Moped Plates

[Aviatrixie]

I sat down a bit ago to pay bills and noticed on my insurance bill that my "new" Vino was added onto my existing motorcycle insurance (State Farm) and that the premium exactly doubled. In effect, I'm paying the same for my 49cc Vino as I'm paying for my much bigger Honda. I also noticed that the insurance listed my Vino as a motorcycle. That's all well and good since I have a full motorcycle endorcement on my Driver's License. BUT... the plate on my Vino is a Moped plate. The woman I bought it from had a Moped plate on it and I guess the clerk at AAA that did the transfer of ownership simply issued me the same type of plate. That got me curious so I checked PennDOT's website and came up with this definition of Moped:

MOPED
DEFINITION: A motor-driven cycle equipped with operable pedals, a motor rated no more than 1.5 brake
horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission,
and a maximum design speed of no more than 25 miles per hour, or an electric motor-driven
cycle equipped with operable pedals and powered by an electric battery.
CRITERIA: 1. Engine may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.
2. Engine may not exceed 1.5 brake horsepower rating.
3. Operable pedals required.
4. Automatic transmission required.
5. Design speed may not be more than 25 miles per hour.
6. Does not require inspection.
7. Moped plate issued.
8. Annual registration fee is $9.00.
9. No helmet or eye protection required for driver.
10. Class C required on Driver’s License.



I think maybe the Vino actually falls under this Pennsylvania category:

MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLE
DEFINITION: A motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor which produces horsepower not to exceed
5 brake horsepower.
CRITERIA: 1. Horsepower is not more than 5 brake horsepower.
2. Design speed is more than 25 miles per hour.
3. Inspection required.
4. Motorcycle plate issued.
5. Annual registration fee is $9.00.
6. Individuals who meet the following criteria are able to choose whether or not to wear a
motorcycle helmet:
The operator or any occupant of a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed
cab.
A person 21 years of age or older who has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at
least two years.
A person 21 years of age or older who has completed a motorcycle rider safety course
approved by PENNDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
The passenger of a person who is exempt, if the passenger is 21 years of age or older.
7. Eye protection required.
8. Class M or a Class M with an 8 restriction required on Driver’s License.
NOTE: The holder of a Class C license is authorized to drive a motor-driven cycle which has an
automatic transmission and a cylinder capacity that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.


And lastly, here's the definition of a full Motorcycle in PA:

MOTORCYCLE
DEFINITION: A motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not
more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
CRITERIA: 1. Horsepower is more than 5.0.
2. Inspection required.
3. Motorcycle plate issued.
4. Individuals who meet the following criteria are able to choose whether or not to wear a
motorcycle helmet:
The operator or any occupant of a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed
cab.
A person 21 years of age or older who has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at
least two years.
A person 21 years of age or older who has completed a motorcycle rider safety course
approved by PENNDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
The passenger of a person who is exempt, if the passenger is 21 years of age or older.
5. Eye protection required.
6. Annual registration fee is $18.00.
7. Class M required on Driver’s License.
NOTE: Motorized pedalcycles and side-cars for motorcycles are not titled in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.


From that last note, by definition a moped would have no title, and yet I do have a title. Something seems wrong here. I guess I'll need to make a couple of phone calls and probably go back to triple A. Meanwhile, how big an issue is this for me riding legally in the meantime? I'm properly insured (I guess?) and I'm definately licensed!

BTW, once I stage my Vino, if the HP goes above 5 BHP I guess it's legally a full motorcycle then.

Input anyone?

Erika

[Lennox]

yes, technicaly once you go above 5hp it is a moto. Who is gonna know? youre call.

[XPS1210]

I thought the stock HP was like 5.something on the zuma? But the vino being restricted might not fit in the above 5 hp catergory...

So...

For me it's licensed as a motorcycle, I have the class M (any CC license) and have beginner and advanced riding courses...

So, no matter... I go over the restricted speeds... I'm licensing it as a motorcycle... IMO the best way to go...

shouldn't cost more for insurance either way it's licensed...

I'd shop around, it might be cheaper to get insurance on the scooter by itself... I pay about 1/2 through progressive than my USAA auto insurance... USAA doesn't like 2 wheels... So they charge more and over write the policy to progressive... Go figure!

[King Vino]

I noticed in PA that it should be a motor driven cycle. I'd check with your insurance. Personally, Allstate wanted like over 500 a year for my Vino, so I said smell you later, and went to Progressive for all my insurance needs.

[Aviatrixie]

Hi Jered and Lennox :)

By Pennsylvania definition I don't think the Vino could ever legally be classified as a moped, simply because (speed and horsepower issues aside), a moped must have operable pedals in Pennsylvania to be license as a moped. At least that's how I read the law. But I'm not a lawyer, so I don't really know for sure. Like I said, the woman I bought it from had a moped plate for it when I bought it from her. I need to determine exactly what type of plate I need. Meanwhile, I'll assume it's ok to ride it with the moped plate until I sort this out. I'll let you know what I find out. I just suspect riding even a box stock Vino in PA with a moped tag is sort of like driving an 18 wheeler with an automobile tag... ok until you get caught or in an accident.

