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 their vehicles, but they do need a valid learner's permit or driver's license to operate one.
Scooters, which have an engine with a displacement of 50cc or more, are subject to the same rules and regulations as motorcycles, meaning drivers need a motorcycle license and insurance to operate one.
Georgia moped laws
Mopeds are classified by their engine size and cannot exceed 35 miles per hour without being subject to the laws that govern motorcyclists in Georgia.
Georgia law defines mopeds as two- or three- wheeled vehicles that are capable of producing a maximum of 2 horsepower, or an engine displacement of 50cc. Because of their lack of power relative to other motor vehicles, mopeds can't legally be operated on public roads where the speed limit is greater than 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. Additionally, all moped riders in the state must wear a helmet.
Below, we've tabulated how Georgia's moped laws compare with the state's scooter, electric scooter and e-bike regulations:
Vehicle type | License requirement | Insurance requirement | Where can you ride it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moped (49cc or less) | Learner's permit or driver's license | None | Roads with a minimum speed limit of 35 mph or less |
| Scooter (50cc or more) | Motorcycle license |
| No restrictions |
| 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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For legal purposes, Georgia doesn't differentiate between scooters and motorcycles. This means scooters that have engines over 50cc are simply subject to the same license, registration and insurance regulations as motorcycles.
Note that many scooters, such as those produced by Vespa, Honda and Yamaha, have 150cc engines — and are therefore considered motorcycles in Georgia. To legally operate these types of vehicles, you will 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 years old and pass a knowledge, road skills and vision exam. However, those who take a state-endorsed motorcycle-riding course 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 and therefore have different guidelines. Electric-kick scooter riders won't need a license, registration or insurance for their vehicles.
Electric scooters can be ridden on bike paths, bike lanes and on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. You can't use these on sidewalks, and riders who are 16 or younger will need to wear a helmet while operating them. E-scooter regulations can vary by city, so check with your local municipality before you ride to avoid fines and other penalties.
Engine powered bikes in Georgia
In general, motorized bikes that do not exceed certain power or engine size limits are subject to the same regulations as human-powered bicycles. They can be used on streets and on bike paths without a license or insurance. However, riders younger than 16 must wear a helmet.
Electric-powered bikes must have an electric motor of 1,000 watts or less and maximum speed of 20 mph. Additionally, they must also be equipped with pedals like a typical bicycle.
Combustion engine-powered bikes must be equipped with an engine smaller than 50cc. Any bicycle that has a larger engine will be classified as a moped.