purchase price.You must also provide proof of liability insurance when you title and/or register your vehicle, so take your insurance card.
Other Laws

Laws that apply to a bicycle also apply to a moped, other than a provision that by its nature cannot apply to a moped.

* A lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the moped is required for night time use
* A red reflector visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear is required.
* Mopeds must be equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
* A person operating a moped on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:
o the operator is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction
o the operator is preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway
o a condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard width lane, prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway
* A person may not use a moped to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.
* A person operating a moped may not use the moped to carry an object that prevents the person from operating the moped with at least one hand on the handlebars of the moped.
* A person operating a bicycle, coaster, sled, or toy vehicle or using roller skates may not attach either the person or the bicycle, coaster, sled, toy vehicle, or roller skates to a streetcar or vehicle on a roadway.

# External Resources Texas Department of Transportation
# Texas DPS Motorcycle Safety

[monty57]

This web site has all the laws for each state.

moped2.org/mstates.htm

The Missouri law sum up like this;
1.Must have drivers license
2.No use on interstate highways
3.Not more than 50Cs
4.Less than 30mph on level grade
5.Ride as far to right as possible
6.Less than 3 brake horsepower
Nothing else except standard lighting, brakes, and auto transmission

I live in a rural area and was stopped by one of up and coming young (ie, don't think he shaves yet) and said it had to be licensed and to "get it off the street"

I call the MDOT and they said they do not and will not title or license a scooter less than 50cc and the deputy was wrong. Soooooo I put a copy of the law under the seat and next time he stopped me I handed it to him. After reading he radio in to his office and they confirmed. Believe it or not he apologized and off he went.

I have since sold the little bugger but carrying a copy of the law for your state may not be a bad idea.

[scooterlizard]

Here is Florida's interpretation of Moped.

Scooters and Mopeds

What are Scooters and Mopeds?

Scooters are usually two-wheel motorcycle-type motor vehicles 50 cc or less or 2 brake horsepower or less gas engines that have automatic transmissions. Mopeds also have 50 cc or less engines with two wheels, but have pedals and may be operated solely by human power.

In order to legally operate scooters, mopeds, and other 2-3 wheel small engine motor vehicles, at least a Class E driver license and tag/registration are required.

Persons 16 and older may operate a moped or ride as a passenger without a helmet. Persons under 16 may not operate a moped, but may ride as a passenger with protective headgear securely fastened upon their head.

motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/scooterpeds.cfm?getsubid=8

[YellowScooter]

NC
A person 16yrs+ old may operate a 50cc scooter or moped.
No license, tag, or insurance is required.
Must wear a helmet.
No riding on the sidewalks or on the interstate.
DWI laws apply to scooters and mopeds and a scooter will be forfeited to the state upon arrest.

[Dennis D]

Leo,
In reality, the BMV in Indiana will NOT title or register 50cc scooters or motorcycles at all, because they claim that if they have street legal equipment, they are mopeds. The police read the law as you pasted it into your message, and basically say if they can go over around 30mph, they are clearly NOT a moped.

The crux of the matter is that in the case of kids, they're stopping them right and left for anything that runs around 30 mph or more. Big reason... kids are doing all kinds of things wrong with them, including not following traffic laws, or helmets(which kids under 16 are always supposed to wear on any motorized vehicle). For adults, behave responsibly, obey all traffic laws, wear a helmet(to show that you don't believe yourself to be brainless), and keep it at 35mph or less if there's a cop coming up on you, and they will usually leave you alone.

There are ocassional exceptions I've heard of... but for those few times, it generally works to get a statement from the BMV that it can't be licensed because they consider it a moped. On a number of ocassions that I'm aware of, judges have thrown out tickets for riding unregistered vehicles upon being presented with the statement by the BMV to that effect. Most cops know this... and if you keep your nose clean, you're not likely to be hassled. We've put around 3500 miles on 50cc scooters in Ft Wayne, usually running 34 to 38 mph, without having any incidents with the LEO's.

[kurt]

Here's the scoop in New York (www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm#MOPEDS):

The Vehicle and Traffic Law defines a limited use motorcycle as "a low-speed vehicle with two or three wheels." Terms frequently used for limited use motorcycles are "mopeds" and "motor scooters."

The requirements to operate a moped are like those for motorcycles. You must have a driver license and you must register a moped to drive it on streets and highways. The exceptions to these requirements are listed in the table below. You can never operate a moped on a sidewalk.

The DMV certifies a moped as a Class A, Class B or Class C limited use motorcycle according to top speed. The manufacturer requests the certification through the DMV Technical Services Bureau. Only a DMV-certified model of limited-use motorcycle can get a registration in NYS. The phone number for the Technical Services Bureau is [phone].

Classes:

A. Top speed <= 40 MPH. Requires a motorcycle license to operate.

B. Top speed <= 30 MPH. Does NOT require a motorcycle license, but DOES require a drivers license to operate.

C. Top speed <= 20 MPH. Like Class B, but does NOT require a helmet.

If it can go faster than 40 it's a motorcycle, regardless of what it looks like.

By the way, these definitions apply regardless of engine size, whether or not it has pedals, or whether it's gas or electric. There's a move afoot to change Class C electrics with pedals to be considered bicycles. This change would allow kids without drivers licenses to operate them, and would change insurance classifications (which is a big deal if you want to rent them!)

[newc77]

Ohio: Moped must have pedals and a 49cc or smaller. A special endorsement is needed. Check the Ohio BMV website for a special page on the moped law.
Tom