What is a 49cc Scooter?
What is a 49cc scooter? Well, in Missouri, a scooter is essentially a lightweight, motorized two-wheeled vehicle with a step-through chassis and footrest platform. To expound a bit more, to be considered a scooter, the vehicle must have a headlight which sheds a white beam of light at least 50 feet ahead. The handlebar must be not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the ground when on the wheels. And the wheels must not be 14 inches or larger in diameter.
From a functional standpoint, a 49cc scooter is typically a two-stroke engine which is usually air-cooled, runs on a normal oil/gas mixture, and has only one speed . These scooters usually have automatic transmission and are typically much lighter than a motorcycle. Due to the fact that a 49cc scooter isn’t capable of great speeds, they are almost considered to be toys to get you from Point A to Point B without the hassle of pedaling. Due to their small size these scooters provide the ability to navigate through congested traffic areas. Generally they have a small storage area under the seat or in the back of the scooter. And they are relatively economical, both to purchase and to operate. However, in Missouri a scooter is treated just like any other motorcycle though it is manevered like a scooter.
License Requirements and Registration
License and Registration Requirements for 49cc Scooters in Missouri
The licensing and registration process for operating a 49cc scooter is fairly straightforward in Missouri but includes more steps than simply registering your scooter with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
There are age restrictions to keep in mind for both the rider and the operator. Missouri’s laws are strict about the licensing of underage minors, so they will need to be prepared before attempting to operate a 49cc scooter. As a new rider, you will also need a motorcycle endorsement.
In Missouri, you will need either a Class M license or a Class M learner’s permit to operate a 49cc scooter. This is true for any two or three-wheeled motor vehicle. Unfortunately, this process isn’t as simple as presenting your current license and paying a small fee. If you do not already have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, you will have to go through the following process:
- Motorcycle Knowledge and Skills Testing
- Obtain Separate Endorsement at DMV
- Practice with Learner’s Permit for at Least 6 Months
- Take Skills Test to Obtain Class M License
(Or you can skip the skills test if you have held a Class M license in the past for at least 2 of the previous 10 years and pay appropriate fees).
However, Missouri does allow you to waive the knowledge and skills tests if you complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved safety course. Completion of the course coupled with an application at your local DMV office allows you to get your motorcycle license instantly.
It is important to point out that in order to qualify for the waiver, you must complete the DOT safety course after July 1, 1995—additional details about the course can be found at the Missouri DMV’s Safety and Education Program (MOSEP) page.
Some 49cc scooter operators are exempt from needing a license. But note that while riders do not need to be licensed, operators of these scooters do need a license or permit. Operators are adults who own their own scooters and drive them for convenience. They must follow all licensing rules as previously described, while riders under the age of 16 only need to possess a motorcycle permit and operate their scooter in a supervised capacity. Additionally, no person under the age of 16 can be a passenger on a motor scooter allowed to be ridden by minors.
Helmet Law and Other Safety Requirements
When it comes to policy on 49cc scooter laws, each state has different requirements that range from confusing to almost nonexistent. Missouri’s approach falls into the first category. Specifically, the show-home tagline should be a huge red flag for people in this state that are considering the lifestyle: "your backyard is a show place".
Despite the fact that show-home policy, in addition to black mold, is an issue with many newer homes constructed in the state, "before you leave home" should be the motto readily embraced by anyone who has ever set foot on a 49cc scooter. Sadly, Missouri’s helmet law seems to have been lost in translation, and few if any seem to know it exists at all.
50cc scooters hardly seem like the type of vehicle you would experience as an "investment" for the showy type of person that can afford a million-dollar mansion in a state that is not known for those types of homes. Unsurprisingly, that is exactly what these motor scooters are. That means people need to take a number of precautions, including wearing the proper safety gear while riding.
Because the mental health of many of the residents is not what it should be, Missouri law enforcement seems to have been told to ignore the bulk of illegal activities going on in this state. Everyone knows that drug dealers can own multi-million dollar properties, illegal immigrants can own multimillion dollar properties, and DUI and DWI convictions happen at such alarming frequency that people think nothing of them being committed by a person who should never have been allowed to get behind the wheel in the first place.
Whoever decided Missouri was not going to join the 48 other states that currently mandate the use of helmets when riding scooters was making a serious mistake. Perhaps it was the same group who decided to over-regulate the state in less critical areas, like those mentioned about (no pun intended), in addition to others like educational materials, local government control, utilities, and more.
