How to Register Your Scooter

When you purchase a new scooter, it is important to fulfill all the necessary steps, as it is when you purchase any motorized vehicle. The problem is that there is no one, universal set of requirements to fulfill. Each state governs its own roads and motor vehicles, which means what is true in California may not be true in Utah and so on. The most obvious example of this is helmet laws, which vary from state to state, and can either be extremely firm or very lax. There are some generalities, though, that can work as guidelines.

If a scooter is street legal, it needs to be registered. That means if a scooter has a VIN. If it is one you bought from a dealership or has an engine larger than 49cc, it probably has a VIN and needs to be registered. Especially if the scooter has a powerful engine that can be taken safely on the highways. In order to do this, you need to contact your DMV and find out which requirements need to be met in your state. Generally, you just need to fill out your paperwork and submit it along with a fee. In some states, you may need to have it inspected. You might also need to have a motorcycle license in order to operate it legally. Most DMVs have all their forms available online now, and some states allow you to make appointments, which cuts down on your wait and on frustration.  You can get your scooter registered and legal in the space of an hour.

If you need to register your scooter and you don’t, there are consequences for that. In some states, scooters need to be insured, and you cannot get insurance unless you have a registration. You will be cited and fined quite heavily for not complying with the law, and if you were pulled over for another license infraction, the punishment will only be compounded. So while it may be tempting to play the odds and avoid the hassle and fees at the DMV, it is not a very smart move. Scooters should be treated like motorcycles in order to avoid costly legal punishments.

Related Information:

Yamaha Motor Scooters
The general steps and requirements for registering your motor scooter.

FAQs
What you need to know about registering your motor scooter.