Erika

[Aviatrixie]

Hi King! :)

I agree... the way I read it the Vino even stock would fall into the middle category. It's insured as a motorcycle, I'm motorcycle licenced, but the tag is moped. I really think I need to fix that. The fee is the same... the only thing that will change is the the MP will become MC on the tag. You used to be in law enforcement, right? It's a technicality, but one I think I need to fix.

Erika

[King Vino]

Yeah but in MD, and though I was born in PA, live ten minutes from the PA line and worked for a YMC dealer in PA, I never really learned the laws quite as well as MD's. But I think the issue here is not PA law, but rather your insurance company.

[samuelet]

As to driving with the moped plates: When I was all confused about California's laws (which are similar) the guy at the local motorcycle/scooter dealership said that the cops are usually even more confused about the laws, and are generally not up to speed on just how many horsepower qualifies as a whatever. They told me that even with California's restrictive laws, people drive around here without motorcycle endorsements, or with goofy plates, or what-have-you and the cops generally don't give anyone a hard time about it. The one thing I wouldn't fool with is insurance (and in California, helmets).

If it were me, I'd look into the moped plates, but that wouldn't keep me from riding it in the meantime.

I'd guess that the insurance issue has more to do with how the insurance company charges for various insurances than whether your scooter (moped/motordrivencycle/motorcycle) has sufficient coverage. Geico gave me what I think is a pretty good rate for insurance and it is run separate from their auto program. (I'd put the ammount but I'm pretty sure they boys would edit it out anyhow)

[King Vino]

Well there is no reason for cops to be confused, every cop in every PD I've ever known or worked with was always required to carry a nice thick book pocket sized to fit in a shirt pocket (usually sitting on the dashboard) with the complete listing of the entire state DOT motor vehicle laws, which could be best described as a DMV/MVA drivers handbook on crack that has the complete and total laws pertaining to everything and anything with a motor and wheels on it from traffic laws, to tags and registration information, and CDL data.

Sorry, it's 0230 hrs, and I'm half asleep so the title is completely slipping my head, though I'm sure if I went in to the next room (tripping on the cat along the way) to the book case, I'm sure I have like twenty copies there.

[bigb9582]

just got my zuma today and it was register as a scooter but they gave me motorcycle plates. its insured (statefarm) and i did not need a cycle license to ride it because its under 50cc and this is in PA.

[Aviatrixie]

bigb... congrats on your new Zuma :) and no, I'm not at all surprised that they put an MC plate on your scoot. I'm convinced now that that is what should be on mine as well. I'll have to fix that soon, but winter is rapidly bringing our riding season to an end here in PA so there's no major rush.

Hi Susan! Yes, I should look into a less expensive insurer for both my bikes. Between the two bikes I pay as much as I pay to insure my car. Silly, I know... but I've been with State Farm and my agent forever. I'm paying over $500/yr now for the 2 bikes tho. I really should shop around. BTW, I love your Vino seat cover. I checked out the site you mentioned. I think that will be my next cosmetic update for my scoot. Thanks!
:)

Lennox, I wrote down your g/f's number. I'm paid up for the next 6 months with State Farm, but she's in the hat now for my next renewal. Thank you, sir! :)

[Elliott]

Have any of Yall Got your Plates Yet?

It's been 4 Weeks Now NO SEE IN MAIL

Any body Know if it's Gonna be in a BOX or A MAIL LETTER..

[SuperDaveJr.]

Aw man that's ridiculous. I love the law here in NC, I hope it never changes. Basically if it's 50cc's or less, all you have to have is a helmet, and you have to be 16 years old. No proof of age or ID needed, no insurance, liscence, tags, nothing. Just get it and go :)

[foosball_monkey]

Aw man that's ridiculous. I love the law here in NC, I hope it never changes. Basically if it's 50cc's or less, all you have to have is a helmet, and you have to be 16 years old. No proof of age or ID needed, no insurance, liscence, tags, nothing. Just get it and go :)

Count yourself lucky---here in Austin, TX you have to have a moped license, moped liability insurance, and inspection annually on the moped. It all definitely adds up, but for me it's worthwhile because I love scootering to work!!! :D

[marylandmark]

here in Austin, TX


I used to live on Lake Travis back in the day...

Love Barton Creek and all that area. We rolled out in 1984 when the oil market crashed- I was 12 back then and my parents would not let me stay there on my own.... HHAHA

[hybridrazz]

same laws here in virginia superdave cant beat um although the new zuma model doesnt fall under those guidelines.

[veenou]

No Tags, Registration or Insurance needed for Scooters in Arkansas. I love it, otherwise I'd never be able to afford driving one.

$1/week for gas money.. $4/month.. not bad :) eh?

[wengerda]

Virginia is not that bad, keep it under 50cc and under 30mph, and you legal too. By the way wear your helmet and you will not be stopped by the cop. Oh yeah, age restriction and no passengers with you on your scooter. :D

By the way i am going to the other Yamaha dealer and purchase 2 stroke synthethic oil for "injected" engines. :rolleyes: