We handle scooter injury cases in North and South Carolina. The laws of each state are different. A summary of the most important state laws are below.*
North Carolina:
North Carolina statute defines a moped has having “two or three wheels, no external shifter, with a motor not to exceed 50 cubic centimeters of piston displacement and up to 30 mph propulsion on a level surface.” NCGS 20-4.01(23) now reads “every vehicle which is self-propelled” and runs on the highway. NCGS 20-279.1 (6a) now includes moped in the definition of motor vehicle. As such, a scooter that you rent will be classified as a moped under NC law.
North Carolina law requires all mopeds that are operated on a state-maintained road to be registered with the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. Unlike other vehicles, however, they do not have to be titled.
State law also requires mopeds be covered under liability insurance coverage with limits no less than $30,000/$60,000/$25,000. Failure to maintain liability insurance coverage constitutes a lapse and may result in the revocation of the North Carolina license plate.
Motorcycles and mopeds (and scooters) account for about 2% of all vehicles in NC, but are about 10% of fatalities.
Some frequently asked questions are the following:
Does my moped need an annual inspection?
No. Mopeds do not require an annual inspection.
Do I have to pay vehicle property tax?
No. Property tax is not collected on mopeds
Here are some links related to scooters in NC:
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/moped-requirements.aspx
https://www.bikewalknc.org/2018/09/rules-of-the-road-for-electric-scooters/
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article217096110.html
South Carolina:
New moped laws went into effect in November 19, 2018. The law requires all mopeds to be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles which will cost $10 every two years. It also requires drivers to get a license plate for their moped, and anyone under the age of 21 driving or riding a moped must wear a helmet. Moped drivers will also be subject to the laws of the road, meaning anyone driving a moped can be cited for traffic violations including driving under the influence.
If you are 15, you may apply for a moped operator’s, or Class G, license by taking the vision and knowledge test at any SCDMV branch. South Carolina does not require a skills test for moped applicants. You must have a valid driver’s license or moped license to drive a moped.
If you are 16 or older with a moped license, you may drive a moped alone at any time.
Anyone younger than 16 with a moped license may operate a moped alone only during daylight hours; and during nighttime hours when with a licensed driver who is 21 or older and has at least one year of driving experience. That driver must be a passenger on the moped or within a safe viewing distance of the moped driver when operating the moped.
Here are some links related to scooters in SC:
http://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Moped