Motorized Scooters, Mini-motorcycles and ATV's

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GMI

By Sgt. Brent Bernhardt/Missouri State Highway Patrol

With the warm weather approaching and the urge to enjoy outdoor activities, there are several safety tips parents should remember regarding their children's safety. There is not a day that passes that a trooper isn't asked, "Is it illegal to drive an ATV on the highway?" "Do I need a driver's license to drive my moped on the highway?" "Can my child ride her scooter on the road?" The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind citizens of the importance of safety on the highways and the legality of the use of motorized scooters, mini-motorcycles, and ATVs on Missouri's highways.

Mini-motorcycles, mopeds, and motorized scooters all fall under the same guidelines and rules as vehicles when referring to Missouri law. They are defined in the Missouri statues as any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with cylinder capacity of not more than 50 cubic centimeters, which produces less than three gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device no more than 30 mph on level ground. All three of these devices-- mini-motorcycles, mopeds, and motorized scooters--can be operated on a public street and highway if the driver holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license. They are not required to be registered or display license plates. Any time one of these devices is operated on a Missouri roadway, the operator is required to abide by the same laws governing a motor vehicle (i.e.: obey the posted speed limit, stop at all STOP signs, yield to approaching traffic when turning left, and drive on the right-side of the roadway.) A helmet is not required, but is strongly recommended with use of these devices.

The safety aspect surrounding these scooters is they are not built to provide occupant protection and are not designed to withstand crash forces, therefore leaving the occupant subject to death or serious injury. The smaller size of these devices makes the occupant hard to see and more likely to be involved in a collision with the motoring traffic.

The operation of ATVs on Missouri highways is restricted to use for governmental, agricultural, and industrial purposes during daylight hours only. All ATVs must be equipped with a lighted headlamp, tail lamp, equilateral triangular emblem, and a day-glow safety flag displayed no less than seven feet above the ground. The statute also allows handicapped persons to operate an ATV on secondary roads for short distances. Cities and counties are permitted to issue special use permits for ATV use within their jurisdictions. With the exception of handicapped persons, all other persons operating an all-terrain vehicle on a highway pursuant to an exception covered in this statute shall have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license. All other on highway use of ATVs is prohibited. Like scooters, the ATV is not designed for highway use, and is not designed to withstand crash forces or protect the occupants like vehicles designed for highway use.

The law enforcement officers in your area see firsthand the result of improper operation of these devices on Missouri roadways and feel that educating the public on the safety aspects surrounding their use is important. These devices are being produced to appeal to the youth of our communities. Parents are purchasing these devices for their children as a toy, with fun and enjoyment in mind, without being aware of the hazard involved when they are improperly used. Please be sure when purchasing and operating these scooters to use caution, be aware of your surroundings, and observe all Missouri motor vehicle laws. Let's make our summer a safe and enjoyable one.