Georgia Moped and Scooter Laws
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In Georgia, laws and regulations for mopeds, scooters and electric bicycles differ in regards to registration, insurance and licenses. Moped riders in Georgia do not have to register or insure these vehicles, but they do need a valid learner's permit or driver's license to operate one.
Scooters, which have an engine over 50cc, are subject to the same rules and regulations as motorcycles. This means drivers need a motorcycle license and insurance to operate one.
Georgia moped laws
Mopeds cannot legally be ridden on Georgia roadways with a minimum speed limit above 35 miles per hour.
Georgia law defines mopeds as two- or three- wheeled vehicles with an engine that does not exceed 50cc. Because of their relative lack of power, mopeds cannot legally be ridden on Georgia roadways with a minimum speed limit over 35 miles per hour.
To operate a moped in Georgia, you must be at least 15 years old and have a valid learner's permit or driver's license. Mopeds do not need to be registered with the state, nor do riders have to carry insurance. But they're restricted to roads where the minimum speed limit is 35 mph or less. All moped riders in the state must also wear a helmet.
Below is a comparison of Georgia's laws for mopeds, scooters, electric scooters and e-bikes:
Vehicle type | License requirement | Insurance requirement | Where can you ride it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scooter (Over 50cc) | Motorcycle license |
| No restrictions |
| Moped (50cc or less) | Learner's permit or driver's license | None | Roads with a minimum speed limit of 35 mph or less |
| Electric scooter | None | None | Bike paths, bike lanes and roads with a minimum speed limit of 35 mph or less |
| E-bike | None | None | Bike paths, bike lanes and roads with a minimum speed limit of 35 mph or less |
Georgia scooter laws
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Legally, Georgia doesn't differentiate between scooters and motorcycles. Scooters with an engine over 50cc have the same license, registration and insurance regulations as motorcycles.
This means scooters such as Vespas, Hondas and Yamahas with a 150cc engine are considered motorcycles in Georgia. To legally operate these, you need a motorcycle license, current registration and the following insurance coverage levels:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,00 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability insurance: $25,000 per accident
To get a Georgia motorcycle license, you must be at least 17 and pass a knowledge, road skills and vision exam. But if you take a state-endorsed motorcycle-riding course, you won't need to take the test.
Georgia electric scooter laws
Electric-kick scooters — such as the kind offered by Bird and Lime — are different from larger, gas-powered scooters, so they have different guidelines. You don't need a license, registration or insurance for an electric-kick scooter.
You can ride an electric-kick scooter on bike paths, in bike lanes and on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or less. You can't use them on sidewalks, and riders 16 or younger need to wear a helmet. Regulations can vary by city. So to avoid fines and other penalties, check with your local municipality before you ride.
Engine-powered bikes in Georgia
In general, motorized bikes that do not exceed power or engine size limits are regulated the same as human-powered bicycles. They can be used on streets and on bike paths without a license or insurance. But riders under 16 must wear a helmet.
Electric-powered bikes must have an electric motor of 1,000 watts or less and a maximum speed of 20 mph. They must also have pedals like a typical bicycle.
Combustion engine–powered bikes must be equipped with an engine smaller than 50cc. Any bicycle with a larger engine is classified as a moped.
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