New MA Scooter Law Takes Effect Aug 1

[tlm004]

Well, yesterday I got my Met registered and got the LU plate. Not that big of a deal. I am actually happy to be able to insure my scooter.
They only thing I hate is they charged me for my title and I already paid that when I bought my scooter. They basically took my scooter info as if buying new, so I think that is why they charged me for the title again ($75). UGH! I might call them up and see if I can get it refunded back if I can prove I paid it in 2008.
Plus, with plate, you can only register it for a yr.
BUT, the up side of getting a plate beside the insurance, I can now register my scooter on-line in the future. No more waiting for 2 hours (like yesterday) at the RMV!
~Tara

[crackerman]

This new scooter law in MA is pretty much horseshit. I work in Harvard Square and every scooter I see just has a $40 registration sticker. Today I saw a Ruckus, a Vino125, a couple of Vespas, and a Buddy 125 and not one of them had a plate. All of these scooters are more than capable of going over 30mph. Really doesn't make sense to register. Need to pay a bunch of dough to Mass, get it inspected, insured, and a new title and because now that you obeying the new scooter law and got a plate, because of that plate you can't park on the sidewalk.

This state is a f-ing joke.

[tlm004]

The funny thing about the inspection, the RMV never mentioned anything to me about it and never gave me a temp to use until I get it inspected. So, it makes me wonder how much they care. Really, the workers at the RMV seemed very confused. the girl who helped me had NO IDEA what she was doing and kept having to ask others. You can tell not many people are actually registering there scooters as Limited Use vehicles. Still, I am glad I did. More money up front (for now until I prove I already paid for my title) but I can now ride 40 mph with out worry of being pulled over! Plus, I feel better having insured my scooter which my company would only do if it had a plate.
~Tara

[FLATOUT50]

This state is a f-ing joke.

Show up on Nov. 2 and vote!

[crackerman]

I hear ya Tara.

I got pulled over 3 times in less then 24 hours last week. 2 of the 3 cops were cool and when I explained it was a scooter and didn't need any paperwork, just the $40 registration sticker they let me go on my way. My scooter at 1/2 turn on the throttle cruses at 35mph, so I think I'll get a plate just to avoid getting pulled over.

[tlm004]

I hear ya Tara.

I got pulled over 3 times in less then 24 hours last week. 2 of the 3 cops were cool and when I explained it was a scooter and didn't need any paperwork, just the $40 registration sticker they let me go on my way. My scooter at 1/2 turn on the throttle cruses at 35mph, so I think I'll get a plate just to avoid getting pulled over.

Just be ready for most of the RMV people to seem a bit clueless as to what to do. There was only 1 woman who seemed to know what to do when I went. Just be sure you state you are there to get a Limited Use plate. It helps the process a bit b/c they give you moped paperwork when you say you are there to register your scooter.
~Tara

[Gonzo]

the rmv and my insurance company knew nothing about this new law. after several days of confusing them, my scooter is now registered as a motorcycle because they wont insure anything under 50cc. since the certificate of origin didn't say how many cc's it has, they fudged it and said my met is 50cc and not 49cc's. so i couldn't get a luv plate with insurance and legally i can't have just the sticker anymore and since its a motorcycle plate my friends need a motorcycle license if they want to use it. such a poorly written law that no one is trying to understand. i wanted to get insurance but how can they force people to insure a luv when the insurance companies refuse to insure one? such a headache which makes me just want to sell the met and get an actual motorcycle.

[FLATOUT50]

"...which makes me just want to sell the met and get an actual motorcycle."

Mods note this is an economic, not political rant. This statement clearly illustrates how taxation can ruin market demand. Now take a picture of the engine case with the 49cc marking on it. Right to your Governor and legislators, attach the picture, tune them up and remind them that you vote. Get your Met riding friends to do the same.

Good Luck!

[papa]

Same laws are in Illinois also, my little town, I park any where, and the closest town, about 14 miles away, but most of the towns are small enough you don't have to worry to much.

[dexter]

In British Columbia, Canada, scooters with internal combustion engines must have motorcycle plates and provincial registration/insurance.

Most notably, if your scooter is under 50cc and restricted to 60kph (~40 mph), then you don't require a class 6 (motorcycle) driver's license, you can drive them with your class 5 automobile license. So I can drive my Jazz (Metro) with my car license.

As for street parking, as long as there is money in the parking meter the meter maids don't care. So you can piggyback with another car in the spot (if there is room) or park multiple scooters or motorcycles in the same spot. In downtown Vancouver there are a few dedicated motorcylce parking spots on the streets but with these each vehicle needs to have its own meter.

I never use private lots, but I expect they charge per vehicle the same as cars. I have parked on sidewalks if it's discrete enough and not in anyone's way - but I believe it is illegal to do so.

[tortoise]

Article . . Mass. Registry of Vehicles going after scooter scofflaws

[tvon]

I've been riding my Met in Boston/Cambridge for the past 5 years. My met barely gets to 35 (usually only on downhills or long straightaways) but for the most part im under 30 the whole time. I try not to piss anyone off since it seems everyones out to end ruin our fun. I think if everyone didnt abuse it (150cc on a moped sticker? c'mon thats just careless) we'd be fine. Plus lobbying the state for some laws that make sense would help too. I just wish the Globe would stop mudding in our business just for a flashy shock article. (they removed my scathing review of their tabloid piece)

Everyone with the new "LU" plates. do you park on the sidewalk still or do you take a whole parking space? I'm considering that route since my parking situation recently changed.

My problem is after years of parking in Cambridge, I have a new job in the medical area in Boston. I started parking next to the med schools bike rack (theres one literally in front of the police station on longwood) but i quickly got tagged by Med school security and they gave me all sorts of shit for having it on campus. I guess they are "banned" since they are a "safety hazard" (whatever that means). Now im just literally on the street. So now im worried about its very visable new location. LU would allow me insurance but if i'd lose the sidewalk parking.. that would be bad.

[nuttmeg]

what I am confused about is... if your scoot was not insured before this and you got in a accident without insurance and you were at fault and you hit a insured car, who is at fault? who pays? for this reason I am confused I guess since I would not be caught dead out on the roads without insurance on any of my vehicles..... (not wanting to make people angry with these questions, please be gentle)