Do I Need a Motorcycle License for a 150cc Scooter?
There is a lot of confusion as to the status of electric scooters not just in the US but also in many countries where they exist. In the US, the laws about the electrical scooter will depend on your state. However, when it comes to needing a license to drive your scooter on the road, the power component and classification of the scooter will determine if you need a license or if you’re free to ride on the road to your heart content.
So let’s dive into the question.
Do You need a Motorcycle License for a 150cc Scooter?
In some US states, a motor vehicle that uses an engine larger than 150cc is considered a motorcycle and would require a motorcycle license to operate. The owner is also required to register it legally to ride it.
When it comes to scooters, the law is not as straightforward. In most cases, motorized scooters do not require a license but you will need registration to be considered road-worthy. There are also several other rules drivers must follow to ensure that the scooter is road-worthy.
To answer the question; Yes, you will need a motorcycle license for a 150cc scooter.
However, the type of license required and the requirement to get such a license vary from state to state. There is also another case of top speed. How fast any motorized vehicle can go is usually another factor that determines the list of requirements you would have to adhere to.
How Fast Can a 150cc Scooter Go?
A Scooter with an engine displacement of 150cc can reach a top speed of 60 mph. The actual max speed limit may differ and depend on the brand but you can take this as the typical max speed limit for most brands.
How To Get A Motorcycle License?
The process of getting a motorcycle license is the same for all vehicles even if you’re getting one for a scooter. You will first have to take a road test supervised by an official from your local BMV or DMV. In some cases, you will have a take a written road rules exam before a course test. Then you will be required to pay a fee and you will get your license.
In some states, you won’t have to take a road test to get your motorcycle license but that’s only if you’re an experienced driver. This simply if you should already have a motorcycle permit, you can go straight to getting the license once you pass a skills test.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Motorcycle License?
There is no specific time range as to when you would get a motorcycle license. You can get yours in several days or it could take you a few weeks to get one. This simply depends on your age, prior riding experience, and the state you residing.
For seasoned motorcycle drivers that already have a permit, the license could come shortly after you pass your road test. Inexperienced drivers will have to wait a bit longer due to driving tests you will have to take at the DMV. If you’re under 18, you will be required to carry a learner’s permit before you can get a motorcycle license. You may have to keep the permit until you accrue a set number of hours on-road or a set number of months before you can be given a full license of endorsement.
How Much Is a Motorcycle License?
You could spend up to $100 on a new license but that’s only if you live in New York. Most states in the USA charge between $25 and $100 to give you a new motorcycle license. If you get a permit before the license, you will have to pay a separate application fee on that though it would be required for a full motorcycle license.
The cost of both the permit and the motorcycle license would depend on the state and the age of the applicant. Younger drivers would be charged more for certification than older drivers which makes sense since they have less experience on the road. In some states, the difference in charges could be up to $30 more.
License renewals are mostly cheaper and quite surprisingly, you will spend way less getting a renewal in New York than in many other states though it will cost you a lot more than in other states to get a license there.
Can You Register a Scooter Without a License?
Licensing and vehicle registration are two different things. You won’t need a motorcycle license to register your scooter but you might be required to have insurance. The confusion arises from your insurance company.
Most insurance companies would require that you have a license in order to get coverage. In simple words, you will most likely need a license before you can consider registering your scooter. However, if you find a reliable insurance company that will offer you coverage without a license, you can go ahead with the registration process
Penalties of Driving a Scooter Without a License?
In most states in the US, you will be fined for driving a scooter without a valid driver’s license. In some cases, this could result in jail time. You could also get fined for driving without a helmet. States like California are more serious about driving without a proper license and you will come face-to-face with a six months jail term if you get on the road without one.
In other states, you might just get away with only a fine. Some state laws might pardon you on your first time but if you’re found to be a repeating offender it could result in hundreds of dollars in citations.
Wrapping Up
That‘s just about all you need to know when you take your scooter out on the road. You will have to get a license and not only that, you will be required to wear a helmet at all times.
