Maryland new scooter/moped law

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Thu May 31, 2012 11:26 pm

Maryland passed new law aimed at mopers and under 50cc scooters. Tagging. Registration etc. Might help with cutting down on theft and missrepresenting 150cc scooters as 50cc.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:08 am

I am sure it is aimed at the different displacement scooters trying to pass themselves off as smaller. It certainly makes reinforcing the registrations a lot simpler.

Capt_Don · Post by **Capt_Don** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:21 am

that sucks...

50CC Cape Cod · Post by **50CC Cape Cod** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:46 pm

MA has had something like that in place for years. You register the scoot and the DMV gives you a sticker but not a plate. The fee is $40
for a 2 year registration/sticker. How does this compare with your new law?

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:18 pm

It sounds similar, I think. I need to read it more in depth

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:16 am

I think it makes sense for 50cc's to register. They use the same roads as everyone else, with the exception of higher speed roads. Here in Oregon, 50cc's have to get plates and tags. The only difference is that you don't need an M endorsement to ride one. You just need a driver's license or a special C class "moped" license.

Capt_Don · Post by **Capt_Don** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:08 am

Here in MO you don't need registration for 50cc, and if given the option I would vote against it. There is enough government regulation as it is.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:30 am

Michigan requires mopeds and 50cc scooters to be registered, but it's only $15 for 3 years, and gets you a sticker instead of a plate. It's no financial hardship, and a pretty trivial inconvenience, and the fact that it adds a bit of tracking and accountability for the vehicles is a good thing, IMHO.

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:08 am

TVB wrote:Michigan requires mopeds and 50cc scooters to be registered, but it's only $15 for 3 years, and gets you a sticker instead of a plate. It's no financial hardship, and a pretty trivial inconvenience, and the fact that it adds a bit of tracking and accountability for the vehicles is a good thing, IMHO.

+1

Bighammer · Post by **Bighammer** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:54 am

Pffff you guys are sure lucky. It cost next to nothing for you to register. Yesterday i get the plate licence for the scooter damn 206$ because it's Jun and i save a month.

50CC Cape Cod · Post by **50CC Cape Cod** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 4:53 pm

In MA if you register a motorcycle then you get into title fees, plate charges, taxes, yearly inspection fees, and need a motorcycle license as well to ride. Also need to add the insurance so things add up quickly when out of the scooter (DMV) category for MA.

Beamster · Post by **Beamster** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:12 am

Sounds like a tax in disguise.
We have many of them in the tax capital of the country.

Just waiting for them to figure out how to tax sex lives.
Come to think of it they probably have that covered in the Pharmacy.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:27 am

Do you need a drivers licence to register? It might be an attempt to really keep the DUI crowd off the roads

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:57 am

Actually, in Saint Louis you don't plate a 50cc but you do have to title it, and register it and the cost is based on the cost of the scooter. My Buddy cost me $200 to register. I found out when I went to get new tags for my car.

LeeMajors · Post by **LeeMajors** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:13 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:Do you need a drivers licence to register? It might be an attempt to really keep the DUI crowd off the roads

You're supposed to have a driver's license if driving on MD roads on any size scooter by law. It's just a money grab, it has nothing to do with making it easier to recover the scooter.

Yorkiemom · Post by **Yorkiemom** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 1:20 pm

Capt_Don wrote:Here in MO you don't need registration for 50cc, and if given the option I would vote against it. There is enough government regulation as it is.

Amen...please vote against it if it does come up here in MO. The main reason I purchased a 50cc was to avoid all of the licensing fees and registration...and mostly, the dreaded property tax payments. Being from Texas, that is a bill that just aggravates me at the beginning of each year. Truth, it pisses me off every year. If they overturn the law here, I purchased a much smaller scoot than I would have to begin with. I have a touring motorcycle that already abides by all of those payments.

amy · Post by **amy** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 2:49 pm

Stormswift wrote:
TVB wrote:Michigan requires mopeds and 50cc scooters to be registered, but it's only $15 for 3 years, and gets you a sticker instead of a plate. It's no financial hardship, and a pretty trivial inconvenience, and the fact that it adds a bit of tracking and accountability for the vehicles is a good thing, IMHO.
+1

+1

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:04 pm

CO it's $6 for 3 years, so I'd be happy to pay that.

