Which states require no license?

[kronicle]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to find out which states do not require a license of any kind to drive a 49cc scooter/moped on the roads. Basically all places where you can buy a scooter straight from a shop and start riding it freely. I understand registration and insurance may still be required but those are much smaller concerns for me. I don't drive cars so I need to educate myself on where I can drive a scooter and how far I can go with one. I've learned they are not allowed on interstate highways under no circumstances of I read correctly which really bums me because I've always wanted to take a road trip to wherever, perhaps even across America driving just a scooter. People do it on bicycles all the time so why can't we?

I live in Louisiana and after doing research I'm still not quite certain if I can or can't use them here without any license but if I can't the information requested above will be very helpful. I appreciate anything anyone can provide for me. Thank you.

[spaz12]

Nevada: 49cc 

License     YES
Insurance  NO 

[iwiketuddlz]

North Carolina
50cc/30mph
Liscence <<< no
Insurance <<<<NO....but next year <<<yes

[Corrosion]

PA:
State Inspection / yearly
Registration /yearly
Insurance yearly
Scooter under 50cc, Auto trans, Step Thru Design, Regular Drivers License
Over 50cc / Requires Motorcycle Endorsement.
Goggles & Helmet / San's Helmet after 21yrs or Under 21 - Must be licensed for 2 years of completed safety courses
50cc single lane roads -30 mph.
PA, land oF a millon laws, and the planets worst roads.

[dude]

Indiana
49cc
Plates
Endorsement
35mph

[kronicle]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! And wow those PA laws look ruthless.

[dude]

I wonder if there are any states that will tear you down or dyno. I guess like they do in Europe?
I heard one county in Indiana was looking at factory housepower.

[usmcdoc]

Michigan: Up to 100cc, speed not to exceed 35mph.
License : No. Scooter permit yes. Easy 25 question test and no road test. Test is mostly common sense and identification of road signs etc.
Registration: Yes. Every 3 years at a fee of $15.00. Tag is valid for 3 years.
Insurance: No.
Helmet not required for Scooters or Motorcycles any longer.
Must be at least 15 years old to ride a Scooter or Moped.

[usmcdoc]

Jul 26, 2015 20:06:37 GMT -5 dude said:

I wonder if there are any states that will tear you down or dyno. I guess like they do in Europe?
I heard one county in Indiana was looking at factory housepower.

I was told in DC it needs an annual inspection..including a 'sniffer tube' shoved up the exhaust system to check emissions.

[paulmohr]

You only need the scooter permit in michigan if you don't already have a drivers license correct?I was told if you have a valid operators license you only need to get the tag.

Kronicle, I am seeing conflicting stuff for your state on different websites. You see the same with michigan too. Most of them are wrong about what is classified as a "scooter" or "moped". I am going to try and read through your state laws and see what I can find that makes more sense. If I find something I will let you know. I will tell you from what I saw on other websites your kind of screwed lol. One said 50cc scooters are not even legal to ride on the road in your state.

[paulmohr]

hmm your state laws even contradict each other lol.

This is the moped statute:

DEFINITION
MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLE - R.S. 32:1(39) defines as every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor not to exceed five horsepower.

MOTORIZED BICYCLE - R.S. 32:1(41) defines as a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than one and one-half brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which produces a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-five miles per hour on a flat surface."

REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE - R.S. 47:501 requires every owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer, or other vehicle intended to be operated upon the public highways in this state to register the vehicle before driving.


LICENSE REQUIRED

A motorized bicycle shall only be operated upon the roadway of the highways of this state by a person fifteen years of age or older who possesses a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement and shall not be operated upon sidewalks, interstate highways or impede traffic flow.
No person may operate a moped or motorized bicycle without adhering to laws governing the operation of motorcycle including the wearing of approved eye protectors or a windshield and the wearing of a helmet.


NOTE: MOTORIZED BICYCLES SUCH AS POCKET BIKES AND SCOOTERS THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POLICY SHALL NOT BE REGISTERED.

It also says something about : Evidence of security interest must be filed by a UCC-1 or equivalent form or by the filing of the security agreement.

I am not sure if that means you need insurance or what?

And that statute reads like you need an operators license and a motorcycle endorsement and have to follow all the same laws as a regular motorcycle.

But this is what it says in the actual motorcycle statute.:

DEFINITION
Motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and motorized bicycles shall not be given a separate class, as such, but their use shall be provided for by making an endorsement on one of the basic classes of driver's license Such an endorsement shall be made only after the applicant has taken and successfully passed tests specifically designed for the operation of such vehicles.

To comply with this law, the operator of any motorcycle, motor driven cycle or motorized bicycle/moped (a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human power or helper motor or both), in excess of 5 horsepower, regardless of maximum speed, or size of motor, must have an "M" endorsement on one of the basic classes of operator's license to operate the vehicle on the streets, highways, or roadways in Louisiana. This endorsement is not required to operate motorcycles, motor driven cycles or motorized bicycles under 5 horsepower.


That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I suggest you contact your local police station or secretary of state to be absolutely sure before you get one or ride it on the road.

[usmcdoc]

Jul 26, 2015 20:33:11 GMT -5 paulmohr said:

You only need the scooter permit in michigan if you don't already have a drivers license correct?I was told if you have a valid operators license you only need to get the tag.

Kronicle, I am seeing conflicting stuff for your state on different websites. You see the same with michigan too. Most of them are wrong about what is classified as a "scooter" or "moped". I am going to try and read through your state laws and see what I can find that makes more sense. If I find something I will let you know. I will tell you from what I saw on other websites your kind of screwed lol. One said 50cc scooters are not even legal to ride on the road in your state.

Correct..if you already have valid auto drivers license..you do not need scooter/moped permit. Michigan's site is being updated because we recently had changes in our scooter laws. Therefore what I posted above is what is currently valid. I will get a link to the new and corrected information. While it says 30mph on their webpage..it was upped to 35mph last month.. :note the date of their webpage..not updated since May:
www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_15242-236804--,00.html

[FrankenMech]

All that really matters is your own states requirements. I am not a lawyer but I believe most states are required to recognize your state's motor vehicle requirements while you are traveling through. On the other hand the local storm troopers can hassle the hell out of you. They always consider themselves right, they 'know' the law, and have super egos. That is why they shoot, taser, jail, and beat up so many people. If you want to make a road trip consult an attorney and have a written set of your state requirements and relevant federal law drawn up so you can quote them and show them to the local gestapo. It may or may not do any good. Keep your attorney's number on speed dial. Highway and Interstate travel is forbidden in many states. I believe Interstate travel is forbidden by federal law. Scoots are considered a hazard on high speed roadways.

A license is required in Kansas but special permits are available for those people who have a suspended license due to DUI etc.

[kronicle]

My main concern is just getting around locally and a vehicle that gets 100 mpg and costs almost nothing to maintain is very attractive for that. If I have to move one day for that then I will. Road laws are ridiculous. I think I read somewhere one time that requiring driver's license for any kind of road travel other than if you're a business is unconstitutional. It just goes to show how much our freedoms have been turned into a for profit business.

[scooterpimp]

If your a legal citizen of the US. ,just get a licence or whats required & go riding! They usually require a license basicly for ID. & that you completed some sort of driver saftey course at one time or another. Helps keep the drunk/crackhead drivers whom lost thier driving privileges off the roads.