The Do’s and Don’t of Motor Cycles, Pocket Bikes, Mopeds and Scooters

 

  1. The pocket bikes qualify as motorcycles, in order to operate them on public roadways, they must be properly equipped. (46.2-1010 & 46.2-1013)
  2. Operators of pocket bikes must also wear helmets (46.2-910) and be properly licensed (46.2-337)
  3. Motorized scooters fall into the category of moped, as long as their speed doesn't exceed 30 mph.  (Mopeds 46.2-100) Operation of motorized scooters and mopeds on public roadways is legal if the vehicle is not driven faster than 30 mph or by a person under 16 years of age (46.2-914). The county code requires riders of mopeds to wear appropriate safety equipment (co. code 13-389)

 

 

Here are the code sections

 

POCKET BIKES NEED EQUIPMENT TO BE ON ROADWAYS, LIGHTS, TAIL/BRAKELIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE ILLUMINATION, BE PROPERLY LICENSED AS THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS STATE

 

§ 46.2-1010. Equipment required.

Every vehicle driven or moved on a highway within the Commonwealth shall at all times be equipped with such lights as are required in this chapter for different classes of vehicles. The lights shall at all times be capable of being lighted, except as otherwise provided. This section shall not apply, however, to any vehicle for transporting well-drilling machinery licensed under § 46.2-700 when operated only between the hours of sunrise and sunset

 

 

§ 46.2-1011. Headlights on motor vehicles.

Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, road roller, road machinery, or tractor used on a highway shall be equipped with at least two headlights as approved by the Superintendent, at the front of and on opposite sides of the motor vehicle.

 

§ 46.2-1012. Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles.

Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one headlight which shall be of a type that has been approved by the Superintendent and shall be capable of projecting sufficient light to the front of such motorcycle to render discernible a person or object at a distance of 200 feet. However, the lights shall not project a glaring or dazzling light to persons approaching such motorcycles. In addition, each motorcycle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlights of a type approved by the Superintendent.

 

Motorcycles may be equipped with means of modulating the high beam of their headlights between high and low beam at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlights shall not be so modulated during periods when headlights would ordinarily be required to be lighted under § 46.2-1030.

 

Every motorcycle registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways of the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least one brake light of a type approved by the Superintendent. Motorcycles may be equipped with one or more auxiliary brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent may by regulation prescribe or limit the size, number, location, and configuration of such auxiliary brake lights.

 

Every motorcycle shall carry at the rear at least one or more red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Such tail lights shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any such tail lights or special white light shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.

 

 

§ 46.2-1013. Tail lights.

Every motor vehicle and every trailer or semitrailer being drawn at the end of one or more other vehicles shall carry at the rear two red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Such tail lights shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any such tail lights or special white light shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.

 

In any instance where the tail light is to be installed on a boat trailer and the boat extends beyond the end of the trailer or to the end of the trailer, an approved portable light assembly or assemblies may be attached to the exposed rear of the boat, provided such installation complies with the visibility requirements of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to motorcycles.

 

 

46.2-337. Examination and road test required for license to operate motorcycle; regulations.

No person shall drive any motorcycle on a highway in the Commonwealth unless he has passed a special examination, including written material and a road test, pertaining to his ability to drive a motorcycle with reasonable competence and with safety to other persons using the highways. The Department shall adopt regulations as may be necessary to provide for the special examination under § 46.2-325 of persons desiring to qualify to drive motorcycles in the Commonwealth and for the granting of licenses or permits suitably endorsed for qualified applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

MOTORIZED SCOOTERS (IN THE CATEGORY OF MOPEDS) CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ON THE ROADWAYS IF IT EXCEEDS 30 MPH OR THE PERSON IS NOT AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD AND MUST CARRY SOME FORM OF IDENTIFICATION WITH NAME, ADDRESS, AND DATE OF BIRTH, AS THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS STATE…

46.2-914. Limitations on operation of mopeds.

No moped shall be driven on any highway or public vehicular area (i) faster than 30 miles per hour or (ii) by any person under the age of 16.

 

Every person driving a moped shall carry with him some form of identification that includes his name, address, and date of birth.

 

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $50.

 

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