Selected Vehicle Characteristics, Requirements, and Restriction in Maryland Law
Motorcycles | Motor Scooters | Mopeds | Bicycles | Motorized Minibikes, Pocket Bikes, etc | |
Defined as Motor Vehicle? | Yes 11-135a | No 11-135b | No 11-135b | n/a | Yes 11-134.4 |
Defining Characteristics | Motive power, seat or saddle, no more than 3 wheels, designed for speeds > 35 mph, is a type that must comply w/ all m/c Fed Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 11-136 | Seat, step-thru chassis, 2 wheels 1 wheel = 10” = 2.7hp or = 50cc auto transmission Excludes off-road vehicles 11-134.5 | 2 or 3 wheels Pedals drive rear wheels, 1 wheel >14” = 1.5hp or = 50cc See Bicycle 11-134.1 | Designed to be human powered 2 or 3 wheels, rear drive 1 > 14” 11-104 | 2 or 3 wheels not a motor scooter, moped, or farm tractor 11-134.4 |
Titling Required? | Yes | Yes, Effective October 1, 2012 | Yes, Effective October 1, 2012 | No | No |
Registration Required? | Yes | Titling Decal Required to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle | Titling Decal Required to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle | No, but locals can 25-102a8 | No See locals permits 25-102a 15 |
Drv’s Lic Required? | Yes Class M | Drv License or Moped Oper Permit 16-101b | Drv License or Moped Oper Permit 16-101b | No | No |
Helmet Required? | Yes 21-1306b | Yes, Effective October 1, 2012 | Yes, Effective October 1, 2012 | If < 16 yrs Also Locals 21-1207.1 | No |
Passenger Allowed? | If designed, & has seat & foot rests, for passenger 21-1302 & 1305 | If designed, & has seat & foot rests, for pass 21-1203 | If designed, & has seat, for passngr 21-1203 | If designed, & has seat, for passenger 21-1203 | |
Liability Insurance Required | Yes | Yes, operator must provide proof of insurance upon stop | Yes, operator must provide proof of insurance upon stop | No | No |
Allowed on Public Roads? | Yes, except if =< 1.5hp or < 70cc prohibited from control access hwys & where SL > 50 mph 21-1303.1 | Not on expway, Not on roadway if SL > 50mph or a smooth shoulder or a bike lane, w/exceptions 21-1205.1 | Same as for Motor Scooters | Same as for Motor Scooters | No 13-401b |
Road Position Requirements | Same as other MVs | Far right w/exceptions 21-1205 | Far right w/exceptions 21-1205 | Far right w/exceptions 21-1205 | Not permitted on roadway |
Allowed on Sidewalks? | No 21-1103a | No 21-1103a | No 21-1103a | By local ordinance 21-1103b | No 21-1103a |
Allowed on Paths & Trails? | No 8-409e | No 8-409e | No 8-409h | Yes 8-409e | No 8-409i |
Vehicle Equipment | 21-1305 & Title 22 | 21-1207 | 21-1207 | 21-1207 | |
Other | Operator must sit astride the cycle 21-1302d | Max speed 30 mph 21-1205.1c |
From: http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/documents/police/VehicleRestrictions.pdf