Not only does Missouri have a grossly outdated approach to how safe or unsafe a scooter rider can or should go without a helmet, the state also fails to recognize any of the other safety gear that can contribute to the wellness of the scooter rider after a fall or collision. It’s about as absurd as the tagline mentioned earlier "your backyard is a show place", given the fact that so many homes look more like a junkyard, but the scooter laws are a mental case.
The following is a brief overview of the helmet law in Missouri relating to 49cc scooters, but its existence is likely unknown to at least 90 percent of people who own these vehicles in the state. Not only are the policies ridiculous, but so is the lack of awareness about the laws among officers enforcing them.
Missouri law requires all drivers and passengers using a 49cc scooter to wear a helmet. Technically, the law indicates that children under the age of 26 must wear a helmet when riding on the back of a scooter, but given how few people acknowledge the scooter laws in Missouri due to the total lack of enforcement, it’s likely that only a very small percentage of users even know there are such requirements.
Anyone who does not wear a helmet while on a scooter can be ticketed. At a minimum, the ticket is $15. In addition to the fine, riders who don’t wear a helmet will be required to pay any increase in insurance premiums or higher deductible they might have for not wearing a helmet.
In addition to the obvious, not wearing a helmet when riding on a scooter means riders do not have the opportunity to obtain coverage for their injuries when a collision causes them. Although many Missouri riders (despite the lack of ordinance support) do not choose to ride with a helmet, it is recommended as it protects a large portion of the body that is significantly vulnerable in an accident.
Manufacturers of scooters, including those with less than 50cc, are not required to provide information on the use or effectiveness of protective headgear or helmets for safety. Unlike helmet-use laws, helmet manufacturers are currently required to provide information on improper or defective products. Educators also have no concrete guidelines that dictate the best kind of helmet to use, since safety testing can be proprietary.
The bottom line about helmets and safety gear in Missouri is that even though the 50cc scooters are not regulated in the same way as the other scooters, helmets and extra protection gear are still necessary. With more drivers in Missouri distracted now than ever before, wearing a helmet – and other protective gear – is the best approach to saving your life.
Road Regulations
Missouri’s 49cc scooter laws in relation to road rules are very similar to motorcycles. The key difference is that a motorcycle can go at higher speeds and therefore is subject to additional restrictions. For example, many larger cities throughout Missouri only allow motorcycles to be operated on roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less. This restriction can be extended to motorized bikes and mopeds as well.
Motorcycles are also not allowed on highways at all. Motorcycles in Missouri are very strongly encouraged to obey all traffic rules and regulations at all times. While driving on roadways, motorcycles should completely stop when required, yield to pedestrians cross the street, use proper turn signals when making turns or lane changes, and not drive at an excessive rate of speed.
Drivers of motorcycles are required to move all the way to the right on a 4 or 5 lane roadway. If the roadways are one-way you must remain in the left lane at all times. Motorcycles can also only be driven by one person at a time unless you have the additional permit. The motorcycle must have a working headlight, taillight, and stop signal if the motorcycle was manufactured after 1973.
In Missouri, 49cc scooters are actually considered common scooters and therefore do not come with any particular road rules that differ from any other motorized vehicle. In some counties, there may be additional regulations when it comes to parking or riding areas. 47 states follow essentially the same rules and regulations about where you can drive and where you cannot. Hawaiian states follow different rules, and therefore the best thing to do is to check the local laws where you live.
The only exception to the road rules for 49cc scooters is riding on limited access highways. If you are at least 15 years of age and are either licensed for driving or holding a learner’s permit and traveling along with an adult 25 years of age or older on any vehicle, you can ride along a highway that has restricted access.
While riding on highways, including the interstate, you must be accompanied by another vehicle or person going between 25 mph and 40 mph.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
In addition to licensing, insuring your 49cc scooter is not just a good idea, it’s the law. Missouri requires all motor vehicles to have liability insurance, and mopeds are included as motor vehicles. In fact, most insurance companies will not specifically ask if you own a scooter, they’ll ask if you own a motorcycle, or in some cases, they’ll ask if you own a moped or motorbike. Motorcycles and mopeds fall under the same classification of vehicles for insurance purposes, and any company that offers insurance policies for motorcycles will offer policies for mopeds as well. There are three types of coverage available as options for your insurance policy, but like so many coverage options, not all companies cover all three. However, all of these options can be found easily by calling your insurance provider and discussing your needs.
Basic liability coverage is broken down into two sub-categories; bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury coverage pays out to other parties if you’re at fault for an accident that causes injury to them. This can be a passenger on your scooter, a driver or passenger of another vehicle, or a pedestrian. The coverage also pays for bills for passengers that are on your scooter. Just because you’re injured on your own scooter, doesn’t mean you can’t also sue someone else, but in Missouri , you are required to prove some fault on their part. In the event that you’re sued, liability coverage can cover some or all of the legal expenses involved in the defense of the claim, but again, only if the accident was caused by your fault. The other type of liability coverage that’s available for mopeds is property damage. This coverage pays out for any damage caused to the property of others in an accident. It won’t cover damage to your own property, that’s what collision and comprehensive coverage is for.
