Starting July 1st, 2012, it will be mandatory to register and insure your scooter/moped AND wear a helmet while you operate it on public roadways. Nevada Assembly Bill 508 passed in May 2011, sealing the fate of all those who opted for the miserly, fuel sipping forms of transportation (100 mpg, plus or minus).
Sooo, all of you that bought the gas-saving vehicles (yes, vehicles per NRS 482.075) that thought you didn’t require registration (soon to be $33.00) or insurance (insurance companies are salivating over this, I’m sure) and didn’t need to wear a helmet, will now be required to get all that or be guilty of a misdemeanor.
I’m wondering what you will be getting for your $33.00. All those fees, taxes usually associated with a regular registration and I’m sure you will still not be able to take it on the freeways. You will be getting a license plate. Hmmm, wondering about that whole license plate light thing. Geez, I don’t think they are manufactured with a license plate bracket. Hey, Pep Boys…
I can only imagine the insurance companies trying to figure out the premiums. “Do you have an alarm system?”, “How about a premium stereo system?”, “Custom wheels?”, “Airbags?”, “How much medical do you want?”
On average, most pay less than $1,000.00 for a scooter/moped without “modifications”, so the costs should be minimal. But, if you are one of those that purchased the vehicle because of other previous driving indiscretions with four wheels or larger two wheel cycles, may have issues with getting a reasonable rate for insurance. Insurance company’s memory rivals that of elephants.
For years, there has been a “gray” area regarding scooters and mopeds.
Depending on whom you asked, you may have been advised that a scooter, which is the rounded, powered, two-wheeled conveyance of choice or the moped, which resembles a bicycle with a motor did or didn’t require registration or a helmet.
There was always some disagreement with the court system and Department of Motor Vehicles about the classification of these vehicles. Several judges would routinely throw out the citations issued to violators of the driver’s license statute requiring licenses for operating a motor vehicle (self-propelled vehicles) due to the 50cc restriction on the motors which were always listed as 49cc and not capable of speeds in excess of 30 mph. The basis of the dismissal was the interpretation that anything under 50cc didn’t qualify as a “vehicle”. Yet the law clearly defines a motor vehicle as self-propelled, with no limitations on motor size or type (e.g. electric).
The helmet thing I don’t have a problem with.
I’ve investigated several accident scenes where a helmet could’ve saved a life. Instead of having your head cracked open, you’d end up with a headache. Or missing a patch of hair (hey Hair Club) because your noggin skidded along the asphalt versus scuffing the paint off of your helmet. How about those facial piercings? They might as well be mini-asphalt anchors once you get nudged off your steed, doing wonders to moving your eyebrows to just below your chin.
Really? For less than $50.00, you could possibly save yourself a $700.00 ambulance ride, minimum $1,000.00 emergency/trauma room visit, and Lord knows what the doc is charging you to stitch you up and the subsequent doctor’s visits and therapy.
I do recommend anyone that rides any type of two wheeled conveyance to have, at least, a helmet and gloves. Minimum investment. Definitely worth it when you fall down.
And yes, you need a license to operate the thing. Any driver’s license will work and they do have a moped classification for a license.
So get ready. You have a year to prepare. Get your affairs in order. If you have driver’s license issues, get them fixed. A driver’s license violation can cost into the thousands, depending on the violation or if you’re involved in an accident (an enhancement, usually doubling the fine, whether you are at fault or not).
Make peace with your insurance company.
Find a reasonable helmet, not a plastic shell replica of a World War I helmet.
And find a license plate bracket for the back of your ride, probably with a built-in light. Law requires that the plate be firmly affixed to your vehicle, not tied on with strings or bent-up wire.
Oh, and a nice pair of glasses to keep the bugs/rocks/dust/debris/etc., etc. out of your eyes doesn’t hurt either.
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