| TYPE |
MAX Operating Speed |
Minimum License Required |
Insurance Required |
State inspection Needed? |
Available at Scooters
Go Green |
Great Parking Benefits? |
| Moped |
30mph |
Drivers Permit |
NO |
NO |
YES |
YES |
| Limited use |
40mph |
Drivers Permit |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Motorcycle |
N/A |
Motorcycle Permit |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NOTE: SCOOTERS
GO GREEN sells 50cc SCOOTERS that meet the definition of a "Moped" in
Massachusetts.
There Has Been Some
Recent Confusion About Classification Of Mopeds. Please see Mass
Law On Mopeds Below.
Riding a scooter
will save you money on parking, insurance, and time. Most scooters in
our showroom only have a minimum requirement of a drivers permit, and
fall under the "Moped" definition as stated on the Massachusetts
Registry website.
Moped Definition and
Requirements
According to Massachusetts law, a moped is a "motorized bicycle." In
order to be classified as a moped, the vehicle must:
• Have a cylinder capacity of
no more than 50 cubic centimeters.
• Have an automatic
transmission.
• Be capable of a maximum
speed of no more than 30 miles per hour.
• Comply with all applicable
federal motor vehicle safety standards.
A moped sticker, issued by the RMV, must be affixed to the moped. This
sticker will not be issued unless the vehicle meets the above
requirements.
Operating
Requirements
Moped operators are subject to the traffic laws, rules and regulations
of the Commonwealth.
Mopeds will have the right to use all public ways in the Commonwealth,
except limited access or express state highways where signs prohibiting
bicycles have been posted.
Mopeds may use bicycle lanes next to various ways but are excluded from
off street recreational paths.
Moped operators must signal their intention to stop or turn by using
either hand.
Mopeds may keep right when passing a motor vehicle which is in the
travel lane of a way.
Restrictions When Operating a Moped
Mopeds will not be
operated:
• By any person under 16
years of age.
• By any person who does not
have a valid license or permit.
• At a speed greater than 25
miles per hour.
• Without the operator and
any passenger wearing a DOT standard helmet.
LIMITED USE
Some Scooters Can Be Unrestricted to Raise The Speed Of The
Scooter. This Is Normally Used For Riders To Have More Power To
Ride Up Hill And To Maneuver The Bike Better In Certain Situations.
If you would like to go faster than 30mph on your moped or scooter here
is a look at the Massachusetts Requirement on 50cc Scooters which can
reach 40mph.
Limited Use Vehicle
(LUV)
A "limited use vehicle" is any motor vehicle that . . .
• has 2 or more wheels
• has a certificate of origin
• has a 17 character VIN
• has been certified by the
manufacturer to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for
that particular class of vehicle (e.g. passenger, motorcycle, truck,
etc.), and
• whose speed on a paved
level surface can exceed 30 miles per hour but is not capable of
exceeding 40 miles per hour.
Note: In most instances the maximum speed of the vehicle will not be on
the Certificate of Origin. It will be up to the dealer, insurance
agent, and the customer to ensure the vehicle is properly registered.
How to Register a
Limited Use Vehicle
1. An application for Title (
RMV-1) must be completed and signed by the owner(s). If the vehicle is
purchased from a Massachusetts licensed dealer, the dealer will
complete the RMV-1.
2. The completed RMV-1 must be
accompanied by one of the following documents:
▪ A manufacturers Certificate of
Origin (new vehicles only), or
▪ The previous owner's Certificate
of Title, Dealer Re-Assignment form if applicable, or
▪ The previous registration and
bill of sale for vehicles that are exempt.
3. Bring the completed RMV-1 form,
the required documents, along with the required Registry fees and sales
tax (if applicable) to the nearest RMV branch.
Licensing Requirements
An appropriate class learner's permit or license is required to operate
a limited use vehicle.
Operating a Limited Use Vehicle
Requirements to ride
a limited use vehicle
• To be operated on a public
way, LUVs must be registered, titled, insured, and inspected. If an
electrical motor or batteries solely power the vehicle, no emissions
test is required. If, however, the LUV is liquid-fueled, the emissions
test is required.
• Limited use vehicles are
prohibited from "limited access" and "express state highways," and any
portion of other roads where the speed limit exceeds 40 mph. They may
also be prohibited from other heavily-trafficked areas, due to their
inherent speed limitations.
• Limited use vehicles can be
operated with a driver's license or learner's permit, unless it is
certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for a
motorcycle, then a motorcycle license or motorcycle learner's permit
will be required.
source: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/regs/luv.htm
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/alerts/green_vehicles.htm
If you have any Specific Questions regarding Licensing for 50cc
Scooters and Mopeds please feel free to contact Scooters Go Green at
617-269-0050 |
