There is no such thing as a scooter in Massachusetts!
As gas prices remain high so has interest in vehicles such as motor scooters, mopeds, motorcycles and the newly popular two and three wheel gas or electric powered models that defy traditional definitions of a vehicle. In the first six months of this year, Massachusetts drivers put 4,226 motorized bicycles on the road compared to 3,603 motorized bicycles registrations for all of last year. Motorcycle registrations have also increased four percent over last year at this time.
All of the vehicles above are marketed as a scooter. But a scooter is not one of the three categories of two or three-wheeled vehicles that have been defined by the Legislature and enforced by the RMV-motorized scooter, motorized bicycle and motorcycle. Not all two or three wheel vehicles are treated alike under state and federal laws. Federal law has established safety standards for motorcycles and motorized bicycles which manufacturers must certify they meet. Also, two or three wheeled vehicles may be subject to different state operating restrictions, licensing and registration rules.
The Massachusetts RMV suggests you review the following definitions and restrictions that apply to each category so you don't waste money on a potentially gas saving vehicle that by law you can't put on the road or use to get to work or school.
State Rolling Out New Vehicle Inspection Program
For Most Massachusetts Motorists, It Will Be Business As Usual
Massachusetts will introduce its "next generation" vehicle emissions testing and safety inspection program on Wednesday, October 1, but officials from the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) said today that except for a new name, Massachusetts Vehicle Check, most motorists shouldn't notice much of a difference.
"People will still be able to take their vehicles to familiar neighborhood inspection stations and will pay the same $29 fee for a sticker that they have since 1999," said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. "In designing a stronger program to keep our state's roads safe and air clean, we wanted to keep it convenient and affordable for the motoring public."
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