Licensing Mopeds, Scooters and Motorcycles in Massachusetts

As the weather warms and gas prices sky rocket (over $3.60 in eastern Massachusetts today), shoppers are cruising Boston.Craigslist.com, www.EBAY.com, and local scooter and motorcycle showrooms for fun and economical transportation. Scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles are all motorbikes. All get better gas mileage than most cars. It is important to understand licensing and insurability of motorbikes before shopping.

Scooters are a kind of motorbike. Like motorcycles, they have a motor, and a seat for a rider and up to one passenger. Scooters and motorcycles may have two or three wheels. Most scooters have a step through design as opposed to the swing your leg over design of most motorcycles. Motorcyclists usually refer to three wheeled motorcycles as trikes. Both scooters and motorcycles may have a range of engine displacements (engine size), the average scooter engine is much smaller than the average motorcycle engine. Massachusetts law classifies scooters as motorcycle or moped depending on speed and engine size.

Massachusetts defines a moped as a motorbike with an engine that is 50 cc or less, with a top speed of up to 30 miles per hour. Mopeds may look like a bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle. Mopeds must adhere to a state moped speed limit of 25 mph. Legal operation of a moped only requires an automobile learner's permit or driver's license and a registration sticker. There is no state inspection program for mopeds. Insurance is not required or even available for mopeds in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mopeds are not covered under any home owner's policy (this is a common misconception). Moped riders must wear a DOT approved, motorcycle helmet the same as any motorcycle rider.

The lack of insurance for mopeds in Massachusetts can be an advantage or disadvantage for riders. People who have no savings, cannot afford insurance, have no fear of lawsuit due to lack of income or savings will benefit from the cost savings of a moped. Those who feel the need to protect themselves and their assets from liability should not own a moped in Massachusetts.