What I don't like is the 20000 tons of paperwork. I had a Cert of Origin and some papers, and rather than tell me what I needed, the guy just said "that's not a title..." and shooed me away. I ordered a duplicate from the dealer, went down with the right stuff, but forgot the tax receipts. As a result I have yet to show up and get my plates...

It's $200 they're missing out on by having too much BS in the way, but at least now I have all the documents together in a folder for when I take half a day off again and go down there.

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:20 pm

California (since 2006) sees no difference between a 50cc scooter and a 500cc scooter. A vehicle is a vehicle.

You need a: license, registration+plate, insurance, helmet.

chub1965 · Post by **chub1965** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:46 pm

dont fool yourself into thinking the govt cares about your scooter being stolen,its all about taking more money out of your pocket.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:31 pm

Well, at the risk of being a contrarian curmudgeon, I think titling / plating / etc. of sub-50cc scoots is a good thing. Two principal reasons: first, why is there an arbitrary line at 49/50cc? If you expect to use a lane, you pay for it like everybody else. Secondly, it may have the side benefit of keeping some of the unsafe junk (and riders) off the roads. I've seen too many boneheads out on the streets on a PRCPoS, weaving and swerving without a care in the world. It also ticks me off when these same weasels in my neighborhood turn their 150cc Roketas into 50cc by peeling off a sticker or two.

Of course, I also think the 49cc kiddies should be wearing helmets, too, but that's just me.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:06 pm

CA: $86 a year for my 50cc Italia. The Canadian has it the worst, but he does get medical.

hcstrider · Post by **hcstrider** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:42 pm

Thanks for the heads-up about the new MD Moped & Motor Scooter (50cc or less). It takes effect on 10/01/2012 and I agree with pretty much everything I've read about this law. You don't have to register your moped/scooter but you do have to title it and the titling cost is a one-time $20. People who already own a moped/scooter don't have to pay the title fee. Instead of a license plate, you get a decal and the cost of that decal is $5. It looks like that $5 decal is also a one-time cost. The thing I really like about this new law is that moped/scooter operators will be required to wear protective headgear and eye protection. I see a lot of 50cc scooterists riding without a helmet and it's not that I want to be big brother but I think it's a good requirement to have people wear a helmet because you never know when you will get into an accident and even 50cc scooters get into accidents. The insurance aspect of this law is not clear to me but it looks like the moped/scooter insurance will be different than the insurance you get for a registered vehicle.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:08 pm

^^^ You don't want to be big brother, BUT YOU think everyone should where a helmet...Sad...That is how we have arrived at where the world is today.

And before you say it. I am an ATGATT guy. I ALWAYS wear a helmet, and I think you are crazy not to. BUT, I will fight for your right to choose. Tread lightly my friend. It is a slippery slope you have chosen to walk down. What about safeties in a car, or perhaps on the boat? or maybe we should require airbags on all bikes...its safer...see what I mean?

I agree with you it sounds good, but its really not a good idea to ever give away our freedom of choice.

I owned a shop in Md. for 14 years. Sold quite a few scooters and mopeds ,too. I'll bet this is just another way for Md. to make money. I'll betcha' those fees increase over time. Pa you have to carry full tags and insurance on ANYTHING on the road.

