Moped and Scooter Laws in Georgia

We can add mopeds, scooters, and e-scooters to our planes, trains, and automobile modes of travel. Generally more eco-friendly and economical than cars and trucks, these vehicles are increasing in popularity on Georgia’s roads. To keep everyone safe, Georgia has established rules and laws that moped and scooter operators must respect and follow. 

Georgia’s Moped Laws

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) defines a moped as “any motor-driven cycle with an engine not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters.” They are not capable of exceeding 30 miles per hour on level surfaces. 

Along with exempting mopeds from insurance requirements and “provisions relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles.” Georgia has established specific rules for operating mopeds on Georgia’s roads. Riders must: 

• Be 15 years old, have an unexpired driver’s license, instructional permit, or limited permit
• Wear a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) 
• Comply with all traffic laws governing motor vehicle drivers
• Refrain from using limited access highways or other roads with a minimum speed limit exceeding 35 miles per hour 

Mopeds have limited power compared to other motor vehicles, so riding them on roads with higher speed limits is unsafe and illegal.

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Georgia’s Scooter Laws

The DDS defines scooters as vehicles with engines over 50 cubic centimeters (cc) and classifies them as motorcycles. There are additional DDS characteristics designating a vehicle as a scooter:

• It includes a saddle for the rider’s use.
• The vehicle is controlled by the handlebars.
• It is designed to travel with no more than three wheels on the ground.
• It does not have a tractor.

Scooters are subject to the same laws for operation and registration as motorcycle riders. For a motorcycle or scooter license, riders must be at least 17 years of age and pass a knowledge, road skills, and vision exam. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) offers a course for potential riders, and those who complete the course requirements do not have to take the exam. 

These requirements include:

• Students must use their own scooters. The GMSP does not provide vehicles
• Scooter engines must be smaller than 500cc and larger than 50cc
• Scooters must be owned by the student, registered, and insured. Students must show proof of current registration and insurance.
• Scooters will undergo safety checks and must be determined as street legal
• If students ride their scooters to and from class, they must have a Class MP (instructional) permit 

Permit holders cannot ride after dark. For night classes, permit holders would have to use a trailer to get the scooter to and from class.

Insurance Requirements for Scooters

Unlike moped owners, scooter owners and operators must carry insurance on their vehicles. The State of Georgia requires $25,000 coverage for bodily injury liability insurance per person and $50,000 per accident. Policies must also include $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. 

Electric (e) Scooters

Electric scooters have become a popular mode of transportation for tourists, professional commuters, and students throughout Georgia. While some riders own their own vehicles, most cities have established e-scooter programs allowing users to rent a vehicle from a public charging station and ride it to their destination, paying for the service through an app. 

E-scooter rules are more lenient than even moped laws. Riders must be 15 years or older but do not have to have a license or carry insurance, and riders under 16 must wear a helmet. Of course, riders must operate the vehicles in compliance with all traffic laws and rules of the road.

The State allows only single riders on scooters and limits their use to bike paths, bike lanes near roads, or roads with speed limits of 35mph or less. 

Texting and Riding

Since moped, scooter, and e-scooter riders are subject to the same traffic laws as drivers of cars or trucks, they cannot use smartphones while riding. They cannot exchange texts, call someone, check social media, or look up directions while driving. 

While drivers of cars or trucks may have a hands-free method for carrying out some of these actions legally, such as by sending a voice-to-text message, moped, scooter, and e-scooter riders do not have that option and must pull over and park the vehicle before carrying any such actions out. 

Ride to Work Day and Other Benefits

Mopeds and scooters are more energy-efficient means of traveling and can help reduce traffic-congested roads. The DDS has even instituted “Ride to Work Day” to encourage this more economical form of travel and bring attention to motorcycle safety.

E-scooters, heralded as an efficient form of micro-mobility by some, have generated controversy as some find them a public nuisance. Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy, however, conducted a study revealing e-scooters reduce road congestion by providing travel options other than personal or ridesharing vehicles or walking. Researchers estimate nationwide savings of $536 million per year when converting time saved in traffic to a dollar amount.

Safety Concerns

Large scooters, those classified as motorcycles, leave riders especially vulnerable when involved in an accident. They share high-speed roads with other high-speed travelers but lack the protection afforded by a closed vehicle’s body.

Though mopeds cannot be involved in high-speed crashes due to their limited capabilities and road-travel restrictions, even lower-speed crashes can cause serious injury or fatality. Like motorcycle riders, moped operators have very little protection upon impact with another vehicle, an obstacle, or the road itself. 

Even e-scooter riders are vulnerable to falls caused by cracks or bumps in the roads, abrupt stops, or collisions with other riders, pedestrians, or vehicles. Despite the laws and rules established to protect all riders and others are the roads, accidents happen.

If You Need to Secure a Settlement, We Are Here to Help

Whether you have sustained an injury as a moped, scooter, or e-scooter rider or because of a careless vehicle operator, you are entitled to high-quality representation from a skilled personal injury attorney. By visiting the John Foy & Associates contact page, you can easily schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Georgia who will work tirelessly to secure fair compensation for your losses.