House Research Department

Updated: October 2008

Low-Power Vehicles

Page 4

Electric-Assisted

Motorized Foot

Certain Electric

Bicycle

Scooter

Vehicles

Segway

Electric motor, two

NEV: electric

Handlebars, motor,

Saddle, pedals, two

Key

nontandem wheels,

motor, four wheels,

max. 12-inch

to three wheels,

Characteristics

designed for one

top speed of 20-25

wheels, top speed of

max. 1,000-watt

person, top speed

m.p.h.

15 m.p.h.

electric motor, top

of 15 m.p.h.

MSEV: electric

speed of 20 m.p.h.

motor, misc. items,

top speed of 35

m.p.h.

Registration and

None

Title, registration,

None

Registration

license plate

and license plate

Driver's license or

None; minimum

Driver's license or

None

Licensing

permit

operator age is 12

permit

None

None

None

Liability and

Insurance

personal injury

coverage (same as

passenger autos)

Generally same

Generally same

Generally same

Generally same

Operation rules

traffic laws as

traffic laws as other

traffic laws as

traffic laws as

pedestrians; can be

motor vehicles; no

bicycles; no

motorcycles and

operated on bike

operation on roads

operation on

motor vehicles; can

paths

with speed limit

sidewalks; can be

be operated on

above 35

operated on certain

certain bike paths

bike paths and trails

Helmet if under 18;  Must meet federal

Reflectors required

Helmet; headlight

Safety

equipment

headlight and

must be on at all

equipment

reflector required for requirements

times; taillight

night

required for night