Hi everyone.
There's a reference in a song by MJ Lenderman to "DUI scooter." This was actually a thing in Indiana, where you could ride a low CC scooter without a drivers license since it's generally taken away after a DUI. MJ Lenderman is from North Carolina, so I assume it's also a thing there. Is this the case in any other states?
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I think in most states you can drive things under 50cc without a license
Varies by state, but several states do not require a license for scooters.
Kinda in Iowa. I forget the specifics but if it’s below a certain size (cc), then it’s legal to operate without a license. Electric assist bikes are also legal until they hit a certain size.
You can get a DUI on a scooter and on a horse
It would depend on the licensing required for scooters in that state. In many states you don’t need a DL to drive smaller scooters, so if your license is suspended you should be good driving a tiny crotch rocket.
Illegally fast ebikes that are effectively electric motorcycles seem to be the DUI vehicle of choice now.
This is generally the case, but it can vary by state.
People should be aware, though, that you can still get a DUII on a scooter. Or even a simple human powered bike.
According to the Indiana BMV, the law is similar to here in California. You can ride a 49cc scooter with a valid driver’s license, but you don’t need a motorcycle endorsement. Both states require a valid DL. If your license is suspended, because of DUI or otherwise, it’s not valid. No scooter for you.
I was getting gas at a gas station in rural Illinois and watched a dude on an electric scooter (one of the ones you stand on with the stick and handle bars) get pulled over for blowing a red light and arrested for riding it drunk.
Cop here:
DUI laws vary by state- they’re not country-wide.
In many states, you can get a DUI on almost anything.
Fun fact: horses are usually excluded.
I lived in the western mountains of North Carolina for many years and until sometime in the last decade or so the operation of low CC scooters was not regulated. Where I lived they were called liquorcycles, but I’m sure they were called DUI scooters in other parts of the state.
They have disappeared almost entirely due to the laws changing, now they must be registered, have a license plate, and I think a license to operate is required now but I’m not 100% sure on that.
We called them liquorcycles.
Under 50cc only requires a regular class c license in most states. Not having a class c license in any fashion would make it illegal to ride one on a public roadway. There are other stipulations such as not going on a roadway with a minimum speed limit posted since a 49cc can’t go that fast legally.
My friend got a DUI on a bike and mocked the judge and got contempt of court. Sued the city and a jury agreed that DUI on a bike sounds ridiculous. The city has told officers not to enforce it.
That’s what we call them too. In VA, you have to have a plate on your bike, but you don’t need a license.