Driving motorized scooters?
On April 16, 2001, the Attorney General for the State of Florida rendered opinions (AGO 93-45 and AGO 86-98) which have categorized motorized scooters and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) as “motor vehicles.” Accordingly, as with any motor vehicle, an operator of a motorized scooter and ATV must comply with all state statutes governing the operation of motor vehicles on public highways and are subject to the provisions of Chapter 316, Florida Statutes. Furthermore, drivers and operators of motorized scooters and ATVs must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Section 322.03(1), Fla. Stat. (1999). UPDATE! (June 2003) – The Florida Legislature has declassified motorized scooters, also known as mo-peds, as motor vehicles under Chapter 316, Florida Statutes. Accordingly, the provisions of that chapter requiring vehicle registration and various safety equipment no longer apply. However, the definition of a motor vehicle contained in F.S. 322.01(26), which relates to driver’s licenses, has not
