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You’ve probably been held up in traffic by a moped before. Most of these little scooters are limited to 30 mph, causing frustration on the road. But are people actually allowed to legally drive a moped on the road? 

In some cases, it is legal to drive a moped on the road, but there are certain requirements to meet. Also, each state has different regulations and moped laws in place. 

For example, it’s illegal to drive a moped in North Carolina if it can go above 30 mph but in Iowa, scooters can legally travel at speeds up to 39 mph. 

In most states, scooters do not require a license to operate. But if they can travel faster than the legal moped speed, then they are considered to be motorcycles and may at least require a motorcycle endorsement or license.

However, in Arkansas, you’re required to have a Class M or MD license to operate motor-driven cycles such as scooters, mopeds, and smaller motorcycles with engine displacements of under 250 cc. 

A Class M license is a motorcycle license and a Class MD License is for those between 14 and 16. It permits them to ride a motor-driven cycle with 250 cc or less. But in Maryland, you need a valid driver’s license of some class. 

A woman riding a moped int he rain
A girl on a moped | iStock

In North Carolina, you must be 16 years of age or older to operate on highways or other public areas. In Iowa, a moped passenger must be at least 14 years old. 

Also, in North Carolina, scooter operators are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet and the scooter must be registered. 

The helmet must comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, which requires the helmet to have a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that’s about 1 inch thick. Iowa doesn’t require any safety gear. 

It costs about $40 for a title and $15 to register scooters with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

So, if you lose your license or just want to use a scooter to get around town, be sure to look up the laws and regulations for your state.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.