Scooter Laws

This page is for laws for scooters in various states. It is publically editable so if you have information about scooter laws in your state, please add it by clicking on the notepad icon at the bottom of the page.

California

In the DMV code "Electric Scooters" refer to the standup skateboards with handles (Razor style).  "Electric Bicycles" or "mopeds" is the term they use for the rideable style scooters we discuss on this web site.

Here is the definition of electric "motorized bicycle" or "moped":

Section 406: Motorized Bicycle

406.  (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

So scooters can go up to 30 mph. However, if riden in the bicycle lane they are limited to a "safe" speed:

Section 21209:  Motor Vehicles and Motorized Bicycles in Bicycle Lanes

(b) This section does not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane, pursuant to Section 21207.5, at a speed no greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists.

There is not a lot more the DMV code says about riding motorized bicycles. Apparently, except for the above (and a few other special rules) motorized scooters need to follow the same rules as bicycles. One of these is that it is okay to move into a left turn lane to turn left (paragraph 2):

Section 21202: Operation on Roadway

21202.  (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway 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 edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.