convert moped license/registration required?

[ejonesss]

i was wondering if a an electric moped would required drivers license and registration.

my thoughts are to go to a junk yard and get an old moped that the engine is blown and replace the gas engine with cyclone electric motor if that would lighten the moped enough to drop it closer to the weight class of a bike.

maybe some of you are lawyers and would know if that would work and can simply apply the same wattage rules to it.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Yes. Well, it depends on the state. In Texas, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. If it started life as a DOT approved motor vehicle, it will remain one as long as it's on the road. So if you convert it to electric, it's still a registrable motor vehicle. it would be the same thing as putting a different motor in a car. it's still a car.

 

[Kent]

i was wondering if a an electric moped would required drivers license and registration.

my thoughts are to go to a junk yard and get an old moped that the engine is blown and replace the gas engine with cyclone electric motor if that would lighten the moped enough to drop it closer to the weight class of a bike.

maybe some of you are lawyers and would know if that would work and can simply apply the same wattage rules to it.

Every state is different. I don't think that weight class or power matter. If you want to get a license plate and be legal, when you fill out the form at the DMV they will ask on the registration form for type of motor-gas, diesel, electric. The fee may be based on that. If you try to register it having changed the propulsion system, they may require a safety inspection as well.

A motorcycle license isn't required for mopeds. A motorized cycle capable of over 30 mph is considered a motorcycle requiring a motorcycle operators license in many states.

But as you said, getting an existing moped with a recognized brand name makes it alot easier at the DMV than walking in with a converted bicycle with an unknown name and trying to get it registered as a moped. DMV has a "Blue Book" where they look up the current market value based on a list of established recognized brand names. Bicycles aren't on the list but mopeds are.

If you prefer not to get a plate and go legal, and stay low key as a bicycle, then remember that the common standard is 20-30 mph as being the speed range for registered mopeds also called Motor Driven Cycles. If you get caught doing those speeds on an unregistered,non-plated motorized cycle without insurance, you may be charged. Of course, that's only if the cop wants to be a real jerk or if your begging for his attention by your actions.

A lot of folks are concerned about it, thus the fake pedaling. But i don't recall anyone here reporting having been ticketed over it.

We should enjoy our bit of freedom while we still have it.

 

[Chalo]

Most US states have power and (assisted) speed limits that dictate whether or not an e-bike can legally be considered an electric bicycle. Of those, most adopt the US CPSC guidelines of 750W and assist speed of 20mph as maximums. Texas is unusual in that it has a weight limit and an assisted speed limit, but no explicit power limit. The 100 pound limit in Texas would make it hard for some moped conversions to qualify.

The safe bet is, if it started as a moped, it stays a moped unless you can demonstrate that it meets every requirement of an electric bicycle. And in that case, it would be wise to carry a copy of applicable laws and documentation that your bike meets the requirements.

Depending on where you are, it might be no big deal to register your bike as a moped. A few states only require one-time plates and no ongoing registration or insurance.

 

[ejonesss]

i mentioned junk yard witch in most states would mean there is no title since the title is sold to the junk yard.

would the lack of a title make it no longer register able?

also are most police officers dumb enough to not recognize a convert?

Yes. Well, it depends on the state. In Texas, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. If it started life as a DOT approved motor vehicle, it will remain one as long as it's on the road. So if you convert it to electric, it's still a registrable motor vehicle. it would be the same thing as putting a different motor in a car. it's still a car.

 

[amberwolf]

I think that the answers to most of what you are asking depends on your state's laws and sometimes on your local laws too.

You really need to just call, write, or go to your local DMV and ask them specifically what you can or cant' do with a junkyard vehicle. If they can point you to the specific sections of the MVC for you to read up on it would be even better. You may run into some that have no clue, but there should be someone there that DOES know.

There may even be some places where it is illegal to re-use the vehicle once it's been sold as scrap like that (pieces, yes, but the vehicle as a vehicle, regardless of motive power, may be considered unsafe).


As for officers recognizing/not any particular detail about a vehicle: THey prbalby don't have specific training on anything like that, so just like anyone else, they can only recognize what htey have personal experience with.

Most of the (non-police) people that see my CrazyBike2 that I hear comments from think it's either gas powered or they call it a motorcycle, or else they dont' even recognize that it is powerd at all. Depends on what context they see it in (traffic, parked, etc). Even those that recognize it as electric bicycle often don't realize the motors are in the wheel, and think that my big cargo boxes are for a bunch of car batteries. Again...depends on what they themselves have experienced--just like all people.

 

[Dauntless]

i mentioned junk yard witch in most states would mean there is no title since the title is sold to the junk yard.

Nope. It has already been issued a VIN number before it was ever registered that settled that matter. If you build a new frame it won't have a VIN but they'll create one.

also are most police officers dumb enough to not recognize a convert?

When dumb officers attack, they'll write tickets that are not enforceable. So you'll get a ticket for a nonexistent violation, or even a nonexistent law. Oh, the court will still take your money, but you won't have done anything wrong. The dumbness of an officer will almost always work against you, not for you.

 

[Chalo]

i mentioned junk yard witch in most states would mean there is no title since the title is sold to the junk yard.

would the lack of a title make it no longer register able?

You should be able to register it under what is called a "salvage title". It's a bigger hassle than a normal vehicle registration, but still routine.

 

[ejonesss]

i mean by dumb they have so much to do already that they probably dont go through basic electronics classes to learn now to test something and use ohms laws to find out the power.

heck in fact i am not sure if any officers would even know the basics to convert to electric.

i mentioned junk yard witch in most states would mean there is no title since the title is sold to the junk yard.

Nope. It has already been issued a VIN number before it was ever registered that settled that matter. If you build a new frame it won't have a VIN but they'll create one.

also are most police officers dumb enough to not recognize a convert?

When dumb officers attack, they'll write tickets that are not enforceable. So you'll get a ticket for a nonexistent violation, or even a nonexistent law. Oh, the court will still take your money, but you won't have done anything wrong. The dumbness of an officer will almost always work against you, not for you.