December 2nd, 2009 by The Rider

What are the laws for scooters in California?

I am a 19 year old student thats looking for a cheap, fun way to get to and from work, and get around in general in the downtown and hollywood los angeles area.

According to your link, it says that you do need an operator’s license (but not license plates) for a go-ped® style scooter (the type you stand on) like the one in your picture. CA law defines this as a “motorized scooter”, requiring a class M2 license, but not registration or insurance.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/motorcycles/motorcycles.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc407_5.htm

But the Fly 50 looks more like a Vespa-style scooter (the type you sit on). CA law defines these as a “motor-driven cycle” requiring a class M1 license, registration, plates, and insurance.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc405.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc400.htm

According to CA law, “a motorized scooter is not a motor vehicle.” So tell Piaggio that you do not want to pay them for vehicle registration, title, and licensing fees. If they say, “okay”, then the Fly is a “motorized scooter” requiring only an M2-license and nothing more. But if Piaggio tells you that the DMV requires them to collect those fees, then it is a “motor-driven cycle” requiring an M1-license (or permit), registration, plates, and insurance.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21224.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt2.htm

*/End of Line.

p2 Cindy Sheehan Sept 29 2008