Northward Carolina Moped Laws

Mopeds and scooters are classified past the same definition according to North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Earlier operating a scooter, an private should educate themselves on what is required by law. Information can be plant on the N Carolina Full general Assembly website.

Operating Requirements

In order to ride, y'all must be at to the lowest degree 16 years quondam. Owning a driver's license is not required, simply wearing a helmet is, regardless of age.

Specifications

To qualify as a moped and/or equally a scooter, your wheel cannot exceed xxx miles per hour on a level service and it cannot possess an engine larger than fifty cubic centimeters. If your moped/scooter exceeds these standards, you lot must register information technology equally a motorcycle.

Blue MopedMoped Definition

A vehicle with ii or three wheels with a motor of no more than than 50 cubic centimeters of piston displacement and no external shifting device. Legally, a moped's superlative speed cannot exceed 30 miles per 60 minutes on a level surface. Although some mopeds on the marketplace have top speeds higher than the 30 mph limit, they are illegal for use in N Carolina. If a moped does not fit the above requirements, it must be registered as a motorcycle under Due north Carolina law.

Gold MopedIn 2001, a change to the moped definition in Due north Carolina was considered, merely no legal activeness was taken. In 2002, the Northward Carolina Department of Acquirement inverse the definition of a moped. The general assembly canonical a change in the maximum speed of a moped from 20 mph to 30 mph.

Moped Registration & Insurance

As of July i, 2015, the new police requires registration for all mopeds operated on a state-maintained road. However, mopeds are not required to have an almanac inspection.

Mopeds shall be registered with the Partitioning. The possessor of the moped shall pay the aforementioned base fee and be issued the same blazon of registration card and plate issued for a motorcycle. In order to be registered with the Division and operated upon a highway or public vehicular area, a moped must meet the following requirements:

  • The moped has a manufacturer's document of origin.
  • The moped was designed and manufactured for use on highways or public vehicular areas.

Equally of July 1, 2016, Northward Carolina constabulary requires that all registered mopeds have liability insurance coverage with limits no less than $30,000/$60,000/$25,000. Failure to maintain liability insurance coverage constitutes a lapse and may result in the revocation of your valid North Carolina license plate.

Motorcycle Registration

If your moped does not meet the requirements to be classified as a moped, it must be registered every bit a motorcycle. To apply for your vehicle championship and registration you will need to obtain your North Carolina Commuter'due south License. Registration fees include a Certificate of Title for $xl, an Instant Title for $75, license plate registration fee for private passenger vehicles for $28, a transfer of plate fee of $15, and a highway utilise tax of 3%.

The Regional Transportation Authority Registration Tax ($v) applies to vehicles registered in Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties. Residents applying for championship and license in Wake, Durham and Orangish Counties must pay an additional $5 for funding of the Regional Transportation Authority.

During registration, among other requirements, yous volition take to complete Championship Application (MVR-one), declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, y'all must supply an odometer disclosure statement signed past both the seller and the buyer. A Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181) may be required also. The minimum requirements of liability insurance for a private autobus are $30,000 for bodily injury for one person; $lx,000 bodily injury for two or more than people and $25,000 property damage. Northward Carolina constabulary requires each company to notify the DMV when coverage has been canceled.

Other Moped Rules

  • No person shall operate a motorcycle or moped upon a highway or public vehicular surface area unless the operator and all passengers thereon clothing safety helmets of a type approved past the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
  • A moped should travel using the right–hand side of the lane - To pass a moped; you lot must stay at to the lowest degree two feet to the left.
  • The same DWI laws that use to the drivers of other motor vehicles as well employ to moped operators
  • Stay out of traffic, equally much equally possible.
  • Do not share lanes with other vehicles.
  • Make sure other drivers can see you - wearable calorie-free or brightly colored clothing.
  • At an intersection, never squeeze betwixt parked cars and moving traffic.
  • If possible, install electrical turn signals on your moped. Otherwise, be sure to use manus signals when yous turn or stop.
  • Operating motorcycle without proper license endorsement, or knowingly permitting an endemic vehicle to be so operated, or violating restrictions on graduated licenses will result in a fine of at least $fifty.
  • Failure to wear helmet or having too many passengers on a motorbike or moped will result in a fine from $25 to $75.