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:12 pm

hcstrider wrote:Thanks for the heads-up about the new MD Moped & Motor Scooter (50cc or less). It takes effect on 10/01/2012 and I agree with pretty much everything I've read about this law. You don't have to register your moped/scooter but you do have to title it and the titling cost is a one-time $20. People who already own a moped/scooter don't have to pay the title fee. Instead of a license plate, you get a decal and the cost of that decal is $5. It looks like that $5 decal is also a one-time cost. The thing I really like about this new law is that moped/scooter operators will be required to wear protective headgear and eye protection. I see a lot of 50cc scooterists riding without a helmet and it's not that I want to be big brother but I think it's a good requirement to have people wear a helmet because you never know when you will get into an accident and even 50cc scooters get into accidents. The insurance aspect of this law is not clear to me but it looks like the moped/scooter insurance will be different than the insurance you get for a registered vehicle.

This is a very good synopsis of the law. I am also not certain about this insurance thing but it would be nice if anyone who rides in traffic carried their own insurance.

hcstrider · Post by **hcstrider** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:23 pm

Perhaps I should not have phrased my agreement with the helmet requirement as "it's not that I want to be big brother but..." however my personal belief is that wearing a helmet is a good/smart precaution so even when I am riding in Pennsylvania where I am not legally required to wear a helmet, I still do. Although I think it's a smart precaution to wear a helmet, I am a strong freedom of choice proponent: many times I have found myself riding side-by-side with a scooter rider (or motorcyclist in PA) without a helmet, without eye protection, wearing shorts and flip flops and the only thing that my fellow rider has ever gotten out of me is a friendly smile and a wave.

***** This next part will probably get me in trouble because I'm exaggerating to make a point but I hope that everyone understands that I'm exaggerating. *****

Even though I believe in freedom of choice, there are some freedoms which I am OK with surrendering. Sure I enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage and there is nothing that I would enjoy more than to drink myself silly then hop on my scooter and ride like a bat out of hell past the elementary school but these pesky laws say that I can't drink and drive plus I have to observe this stupid 25 mph speed limit past the elementary school. What a bummer, my freedom of choice is being infringed upon but you know what, I'm OK with that. And even though I have to surrender my freedom of choice to ride helmet-less, I personally am OK with giving up that freedom also but I respect the opinion of others who disagree with me.

Capt_Don · Post by **Capt_Don** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:17 pm

hcstrider wrote: ***** This next part will probably get me in trouble because I'm exaggerating to make a point but I hope that everyone understands that I'm exaggerating. *****

Even though I believe in freedom of choice, there are some freedoms which I am OK with surrendering. Sure I enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage and there is nothing that I would enjoy more than to drink myself silly then hop on my scooter and ride like a bat out of hell past the elementary school but these pesky laws say that I can't drink and drive plus I have to observe this stupid 25 mph speed limit past the elementary school. What a bummer, my freedom of choice is being infringed upon but you know what, I'm OK with that. And even though I have to surrender my freedom of choice to ride helmet-less, I personally am OK with giving up that freedom also but I respect the opinion of others who disagree with me.

I see what you did there... but keep in mind that those other choices effect other lives, not just your own. That said, I always slow down to the posted limit when going thru zones, and the cars behind me can't stand it.

Alexbv200 · Post by **Alexbv200** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:39 pm

In Tx, ALL scooters and motorcycles, no matter what the cc require plates, registration, insurance and as of 2009... a motorcycle license for the 50cc.

Registration renewal is like $40, and a State inspection due once a year is $14.50.
Pretty much it.
Insurance is not bad on scooters... pretty cheap on 50cc with only liability.

