Scooters
With
the increasing number of motorized scooter’s popping-up on
our city roadways, the Port Hueneme Police Department’s has
received inquiries regarding their operation. Many of the inquiries
are from parents who just want to be safe. The following is a synopsis
of the current laws governing motorized scooters.
The
operation of motorized scooters is codified in the California Vehicle
Code, Article 5, sections 21220 -23330.
Definition of a motor scooter
Any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to be stood
or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an electric motor,
or gasoline two-stroke engine and is capable of propelling the device
with or without human propulsion. V.C.
407.5
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License Requirements
No driver’s license is required to operate a motorized scooter,
but the operator must be at least 16 years of age. V.C. 12804.9
& V.C.
21235
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Maximum Speed
A motorized scooter may not be propelled at a speed in excess of
15 MPH. V.C.
22411 The operator of a motorized scooter shall not
operate it on a highway (which also includes city streets) with
a speed
limit in excess of 25 MPH, unless the motorized scooter is operated
within a Class II bike lane. V.C.
21235(b); 890.4
Streets & Highway Code (bike lanes defined).
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Registration, Insurance and License Requirements
A motorized scooter is not required to be registered and no proof
of financial responsibility (vehicle insurance) is required. V.C.
21224 Note: Your insurance policies may not provide coverage
for accidents involving the use of these scooters. To determine
if coverage is provided, you should contact your insurance company
or agent.
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Must Comply With the Vehicle Code
Every person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway has all
the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the
driver of a vehicle ... including but not limited to, provisions
concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or
drugs. V.C.
21221
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Night Provisions / Equipment
Motorized scooters operated during hours of darkness are required
to have the proper lighting equipment and reflectors. Required is
a headlight visible 300 feet to the front, red reflector visible
500 feet to the rear and white or yellow side reflectors visible
200 feet. V.C.
21223
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Rules of the Road
A motor scooter traveling at a speed less than the normal speed
of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride
as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of
the roadway except when, please read: V.C.
21228
Overtaking and passing another vehicle. Preparing for a left turn,
the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to
the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the
turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions
placed on pedestrians. Necessary to avoid unusual conditions in
the roadway.
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Bike
Lane
If a bike lane exists; any person operating a motorized scooter
upon the roadway shall ride within the bicycle lane except for provisions
in V.C.
21228 and V.C.
21229.
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Brake, Speed, Helmet, Age of
Rider, Passengers, Handlebars, Sidewalks
The operator of a motorized scooter
SHALL NOT do
any of the following:
