Moped - Individual Countries/regions

Mopeds in Australia have to be ADR approved in order to be ridden on Australian roads. All requirements are listed in the consumer affairs website.

From 1997 onwards, the legal definition of moped changed to "a two- or three-wheeled vehicle having an internal combustion engine with displacement inferior to 50 cc (3.1 cu in) and maximum factory speed of less than 50 km/h (31 mph)". The 1997 New Code of Transit also stated that any person aged 14 or older could ride a moped provided that person could read and be physically able. However, in 1998 the minimum age limit was changed to 18 years, since Brazilian Law does not allow minors to be criminally responsible, which contradicts the 1997 New Code of Transit, that states that being a criminally responsible is a requirement to be able to get a license.

In Alberta, mopeds up to 49 cc (3.0 cu in) and over 55 kg (121 lb) used to require a class 6 motorcycle license. If they are between 35 kg (77 lb) and 55 kg, a class 7 is required. In addition to this, they must not have a driver-operated transmission. They are allowed to carry more than one person. Mopeds are subject to all of the same traffic laws as other vehicles, and all riders must wear helmets.

Regulations have changed as of July 1, 2009, no longer a weight restriction and speed has increased to 70 km/h.

In British Columbia, mopeds (limited-speed motorcycles) and motor assisted cycles (MAC) have separate and distinct classifications and requirements. The following criteria apply to a moped (limited speed motorcycle):

Definition of a limited-speed motorcycle:

• no more than 50 cc (3.1 cu in) engine displacement or 1.5 kilowatts (2.04 PS; 2.01 bhp) motor rating
• does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged
• has a maximum speed on level ground of 70 km/h (43 mph)
• weighs no more than 95 kilograms (209 lb) excluding fuel and batteries
• wheels must be 25.4 cm (10.0 in) in diameter or more

Requirements for operation of a moped (limited speed motorcycle):

• the vehicle must be registered, licensed and insured for road use
• the operator must have a driver's license (any class)
• the operator must wear a helmet

In Ontario, "a moped is a motor-assisted bicycle fitted with pedals that can be operated at all times and has a maximum speed of 50 km/h (31 mph)". A motor assisted bicycle is a bicycle:

(a) that is fitted with pedals that are operable at all times to propel the bicycle,

(b) that weighs not more than 55 kg (121 lb),

(c) that has no hand or foot operated clutch or gearbox driven by the motor and transferring power to the driven wheel,

(d) that has an attached motor driven by electricity or having a piston displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimetres (3.1 cu in), and

(e) that does not have sufficient power to enable the bicycle to attain a speed greater than 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) on level ground within a distance of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from a standing start; ("cyclomoteur")

Since 28 November 2005, moped drivers are required to have either a full M license or a restricted class M license to legally ride on roads in Ontario. Prior to that date riders only required a G license. The G license is a "general" license for automobile drivers such as cars, small vans and trucks.

The "E.U. moped", scooter, moped, or any other type of vehicle that fits into this category, two, three or four wheels, a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and obligatory license plate as proof of insurance. Many E.U. countries only require special insurer issued plates, not state issued plates.

The second category is the Moped, with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), mimimum age is 16, a drivers license is required, one passenger is allowed if the moped or scooter is certified for a passenger.

Both types need an insurer issued license plate, which is much smaller than regular state issued plates, which have to be renewed every 12 months, changing the color of the plates every year. Since a 16-year-old can now drive a 125 cc (7.6 cu in) (80 km/h (50 mph)) bike, and scooters in the "moped" category allow for transporting a passenger comfortably, mopeds, since they have less power, appeal, and space, have almost disappeared as a result of the new E.U. laws. Most teens that don't have the money for the costly A1 driver's license (1st step towards the full motorcycle license), which allows them to drive a 125 cc (7.6 cu in) (80 km/h (50 mph)) scooter or motorcycle, go for the less expensive AM driver's license, which allows them to drive a moped or scooter with a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), but less than 1% chose a moped over a scooter based bike. Modern scooter design and amenities have effectively changed how teens chose their first set of wheels in Germany.

Mopeds in Norway used to go at least 50km/h (usually 55-65km/h) before adaptation of EU regulations. With the 45km/h speed limit tuning the engines are common. You can have a passenger on if they are under 10 years old.

The moped is legally defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with engine displacement of no more than 50 cc (3.1 cu in) and maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h (31 mph). Such vehicles require no licensing. Pillion passengers are not allowed.

A provisional license, full motorcycle or car license is needed to operate a moped. An additional Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate is also required to ride a moped on public roads, except for anyone who obtained their full car driving license before 1 February 2001. A provisional moped license may be obtained at the age of 16, whereas standard car and motorcycles licenses are only available at the age of 17. Provisional licenses require learner plates and expire after two years if the license holder has not passed a test, however it can be extended another two years by retaking the CBT. Mopeds are subject to all of the same traffic laws as other vehicles. All motorized cycles, motorcycles and mopeds under 50 cc are excluded from using UK motorways.

Prior to the 1970s, use of mopeds in the United States was relatively rare due to legal restrictions on the devices in many states. In 1972, Serge Seguin, after writing a masters thesis on the European moped, received two mopeds and a small amount of money from the French company Motobécane to promote the vehicle. After lobbying Congress on its fuel efficiency benefits, Seguin was able to get more than 30 states to devise a specific vehicle classification for mopeds. Produced by U.S. manufacturers such as American Machine and Foundry (AMF), mopeds had very small engines and often could not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h). What they could do, however, was run for up to 220 miles (350 km) on one tank of fuel. Because of the problems caused by the 1970s energy crisis, mopeds quickly became popular, with more than 250,000 people in the United States owning one in 1977. However, as gasoline prices eventually moved down and automobile companies devised more efficient cars, the moped's popularity began to fade.

Legal terms and definitions of low-powered cycles vary from state to state and may include "moped", "motorcycle", "motorized bicycle", "motorscooter", "scooter", "goped", "motor-driven cycle", and others. A moped's speed generally may not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) on level ground, even if it is capable of going faster. In a few states this number is 20 or 25 mph (32 or 40 km/h), and in most states, the maximum engine capacity is 50 cc (3.1 cu in). However, Kansas ("Motorized Bicycle" K.S.A. 8-126, 8-1439a) allows up to 130 cc (7.9 cu in). Some states (including California) require pedals, while others do not. Virginia allows mopeds to operate at up to 35 mph (56 km/h). Some states (e.g. North Carolina) require there to be no external gear-shifting mechanism and that users be 13 years or older to operate and drive with a helmet (depending on the model).