Maryland does not require Motor Scooters to have Tags or Insurance, only that the driver have a valid Driver's license of any class, or a Moped Operator's Permit. There are however other requirements that must be met before a Motor Scooter can be considered "street legal," and used on the public roads.
Since Motor Scooters don't have pedals, they do not fit the legal description of a Moped. As such, the State of Maryland enacted legislation in 2001, which specifically addresses Motor Scooters. Below you will see the various sections of the law, which relate to Motor Scooters and Mopeds. One section of the law that should be noted is that Motor Scooters must have a "step-through" chassis. That means that the "Race Rocket" type scooters are NOT street legal, since they are not built with this type of frame. (See pictures below for examples.)
§ 11-135. Motor vehicle.
(a) In general.- "Motor vehicle" means, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a vehicle that:
(1) Is self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires; and
(2) Is not operated on rails.
(b) Moped or motor scooter.- "Motor vehicle" does not include:
(1) A moped, as defined in § 11-134.1 of this subtitle; or
(2) A motor scooter, as defined in § 11-134.4 of this subtitle.
[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 1-149; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1984, ch. 255; 2001, ch. 557.]
§ 11-134.1. Moped.
"Moped" means a bicycle that:
(1) Is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of a motor;
(2) Is equipped with pedals that mechanically drive the rear wheel or wheels;
(3) Has two or three wheels, of which one is more than 14 inches in diameter; and
(4) Has a motor with a rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less and, if the motor is an internal combustion engine, a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less.
[1978, ch. 328; 1979, ch. 65.]
Motor Scooters on the Road
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