Charley
I'm currently attending college in Towson and since I didn't have a car of my own to bring (but freshman are allowed to have them on campus) and there are many places that are simply too far for me to bike to, I was considering getting a Vespa or a moped or something like that. However, being from New York I have no understanding of Maryland's laws regarding ownership, licenses, the cost of insurance, where I can buy a Vespa/moped, etc.
If any one has any information it would be really great.
Answer
you can ride a scooter or moped in Maryland with a regular drivers license so long as it is 50cc or under, and / or limited to 2.7bhp (brake horsepower), and has an automatic transmission. if a Vespa style scooter (as opposed to a moped, which has pedals) it must have a "step through" chassis / floorboard. at least one of the wheels must be 10 inches or more in diameter
you must have a drivers license of one class or another to ride the scooter / moped on public roads, but a motorcycle license is not required so long as it meets the above mentioned criteria. the license does not have to be from the state of Maryland, but must be from your state of official legal residence. if this is now Maryland and not New York, you must get a drivers license for Maryland. you may also operate the scooter or moped with a moped permit, but if your regular drivers license has been revoked or suspended you will not qualify for one.
you do not have to, nor can you, title or register the scooter or moped in Maryland. so that is simple. you can simply buy one and ride it if you meet the basic individual licensing requirements. you do not need insurance.
you will be subject to the same laws which govern bicycles. the basics of which are as follows:
When operating a motor scooter, the rider must ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practical and safe except when:
Making a left turn.
Operating on a one-way street.
Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle.
Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards.
The right lane is a right turn only lane.
Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side.
you are encouraged to but not required to wear a helmet. you may not ride on roadways where the posted speed limit exceeds 50mph. you may not exceed 30mph yourself. if the roadway has a paved bike lane or smooth right shoulder, you must use it
so far as recommendations on where to buy one which meets these requirements, and which ones would, here are a few in your area
Moto Strada is near you for a Genuine Buddy 50cc or Roughhouse 50cc. the Buddy's should be about $2000, the Buddy Internationals a little more. but, maybe less as the 125cc and 150's are on special from the factory. only pay MSRP+ tax. never pay for dealer prep, freight, etc. at least not fully. get the best deal possible and if not, walk away. they'll get close to what you offer. this goes for any dealer. these come with two year, unlimited mile warranties. also take a look at the Kymco 50cc models. excellent, one and all. and with the same two year warranty.
http://www.motostrada.com/newbikes.php
Pete's Cycle is also near you. they have Kymco, and also Honda and Yamaha. personally i prefer Kymco and Genuine scooters, but Yamaha has a few selections in the 50cc range, too. Honda has just two, the Metropolitan and Ruckus. both of which are good scooters. but make no mistake, Genuine and Kymco are just as well, and expand your purchasing choices. look at this way: Honda and Yamaha sell motorcycles and some scooters. Genuine and Kymco pretty much sell scooters. it's their main business.
http://www.petescycle.com/new_vehicle_category.asp
and don't forget your local Craigslist for lots of low cost used scooters. just stick with the name brands when buying used such as Kymco, Genuine, SYM, Yamaha, Honda, Vespa, Piaggio, etc. don't buy a used chinese scooter. really no need to. if it's a no name generic or called Fly, Lance, Tank, CFMoto, BMS, Jonway, SunL, Znen, and countless others, skip it.
hope this helps you get a good, useful scooter :)
you can ride a scooter or moped in Maryland with a regular drivers license so long as it is 50cc or under, and / or limited to 2.7bhp (brake horsepower), and has an automatic transmission. if a Vespa style scooter (as opposed to a moped, which has pedals) it must have a "step through" chassis / floorboard. at least one of the wheels must be 10 inches or more in diameter
you must have a drivers license of one class or another to ride the scooter / moped on public roads, but a motorcycle license is not required so long as it meets the above mentioned criteria. the license does not have to be from the state of Maryland, but must be from your state of official legal residence. if this is now Maryland and not New York, you must get a drivers license for Maryland. you may also operate the scooter or moped with a moped permit, but if your regular drivers license has been revoked or suspended you will not qualify for one.
you do not have to, nor can you, title or register the scooter or moped in Maryland. so that is simple. you can simply buy one and ride it if you meet the basic individual licensing requirements. you do not need insurance.
you will be subject to the same laws which govern bicycles. the basics of which are as follows:
When operating a motor scooter, the rider must ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practical and safe except when:
Making a left turn.
Operating on a one-way street.
Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle.
Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards.
The right lane is a right turn only lane.
Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side.
you are encouraged to but not required to wear a helmet. you may not ride on roadways where the posted speed limit exceeds 50mph. you may not exceed 30mph yourself. if the roadway has a paved bike lane or smooth right shoulder, you must use it
so far as recommendations on where to buy one which meets these requirements, and which ones would, here are a few in your area
Moto Strada is near you for a Genuine Buddy 50cc or Roughhouse 50cc. the Buddy's should be about $2000, the Buddy Internationals a little more. but, maybe less as the 125cc and 150's are on special from the factory. only pay MSRP+ tax. never pay for dealer prep, freight, etc. at least not fully. get the best deal possible and if not, walk away. they'll get close to what you offer. this goes for any dealer. these come with two year, unlimited mile warranties. also take a look at the Kymco 50cc models. excellent, one and all. and with the same two year warranty.
http://www.motostrada.com/newbikes.php
Pete's Cycle is also near you. they have Kymco, and also Honda and Yamaha. personally i prefer Kymco and Genuine scooters, but Yamaha has a few selections in the 50cc range, too. Honda has just two, the Metropolitan and Ruckus. both of which are good scooters. but make no mistake, Genuine and Kymco are just as well, and expand your purchasing choices. look at this way: Honda and Yamaha sell motorcycles and some scooters. Genuine and Kymco pretty much sell scooters. it's their main business.
http://www.petescycle.com/new_vehicle_category.asp
and don't forget your local Craigslist for lots of low cost used scooters. just stick with the name brands when buying used such as Kymco, Genuine, SYM, Yamaha, Honda, Vespa, Piaggio, etc. don't buy a used chinese scooter. really no need to. if it's a no name generic or called Fly, Lance, Tank, CFMoto, BMS, Jonway, SunL, Znen, and countless others, skip it.
hope this helps you get a good, useful scooter :)
Is insurance required on a motorized bicycle in Arkansas?
ymvv2000
I was charged and fined for no insurance when riding a motorized bicycle in Arkansas. One month later, same city, the same judge dismissed an identical "no insurance" ticket because the rider was riding a 'scooter' (motorized bicycle). Is there a clear cut law to determine whether liability insurance is required on a motorized bicycle even though registration is clearly NOT required?
Answer
Arkansas Moped Laws
Moped definition
A motorized bicycle, or moped, must have human powered pedals, an automoatic transmission, a motor less than 50 cubic centimeters that does not propel the bike faster than 30mph. A moped should also be equipped with headlights with a capacity for 250 feet, a rear red reflector visible at 150 feet, a red light lamp visible at 250 feet at the rear, brakes, a horn, and a muffler.
"Motor-driven cycle" definition
This includes most mini-bikes and three wheelers. A motor-driven cycle is a vehicle that must have a motor displacement less than 250 cubic centimeters.
Licensing Information
To operate a moped, an individual is required to have a standard operator's license, but is not required to have a motorcylce license.
To operate a motor-driven cycle, there is no age limit, but operators older than 16 must possess a valid drivers license.
Registration Information
Mopeds with motors less than 50ccs and have an automatic transmission are exempt from registration fees. Mopeds with motors less than 50ccs which have a manual transmission have a $3.00 registration fee with a $2.50 validation fee. Motorcycles less than 250ccs have the same registration fees as mopeds with manual transmissions.
Moped Safety
Individuals are not required to wear helmet protection or eye protection while operating a moped.
It is illegal for a moped to carry more than one person unless it is properly equipped with a side car or seat with feet supports. However, no one under the age of 16 can carry another person as a passenger
As to insurance, there is no clear cut answer. The web page says this:
Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined
The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is ready to help you determine whether your two-wheeled vehicle requires liability coverage before you can title and register it. Contact a representative at (501) 682-4692.
Arkansas Moped Laws
Moped definition
A motorized bicycle, or moped, must have human powered pedals, an automoatic transmission, a motor less than 50 cubic centimeters that does not propel the bike faster than 30mph. A moped should also be equipped with headlights with a capacity for 250 feet, a rear red reflector visible at 150 feet, a red light lamp visible at 250 feet at the rear, brakes, a horn, and a muffler.
"Motor-driven cycle" definition
This includes most mini-bikes and three wheelers. A motor-driven cycle is a vehicle that must have a motor displacement less than 250 cubic centimeters.
Licensing Information
To operate a moped, an individual is required to have a standard operator's license, but is not required to have a motorcylce license.
To operate a motor-driven cycle, there is no age limit, but operators older than 16 must possess a valid drivers license.
Registration Information
Mopeds with motors less than 50ccs and have an automatic transmission are exempt from registration fees. Mopeds with motors less than 50ccs which have a manual transmission have a $3.00 registration fee with a $2.50 validation fee. Motorcycles less than 250ccs have the same registration fees as mopeds with manual transmissions.
Moped Safety
Individuals are not required to wear helmet protection or eye protection while operating a moped.
It is illegal for a moped to carry more than one person unless it is properly equipped with a side car or seat with feet supports. However, no one under the age of 16 can carry another person as a passenger
As to insurance, there is no clear cut answer. The web page says this:
Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined
The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is ready to help you determine whether your two-wheeled vehicle requires liability coverage before you can title and register it. Contact a representative at (501) 682-4692.
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