For christmas i got this little gasoline scooter, just something to mess around with during the summer in my neighborhood. I probably goes no more than 20-25 mph. I called up the DMV to see if there was any regulations and to drive it legally, i would have to get a motorcycle license, a motorcycle license plate, and insurance. All for a cheap scooter that i would only drive within an area of about one square mile. Would you just drive it and see if the police care or would you actually do all of the registration necessary? They sell these things all over the place. Is every 13 year old going out and getting it registered or the police are harassing them? So what would you all do?

I'd wait until i was pulled over to do what they said I needed to. i'd also check the laws myself - the DMV would never give away revenue if they had a choice. find out the engine size, and check with your local legal aid office. They won't represent you in a legal dispute on this issue, but they'll give you valuable advice for free.

Usually if the engine is less than 50cc, it's not a legal issue.

I'd ride it in my neighborhood being very mindful of the fact that it's not legal.
This means that if a cop does see you, and you get a ticket or what ever, you have to accept that responsibility because you knew it was not legal. However, the expense of being legal, in this case, just isn't reasonable. Besides, where would you put the plate, and can you imagine how silly you would look trying to take your motorcycle road test on the scooter?

I have seen these little motorized scooters around here quite a bit. I even saw a city cop having a heart to heart with a kid (not old enough to drive) who had been riding on the shoulder of the main road. I don't know if he got a ticket, I was just passing. The kid did seem to be taking the conversation serious though.

In other words, don't ride the scooter down town or to the mall.
Also, getting a ticket may effect your auto insurance rate.

I heard that so i got the 49cc. I called the local police department and they said any non-registered vehicle is illegal to drive on the street. Does that mean an unregistered bicycle is illegal to drive or roller skates? I think i should just risk it. What is the worse that could happen, i get a small ticket?

As I said, CHECK THE LAWS YOURSELF!! Most cops don't know the law, and the DMV's job is to funnel money to the state. if a cop confronts you, and you can seem educated on the laws regarding your freedoms, they'd rather just leave you alone - they don't want to be made to look like an idiot in front of a judge hearing a disputed ticket.

There isn't hardly any such thing as a small ticket anymore. (accept in Montana)
If you get busted, just act stupid. Shouldnt be too difficult.

Do you know where i could find out something like that? I asked the police department and the person i talked to just said it was illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle in the street. What exactly does that mean though? I talked to the DMV and they actually had no clue, so what i said in the original post isn't right. The DMV website says nothing about scooters, only mopeds and motorcycles, which i don't think this thing is. It definitely isn't a moped under illinois law and i highly doubt anyone in their right mind would call it a motorcycle. Otherwise i can't find jack shit about this. Maybe that is a good enough excuse right there.

Don't we have some lawyers on this forum? Where are those bloodsuckers when you need them?

I'll look around. Tell you in a day or two.

Ok. Thanks.

look in the phone book - either in the gvt pages or the white pages - for "legal aid." Don't go anywhere near the yellow pages.

Be very careful, because if you ride it full-tit into a police cruiser, you'll need enough friends to start a good, full-on riot and burn all the neighbors cars.
Well, at least, that's how we do it here in France when we ride our "pocket-bikes"....


Actually, I'd be scared shitless in the 'States riding one of these anywhere near a road full of SUV's, and I'd also be concerned about being shot by a Grandpa who mistook me for a suicide buzzer as I roared along the sidewalk....

In Europe we have off-road tracks and usually the local councils organise a proper race track in empty parking lots....these little pocket-bike things are everywhere.

I don't have a pocket bike. What i got is basically a razor scooter with a seat and an engine on it.

This is what it looks like but keep in mind i had put it togeather myself, so it doesn't look quite as nice.



It is pretty cool. My dad and i figured out that its top speed is 24 mph, at least for someone who weighs 185 pounds like i do. It gets about 120 mpg and costs about about $3.50 a gallon, since it burns oil. From a distance it almost looks like one of those "rascals" that old people ride around in.

Also, i think a cop saw my dad and i messing around with it and he didn't even slow down to look at it. A few more encounters like that and i will be fully convinced that they don't care.

That's not just a scooter!


It has a seat, brakes, lights, turn signal.
You might want to consider licensing that.
In the mean time stay off all roads accept for the neighborhood streets.
Might be suitable for around campus transportation, though campus cops may not agree.

I have a 49cc Yamaha scooter that's about all I use around town in warm weather. It'll do 40+ mph and gets around 100 mpg. It's a small motorcycle and requires proper registration and a motorcycle endorsement on my drivers license. I'm negotiating with the local Hell's Angels for membership.

I suppose i could register it and then modify it so it can go maybe 50mph. I think i know how. Maybe $150 for everything and i could have a quasi-motorcycle.

don't let the old folks scare you jack, you're probably legal - you've got lights and turn signals (which you wouldn't need if you used hand signals) - they're still stuck on the a-bomb drills they did, ducking and covering in their classrooms.

a bicycle can have, and should have any of those things, but you wouldn't dream of going to gieco for it would you?

After thinking about it, i realize you are probably right. There is no title and no vin number on it, so it is impossible to register anyway. I will just get a speedometer, some mirrors, and a helmet. I figure the police will leave me alone if i am just ridding around on local streets on a fairly safe scooter.

Think a second, do you really wanna go 50 on that tiny thing that isn't much bigger than a piece of gravel?

The law requires that Bicycles have to follow the rules of the road just the same as cars do.
That means no sidewalks, gotta stop at stop signs and must use signals.

Why not? I'm young and am never going to die!

Ok, ok, ok....ok everyone slow down for a second. Even though i have said this before, i think i finally got this figured out. I am now certain the thing counts as a moped in Illinois. All i need is a license plate and a title and i should be good to drive it where i please.

Moped laws by state

http://moped2.org/mstates.htm#Illinois


Illinois

I have called the DMV in illinois and talked to the Secretary of State office too and I know the following facts about moped in IL:

1] You must have a valid drivers licence
a] for a car if under 49cc's
B] for a small motorcycle if between 49 and 150 cc's
c] for a big motorcycle if above 150cc's
2] You must have a title for the moped
3] You must register the moped with the state
4] You most have plates on the moped
5] You must have insurance for the moped.


Perry

P.S. Here's some more info (found in Illinois driver's guide)

Motorized pedalcycles, often called mopeds, are low-speed, two-wheeled vehicles. They can be pedaled like a bicycle or driven like a motorcycle. Mopeds are intended for limited use on public roadways. Here are some of the responsibilities of moped drivers:

Moped drivers must have a valid driver's license.

LAWS: Moped drivers must obey all signs, signals and traffic laws. They also must obey most bicycle laws.

SPEED: A moped may not go over 30 miles per hour.

PASSENGERS: Moped drivers may carry a passenger only when the moped is made for two people. Equipment must include a passenger seat and a passenger footrest.

EQUIPMENT: If a moped is driven at night, it must have a headlight visible from at least 500 ft. A moped must also have a red reflector on the rear visible from at least 100 to 600 ft.