Collision coverage will pay out for damage to your scooter in an accident where none of the involved parties are at fault. If there’s a hit and run, it will also pay for your damages, but if you’re determined to be at fault in the accident, it will count against you on your claim history and cause your rates to raise, but you’ll still have a claim.
Comprehensive coverage is at odds with collision coverage in some aspects. It covers damages that are beyond your control; theft, vandalism, fire, etc. The only difference is that it covers damage to your scooter, while collision covers damage to other parties’ property. Comprehensive coverage also covers against uninsured drivers, which is something that can be quite helpful to someone driving a smaller vehicle. Missouri drivers are not required to carry insurance, and many don’t.
Penalties and Forms of Action
For those found in violation, the penalties can be steep. Driving a 49cc scooter, as previously noted, requires an individual to at least have a valid driver’s license. Those caught operating an unlicensed vehicle may be penalized under Missouri statute § 302.302. The consequence for this offense may include a fine and/or jail time. In certain circumstances, offenders could face up to 15 days in prison and fines of no more than $300. According to Nebraska’s statutes, someone who operates a vehicle without a license can be penalized with a fine between $100 and $1,000 and up to three months’ imprisonment.
Along with the penalties for operating without a license or a lean title, people may also face consequences for possessing an unregistered vehicle. Missouri statute § 301.025 states that anyone who has a vehicle and fails to register it within 30 days is guilty of an infraction. This could mean that the person faces a fine of up to $200. Further, if the vehicle is never registered, the individual faces a fine of up to $500 if they are found guilty. The penalties for this infraction are based upon being found guilty of the first one.
Driving a modified moped is also illegal in Missouri. An individual caught doing so could potentially face class B misdemeanor charges, though violation of some moped chapters are only class D violations.
Missouri moped laws are instead separated into two divisions: those concerning licensing and those concerning registration. Regarding licensing, individuals must have a valid regular driver’s license or a moped-only driver’s license to legally drive one on a municipal road. They must also have their moped properly registered with Missouri’s Department of Revenue. The penalty for not having a license in Missouri would likely be a class C misdemeanor. Doing so could also land you a fine of $500, according to Missouri statute § 302.020. Subsequent violations could lead to more jail time and fines ranging from $100 to $500.
Registration is rather simple. Titles are the main focus, as it is vital that anyone registering a moped have a title. They also must fill out the necessary forms and pay the applicable fees. Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to a penalty of $200. The fine is a class A violation, but if the offense is repeated, the penalty is a class B violation. In severe cases, the offense may amount to a class D felony.
It is essential that anyone who wishes to ride a 49cc scooter in Missouri obtains the driver’s license and registration they need to do so legally. Failure to comply with the law could lead to severe legal and financial penalties.
Best Practices for Riding Safely in Missouri
To safely ride a 49cc scooter in Missouri, it’s critical to understand the potential risks on the road and the precautions you should take. In addition to ensuring that your scooter is compliant with the state’s regulations, including having a working rearview mirror, horn, headlamp and brake lamp, here are some tips for ensuring both safety and compliance in every ride:
- Be careful. When you have 50cc or less of horsepower at your disposal, "pushing it" or showing off to friends can seem tempting. Resist these urges at all times in order to not only ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road, but also your legal compliance as well.
- Anticipate the actions of other drivers. Just as when driving a car, you should learn to anticipate what other drivers might do. This not only helps you avoid an accident when another driver makes a move you were expecting, it also reminds you to be aware of the likely speeds of any vehicles in your vicinity . Scooter are less capable of keeping up with standard traffic speeds, so even if a vehicle appears far back in your rearview mirror at one moment, it doesn’t take long for it to catch up to you and pass without warning.
- Make yourself visible. The same practice of making yourself visible that is recommended for motorcyclists is important for scooterists as well. The combination of low speed and low power makes you particularly vulnerable to larger and faster vehicles. Always wear bright-coloured and reflective clothing, and try to avoid riding at night and in rainy conditions.
- Learn the local laws. As noted above, scooters are subject to several laws not similarly applicable to scooters. By studying the rules of the road for scooter operators, you can avoid inadvertent violations.
While riding in Missouri with a 49cc scooter is often safer and easier than operating a car or truck, it is still important to follow the relevant rules of the road to avoid accidents and legal penalties.