What’s the difference between a motorcycle and a motor-driven cycle? Is a moped the same as scooter? Here you’ll find the answer to these questions along with registration and driver licensing requirements for using motor-powered cycles.
Did you know motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and ebikes have different rules on the road? Download the California Motorcycle Handbook to learn more!
Motorcycles
![Image of two examples of motorcycles 150cc or larger (one moped, one motorcycle).](/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Motorcycles-1.png)
A motorcycle has 2-3 wheels and an engine size larger than 150 cc.
Motorcycles with 3 wheels or a side car require only a Class C driver’s license. California Vehicle Code (CVC) §12804.9
Motor-Driven Cycles
![A green motor-driven cycle standing beside a blue motor-driven cycle](/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/mototcycle_1-2_under150cc.png)
- A motor-driven cycle has 2-3 wheels and an engine size smaller than 149 cc. CVC §405
- You must register a motor-driven cycle, and you must have a motorcycle license (M1) to drive one.
Mopeds
![A red moped sitting on a paved driveway](/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/moped3.png)
- Also known as a motorized bicycle, a moped has 2-3 wheels and an electric motor with an automatic transmission that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower.
- Some mopeds have pedals so you can ride them when the motor is off. CVC §406
- You must have a motorcycle license (M1 or M2) to drive a moped.
- You must be at least 16 years old or older to drive a moped, and you must wear a helmet while you ride.
- You do not need insurance to register a moped, but you do need special license plates and an identification card, along with a one-time $23 registration fee.
You do not have to renew your moped registration in the same way as you register other vehicles.
Scooters
![A blue electric scooter](/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/electricscooter.png)
![A red motorized scooter](/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/motorizedscooter.jpg)
- A motorized scooter has 2 wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it.CVC §407.5
- You can only drive motorized scooters on a bicycle path, trail, or bikeway, not on a sidewalk, and you cannot exceed a speed of 15 mph.
- You do not need to register motorized scooters.
- You can drive a motorized scooter with any class driver’s license.
Need something else?
Motorcyclist Driver Guide
Take a look at our special guide to motorcycle requirements and safety.
Motorcycle License Plates
Order a customized motorcycle license plate, get your vehicle identification number (VIN) plate, and more.
Register a Motorcycle
If you own a motorcycle, moped, scooter, or other motor-driven cycle, you need to register it with DMV.