MOPEDS
Excluding motorcycles and e-bikes, there are two other categories for motor-driven cycles in Florida – mopeds and motorized scooters. It’s important to pay close attention to which category your vehicle falls into, since there are different laws and requirements for each. Along those same lines, if your motor-driven cycle is too powerful to fit into either of the following classifications, then it is likely classified as a motorcycle, which also has it’s own laws and requirements, including different licensing and registration laws.

In Florida, in order for a vehicle to be considered a moped it must:

• Have a seat
• Have pedals for assisting in propulsion
• Have 3 or less wheels
• Have a motor with 2 brake hp or less, and 50 cc or less displacement size
• Be unable to go more than 30 mph on level ground
• Have an automatic transmission

Links:www.motorizedbicyclehq.com/motorized-bicycle-laws-florida/

A vehicle with two or three wheels, a seat or saddle, and an engine of 51cc or more is generally considered a motorcycle. To operate a motorcycle on the road, you need both a driver’s license as well as a motorcycle endorsement, and Florida law requires you to wear eye protection. In addition, the motorcycle needs both a title and registration. You can operate a motorcycle without a helmet in Florida, but you need to carry at least $10,000 of PIP motorcycle insurance.

Links:https://www.valuepenguin.com/florida-moped-scooter-insurance-laws

Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined

If you’re unsure about the registration and insurance requirements for your two-wheeled vehicle, please call the DHSMV at (850) 617-2000 for clarification.

Motorcycle—Motorcycles are generally the easiest of the two-wheeled vehicles to spot. Know that if your vehicle has an engine displacement of more than 50 cc, Florida considers it a motorcycle and you must register it.

Mopeds—Your vehicle is a moped if it has:

• 3 wheels or fewer
• A seat
• Pedals that allow you to propel the vehicle
• A motor of two-brake horsepower or less
• The ability to go no faster than 30 MPH
• An automatic power-drive system
• A displacement of 50 cc or less (if it has an internal combustion engine)

Scooters—Your vehicle is a scooter if it has:

• No seat or saddle
• 3 wheels or less
• The ability to go no faster than 30 MPH

Links: www.dmv.org/fl-florida/insurance/motorcycle-insurance-minimum-requirements.php

Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined

If you’re unsure about the registration and insurance requirements for your two-wheeled vehicle, please call the DHSMV at (850) 617-2000 for clarification.

Motorcycle—Motorcycles are generally the easiest of the two-wheeled vehicles to spot. Know that if your vehicle has an engine displacement of more than 50 cc, Florida considers it a motorcycle and you must register it.

Mopeds—Your vehicle is a moped if it has:

• 3 wheels or fewer
• A seat
• Pedals that allow you to propel the vehicle
• A motor of two-brake horsepower or less
• The ability to go no faster than 30 MPH
• An automatic power-drive system
• A displacement of 50 cc or less (if it has an internal combustion engine)

Scooters—Your vehicle is a scooter if it has:

• No seat or saddle
• 3 wheels or less
• The ability to go no faster than 30 MPH

Links: www.dmv.org/fl-florida/insurance/motorcycle-insurance-minimum-requirements.php

Florida’s helmet law is somewhat complex. Generally, it requires all motorcycle operators and riders to wear helmets. The helmet law, however, does not apply to operators or riders over 21, so long as the person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.

The helmet law also does not apply to any person 16 or older who operates or rides on a motorcycle powered by a motor with a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less or is rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and which is not capable of propelling the motorcycle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

All motorcycle drivers and riders, regardless of age, are required to wear eye protection. Anyone who rides in an enclosed side car is not subject to Florida’s helmet or eye protection laws.

Links: www.edgarsnyder.com/motorcycle-accidents/state-helmet-laws/#florida