Scooters, low-speed vehicles, and off-road vehicles
A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Small motorized vehicles like pocket bikes, low-speed electric cars and off-road machines are easy to miss. Know where they're allowed and how fast they can go, so you're not surprised when one appears.
Motorized scooter
A miniature motor vehicle. It's illegal on public roads or sidewalks, except on designated municipal or county property.
Motorized scooters must be registered in the owner's municipality or county and insured. No one under 12 (or the age set by the municipality or county) may operate one.
People with a mobility-related disability may operate certain motorized scooters on public streets posted 25 mph or less, and on streets posted over 25 up to 35 mph if the local government approves. The scooter's top speed can be no more than 15 mph.
A four-wheeled vehicle that can reach more than 20 mph but no more than 25 mph on pavement, isn't powered by gas or diesel, and meets federal safety standards.
Snowmobiles, ATVs and dirt bikes may not ride on public roads with other traffic, but may cross certain roads when safe. Operators must carry proof of insurance and display the vehicle's registration.
A small electric four-wheeler moves slowly along a residential street in front of you. It may be a low-speed vehicle that can't go faster than 25 mph. Give it room and pass only when it's legal and safe.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A motorized scooter is not permitted on public roads or sidewalks except in what circumstance?
On sidewalks, but not on roads
With a valid driver license
On designated municipal or county property
On roads posted 25 mph or less
Answer: On designated municipal or county property
Motorized scooters are illegal on public roads or sidewalks except on designated municipal or county property.
A person with a mobility-related disability may use certain motorized scooters on public streets. What is the most the scooter may be capable of going?
15 mph
25 mph
35 mph
20 mph
Answer: 15 mph
The motorized scooter may have a maximum speed capability of no more than 15 mph, though it may use streets posted up to 25 (or 35 with local approval).
