City of Laurel, Maryland

Titling, Insurance, and Required Use of Protective Headgear

Effective October 1, 2012

• Mopeds and Motor Scooters must be titled, under §13-101.1
• Mopeds and Motor Scooters must be insured, under §13-104(a)(3), and operators must carry proof of insurance, under §17-104.1
• Moped and Motor Scooter operators must wear protective headgear, under §21-1306.1(b), and eye protection (if there is no windscreen), under §21-1306.1(c)(1)

Under §11-134.1, moped means a bicycle that:

Is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of a motor; Is equipped with pedals that mechanically drive the rear wheel(s); Has two or three wheels, one of which is more than 14 inches in diameter; and Has a motor with a rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less or 50 cc or less

Under §11-134.5, motor scooter means a nonpedal vehicle that:

Has a seat for the operator; Has two wheels, one of which is 10 inches or more in diameter; has a step-through chassis; has a motor with a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less or 50 cc or less; and Is equipped with an automatic transmission; (Does not include ATVs)

Mopeds and Motor Scooters must display a title decal on the rear of the vehicle, under §13-106

Mopeds and Motor Scooters are subject to the same rules of the road as bicycles.

Mopeds and Motor Scooters are subject to the same rules of the road as bicycles

• Rider must ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practical and safe, except when:
  • Making a left turn
  • Operating on a one-way street
  • Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle
  • Avoiding pedestrians and road hazards
  • The right lane is a right turn only lane
  • Operating in a lane too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side
• May ride side by side only if flow of traffic is unimpeded
• Must exercise due care when passing
• No headsets covering both ears, and no earplugs
• Not permitted on highways (>50 mph)
• May not be operated at a speed exceeding 30 mph
• May not ride on roadway where there is a smooth paved bike lane or paved shoulder
• Must obey rules of the road applicable to all vehicles
• Rider must possess a driver's license or moped operator's permit (motorcycle license not required)

Motorized Minibikes

• Not subject to registration
• Not permitted on the streets

Low Speed motorcycles

• 1.5 brake horsepower or less or less than 70cc
• Not permitted on highways (>50 mph)