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:27 am

I love the notion that if you use the road you should pay for it. To that I would like to ad that if we scooterists have to pay for it, then some of the money we are paying should go to maintaining better roads so that they are safer for those of us who are on two wheels. There are deep channels the length of Clayton road so if you are trying to change to a left hand turn lane, your wheels can get caught in it, and Clayton Road is pretty major, as is Big Bend, Manchester, Lindel, Gravois, Kingshighway. In other words. Saint Louis has horrible streets.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:58 am

Mutt the Hoople wrote:I love the notion that if you use the road you should pay for it. To that I would like to ad that if we scooterists have to pay for it, then some of the money we are paying should go to maintaining better roads so that they are safer for those of us who are on two wheels. There are deep channels the length of Clayton road so if you are trying to change to a left hand turn lane, your wheels can get caught in it, and Clayton Road is pretty major, as is Big Bend, Manchester, Lindel, Gravois, Kingshighway. In other words. Saint Louis has horrible streets.

Funny you should mention that. I was driving down Clayton Road a couple days ago looking at those trenches. I was thinking how dangerous they were if I had been on my Buddy. I also noticed bad ones on Manchester and Kingshighway.

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:35 pm

When i was looking for my Scoot, i had to way up all the options. In Mass you have to register your scoot regardless from what i can see. However there are three categories and they are really clamping down on the first two.

50cc restricted to no more than 30mph register for the sticker program, and no plate required. (costs $20 a year but have to reg for 2) can park on sidewalk and travel in the cycle lane, but other than those benefits can not use many roads to get in and out of Boston as they are limited to back roads that do not exceed 30mph

50cc but not restricted to 30mph has to register and get a plate called limited use, however not allowed to use roads with speed limit above 40mph.

over 50cc has to register as a full motorcycle with plate as normal.

I have been spot checked all ready in the one week I have owned the bike, just as i entered Route 1. This was to ensure i had a full plate as the speed limit is 50mph, and the copper told me that the checks are not just to ensure I'm fully plated, but also to ensure I'm not registering on the sticker program with a bike that is not eligible to do so.

If it were not for the fact i travel on Route one and other roads with equivalent speeds i was going to go for the buddy 50 and the sticker program, however that would have meant instead of the three roads i use now to commute, i would have had to take 77 turns to get to the office and remain legal. Hells NO.

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:32 pm

k1dude wrote:
Mutt the Hoople wrote:I love the notion that if you use the road you should pay for it. To that I would like to ad that if we scooterists have to pay for it, then some of the money we are paying should go to maintaining better roads so that they are safer for those of us who are on two wheels. There are deep channels the length of Clayton road so if you are trying to change to a left hand turn lane, your wheels can get caught in it, and Clayton Road is pretty major, as is Big Bend, Manchester, Lindel, Gravois, Kingshighway. In other words. Saint Louis has horrible streets.
Funny you should mention that. I was driving down Clayton Road a couple days ago looking at those trenches. I was thinking how dangerous they were if I had been on my Buddy. I also noticed bad ones on Manchester and Kingshighway.

You were here? Hope you had a nice time while you were in town. YES!!! Those channels ARE dangerous. I was traveling east on Clayton Road and changed lanes by The Cheshire in so I could make a left-hand turn onto Skinker and I was VERY careful how I crossed those ruts and my front tire got momentarily caught. I wobbled but did not fall. But they are so bad for a very long stretch that I don't understand why absolutely nothing is being done. They are bad enough that someone will get hurt or worse at some point. Manchester has open pipes that stand up two to three inches above the surface in crucial spots... Right where a scooterist or motorcyclist is likely to be riding. Less like for a car wheel to hit.

I think in some ways, regulating scooters more like cars is a good thing, at least in principal. But I am getting to where I wish that automobile drivers had to take driving tests every four years regardless of their driving records. So often I see people coming out of parking lots or side roads staring way off to the right for a good length of time and not so much as a glance to the left. Looking to the left first (as that is the lane closest to you) the right, then the left again has been hard wired in my head since I took driver's Ed in high school. Add the stupidity to yapping on the cell phone and all I can say is glad I took the safety course. But Skinker is horrible on the weekends. The all but drag race on it using the turn lanes as passing lanes... And since we have red light cameras instead of actual police presence, (in a MAJOR park area), it has turned into the wild west combined with a demolition derby. Not too fun.