"Motorcycle'', any 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, including any bicycle with a motor or driving wheel attached, except a tractor or a motor vehicle designed for the carrying of golf clubs and not more than four persons, an industrial three-wheel truck, a motor vehicle on which the operator and passenger ride within an enclosed cab, or a motorized bicycle. Chapter 90, Section 1.

According to Massachusetts law, a moped is considered a "motorized bicycle". A motorized bicycle is defined as a pedal bicycle which has a helper motor, or a non-pedal bicycle which has a motor. This may or may not include scooters. To be registered in Massachusetts, mopeds and/or scooters must meet the following requirements...

- have an automatic transmission

- have a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters

- have a maximum speed of no more than 30 mph

- meet all federal safety standards

NOTE: If the restrictor plate (mechanical part of moped that restricts the speed of a moped) is removed from the moped, the moped must be registered as a motorcycle and sales tax must be collected by the RMV.

Also, if the moped has a maximum speed of GREATER than 30 mph, it must be registered as a motorcycle. (You will need to obtain a Motorcycle learner's permit and/or driver's license in order to operate a motorcycle.)

In order to obtain a moped registration decal, the registering owner will need to complete the Application for Motorized Bicycle (Moped) Registration and submit it to a full service RMV branch along with acceptable proof of purchase/supporting documents (i.e. bill of sale, certificate of origin, copy of seller's registration, etc.) and the appropriate registration fee. The Moped Applications are available on the RMV website, at any full service RMV office or you may request an application to be faxed or mailed from the RMV Telephone Center at (617)351-4500 (within 339/617/781/857) or 1(800)858-3926 (from all other MA area codes) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.

Operating Requirements for Moped:

Massachusetts law requires the following restrictions when operating a moped...

- Operator and passenger must wear a DOT approved motorcycle helmet

- Operator must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license or learner's permit

- Moped may not be operated at a speed greater than 25 mph

- Mopeds may be used on all public ways (except limited access or express state highways where signs prohibiting bicycles have been posted)

- Moped operators are subject to all state and traffic laws and regulations except:

-Operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle moving in a travel lane

-Operator shall signal by either hand when turning or stopping

-Mopeds may be operated on adjacent bicycle lanes but not on recreational paths

Massachusetts Law provides for the following restrictions in the operation of a Motor Scooter:

a) Operator must wear a helmet as prescribed by the Registrar. The helmet must meet or exceed the standards established in the United States Department of Transportation's (US DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 for motorcycle helmets (49 CFR 571.218).

b) Operator must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver's license or learner's permit.

c) Motorized Scooters may not be operated at a speed greater than twenty-miles per hour (20 m.p.h.).

d) Motorized Scooters may be operated on all public ways (except limited access or express state highways where signs prohibiting bicycles or scooters have been posted).

e) Motorized Scooter operators are subject to all state traffic laws and regulations, except that the operator must keep to the right side of the road at all times, including when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way.

f.) Operator shall signal when stopping or turning.

g.) Motorized Scooters may not be operated upon any way after sunset or before sunrise.

h.) No passenger may be carried on a Motorized Scooter.

i.) Any violation is subject to a fine of up to $25 (1st Offense); $25-$50 (2nd Offense); $50-$100 (3rd + Offense).

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