Allen D. Biehler, P.E., Secretary, Department of Transportation
Motorized Scooters and Motor Scooters
Gasoline and electric motor scooters and motorized scooters have become hot items among children and teenagers. Motorized
scooters closely resemble a skateboard with handlebars. The rider stands on the platform, holds onto the handlebars and controls
the power of the engine with a hand control. A motor scooter resembles a small motorcycle or a mini-bike. Unfortunately many
individuals are spending their hard earned money to purchase motorized scooters just to find out that they cannot be operated on
Pennsylvania's roadways or sidewalks.
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code classifies both a motor scooter and a motorized scooter as a 'motor vehicle'. To be driven on
the highways and roadways of the Commonwealth, a motor vehicle must be registered, titled, inspected, insured and the driver
of a motor vehicle must possess a valid driver's license. However, most motor scooters and all motorized scooters lack required
equipment including some of the most basic safety features and cannot pass inspection as required for registration. Therefore, driving
these scooters on the roadways and highways of the Commonwealth is both unlawful and unsafe. It should be emphasized that it is also
against the law to drive a motor scooter or a motorized scooter on a sidewalk. Motorized scooters and motor scooters which are not registered,
inspected and insured may only be driven on private property.
