Scooter Answers

Making the decision to hit the road on two wheels is a little more of an exercise, today, than it was when I began riding. Back in the dark ages, we got our hands on a machine any way we could, swung a leg over, and rode away. We were lucky to live through it. Bikes and scooters are smaller, less conspicuous among all the four-(and more)-wheeled traffic. And two-wheelers require more from you, physically and mentally, than lounging along in the car.

Today, conditions on the road are more dangerous than ever. There are more vehicles per square inch than ever before. And there are more driver distractions than ever, with cell phones, iPods, and DVD players. And, like I’ve said before, some of them really ARE out to kill you.

One part of complying with the motor vehicle regulations where you’ll be riding is not only a matter of “the letter of the law,” but just makes sense for your personal safety. Nearly anywhere you live and ride, you need an endorsement on your vehicle operator’s license that says you are qualified to operate a two-wheeled, engine-driven vehicle. Though it’s usually called a motorcycle operator’s license, scooters and mopeds fall under this category as well, with very few exceptions.

Before you start thinking you’re going to be one of the exceptions, check into the requirements set out by your state of residence. Here’s a link to a listing of these requirements.

Most scooters on the market in the U.S. today will require that you have a motorcycle operator’s license to operate them on public roads. For instance, in Kansas, where I live, scooters exempt from operator license requirements must: 1) be rated at less than 3.5 brake horsepower; 2) have an engine displacing less than 135cc; and 3) be incapable of exceeding 35 miles per hour. I would submit to you that a machine this small and slow has no business playing in traffic, anywhere.

Obtaining a motorcycle operator’s license will require you to demonstrate some sort of knowledge about the rules of the road, as well as proficiency in actually operating the machine you propose to ride. The means of doing this can vary from state to state, as well. Let me recommend an organized, competent way to go about this.

Since the late 1970s, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has been training riders to stay alive and healthy on the road. They offer training courses for beginners and experienced riders all over the country. In many cases you can ride either a scooter or a motorcycle through the course. In most states, proof of completing their training course relieves you of the requirement to take the riding skills test with the DMV. (You’ll still need to pass the written exam for your license). And you may qualify for a discount from your insurance company, as well.

ScooterGirl started out on a 50cc Buddy, which probably was legally exempt from special operator licensing under the terms I stated. But she wisely decided to attend the rider education course and learn whatever she could. As the Old Guy, who’s been riding since dirt was new, I already had the motorcycle license. But when I bought my current hot rod motorcycle, I signed up for the experienced rider course on the off chance that there was something new I could learn. (There was!)

Visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website to find a rider safety course near you at: http://www.msf-usa.org/

Riding the roads on two wheels is a lot of fun. That’s why we do it. If you survive, it’s also an exercise in continuing education. Go into it with all the advantages you can gather to yourself. I’ll leave you with this thought from Thomas Henry Huxley, the English scientist and philosopher:

“If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man (or woman) who has so much as to be out of danger?”