Thinking about buying a scooter which does not require a motorcycle license for my wife. In New York State, does one need a motorcycle license for a Vino 50cc Classic? Thanks.

hayesdt wrote:Thinking about buying a scooter which does not require a motorcycle license for my wife. In New York State, does one need a motorcycle license for a Vino 50cc Classic? Thanks.

Yes.

The rule is, if the bike can sustain a top speed over 30 mph, you need an M endorsement. Contrary to myth, it has nothing to do with the engine size.

The Vino can sustain over 40 mph, so you'll need it. It's considered a motorcycle, according to state law.

What I think you are looking for is defined by the DMV as a Class B or Class C "limited-use motorcycle." Very few scooters fall into this category, but many mopeds do.

Class A Mopeds

* Mopeds over 30mph to 40mph
* Class M/MJ license required
* Headlight must be on at all times when operating
* Insurance required
* Registration required
* Helmet & eye protection required
* May operate on any traffic lane
* Inspection required
* No title required

Class B Mopeds

* Over 20mph to 30mph
* Any class license
* Registration required
* Headlight must be on at all times when operating
* Helmet and eye protection required
* May operate on Right-Hand lane or Shoulder only
* Insurance required
* No inspection required
* No title required

Class C Mopeds

* 20mph or less
* Any class license
* Registration required
* Headlight must be on at all times when operating
* No helmet and eye protection required
* May operate on Right-hand lane or Shoulder only
* No insurance required
* No inspection required
* No title required

See: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm#MOPEDS

"The DMV certifies a moped as a Class A, Class B or Class C limited use motorcycle according to top speed. The manufacturer requests the certification through the DMV Technical Services Bureau. Only a DMV-certified model of limited-use motorcycle can get a registration in NYS. The phone number for the Technical Services Bureau is (518) 474-5282."

Here's another good thread to review to understand this a little better:
http://www.nyscooterclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3961

Moving to FAQ.

Licensing rules for New Jersey

Motorized bikes (mopeds)
A motorized bike (moped) is a pedal bicycle with a helper motor and is exempt from inspection requirements. For a vehicle to qualify as a moped, it must meet all four of the following conditions:
-Be classified as a pedal bicycle
-Have a motor with less than 50 CCs
-Cannot have more than 1.5 brake horsepower
-Maximum speed cannot be greater than 25 MPH on a flat surface
Vehicles without pedals that are less than 50 CCs, cannot be registered as mopeds. They must be registered as motorcycles, regardless of engine size.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/Mopeds.htm

You need a motorcycle license for anything that must be registered as a motorcycle.

Andrea

Andrea wrote:Licensing rules for New Jersey

Motorized bikes (mopeds)
A motorized bike (moped) is a pedal bicycle with a helper motor and is exempt from inspection requirements. For a vehicle to qualify as a moped, it must meet all four of the following conditions:
-Be classified as a pedal bicycle
-Have a motor with less than 50 CCs
-Cannot have more than 1.5 brake horsepower
-Maximum speed cannot be greater than 25 MPH on a flat surface
Vehicles without pedals that are less than 50 CCs, cannot be registered as mopeds. They must be registered as motorcycles, regardless of engine size.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/Mopeds.htm

You need a motorcycle license for anything that must be registered as a motorcycle.

Andrea

i beg to differ because my qt50 had no pedals and was registered as a moped

it could, depends how fast it goes?

-Vinny

There is no accounting for New Jersey. It's a wild and crazy place.

Nevertheless, my ET2, with a whopping 49 cc, is a registered motorcycle.

In New York, you need a motorcycle license to operate an scooter that goes over 30mph. The police know this and will stop you for any reason just to give you a ticket for 'operating out of class'. The 'under 50cc' rule does NOT APPLY in New York State.
I was stopped and given tickets and went to court 3 times. Since even the judges are unclear about this, I was found 'not guilty' the first two times b/c it said 'moped' on my reg. , and guilty the 3rd.
I finally got my motorcycle license yesterday, after passing the road test on a scooter.
I went thru 'Brooklyn Driving School'. Paid them $179.00, they made all the arrangements w/ DMV, and gave me a half hour practice test on their scootr, provided helmets w/ two way radio for talking, then took me to Red Hook, where I passed the test easily. Definitely worth it.

The NY DMV makes their own rules apparently. When we contacted the Technical Services Bureau for a list of A, B, and C scooters / mopeds, alot of the information was inaccurate. A particular model was said to have a top speed of no greater than 30mph and therefore is considered to be a CLASS B (no motorcycle endorsement required). However, we test rode the particular model and were able to achieve upwards of 45+mph. It makes no sense, but hey better for you. I would recommend just getting the MC license though as the road test is a piece of cake. 3 8's, 3 circles, and then ride around the block.

njrentascooter wrote:The NY DMV makes their own rules apparently. When we contacted the Technical Services Bureau for a list of A, B, and C scooters / mopeds, alot of the information was inaccurate. A particular model was said to have a top speed of no greater than 30mph and therefore is considered to be a CLASS B (no motorcycle endorsement required). However, we test rode the particular model and were able to achieve upwards of 45+mph. It makes no sense, but hey better for you. I would recommend just getting the MC license though as the road test is a piece of cake. 3 8's, 3 circles, and then ride around the block.

They generally go by what it says on the MSO.
Almost any 50cc, ESPECIALLY a two stroke, is CAPABLE of 40+ MPH.
But many are restricted to comply with the law.
Folks remove the restrictions to make them go faster.
Sometimes the MSO is not accurate (my old Benelli M50 would do 42 but the MSO said 30).