Mopeds And Motor Scooters
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Effective October 1, 2012 mopeds and motor scooters are required to be titled and display a title decal. The operator/owner of the vehicle must carry proof of insurance while operating the vehicle. The operator and passenger must wear protective headgear that meets the standards under 49CFR§571.218 and the operator must wear an eye protective device if the vehicle is not equipped with a windscreen.
The operator of a moped or motor scooter must have a valid moped operator’s permit or a valid driver’s license of any class.
You may sign onto the MVA website and complete the 
Affidavit of Ownership Moped, Motor Scooter & Off Road Vehicle form. If you owned the vehicle prior to October 1, 2012 and title prior to October 1, 2013 there will be no title fee or excise taxes collected. The title and title decal will be mailed to you. The web process cannot be used if the vehicle is subject to a lien, there is a transfer of ownership, the vehicle owner does not have a MD driver’s license or the vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number (VIN). The transaction may also be processed by a dealer or tag and title service that is a participant of the Electronic Registration and Title program, for unusual circumstances, the transaction may be processed at any full service MVA.
Yes, MVA has requested that a 30 day grace period be given to allow moped and motor scooter owners enough time to title their vehicles and obtain the decal.
If you owned your vehicle prior to October 1, 2012 you can sign on to MVA’s website at www.mva.maryland.gov and process your transaction. You may also take your work to a dealer or tag and title service that is a participant of the Electronic Registration and Title program for processing. For transactions with unusual circumstances you can submit your paperwork to a full service MVA office to be processed.
If you owned your moped or motor scooter prior to October 1, 2012 and you title it prior to October 1, 2013, you will not be charged a title or excise tax fee. If you purchase your moped or motor scooter after October 1, 2012 you will be charged a $20.00 title fee and the excise tax will be based on the purchase price of your vehicle. The minimum excise tax is based on $320.00 ($19.20 excise tax). If you have paid Maryland sales tax and have proof of the payment, you will be exempt from the excise tax. Otherwise, 6% excise tax applies. The fee for the decal is $5.00 and the decal is to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle in a visible position. The decal is not transferable to another owner.
You may apply for a decal only via the MVA web site or through a participating Dealer or Tag and Title service.
Use the Application for Title Decal for Mopeds, Motor Scooters, ATV’s, Off Road Motorcycles and Snowmobiles (form VR-337) to apply for a replacement of a lost or mutilated decal. The form will need to be mailed to the MVA for processing, and there is a $5.00 fee for the replacement decal.
Definitions:
"Moped" means a bicycle that:
- Is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of a motor.
- Is equipped with pedals that mechanically drive the rear wheel or wheels;
- Has two or three wheels, of which one is more than 14 inches in diameter; and
- Has a motor rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less and, if the motor is an internal combustion engine, a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less.
"Motor Scooter" means a non-pedal vehicle that:
- Has a seat for the operator.
- Has 2 wheels, of which one is 10 inches or more in diameter;
- Has a step through chassis;
- Has a motor, (i) With a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less; or (ii) If the motor is an internal combustion engine, with a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less; and
- Is equipped with an automatic transmission. "Motor Scooter" does not include a vehicle that has been manufactured for off road use, including a motorcycle and all terrain vehicles.
Note: For special or unusual circumstances, the work can be processed at any full service MVA office.
Motor scooters that are built for road use and have greater horsepower and cc's may be titled and registered as a motorcycle. Note: A person may not operate a motorcycle that has a rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less or a capacity of less than 70 cubic centimeters piston displacement, on a roadway where the posted maximum speed is more than 50 miles per hour, or on an expressway or other controlled access highway.
Situations may very when purchasing a Motor Scooter or Moped. If you do not meet the above criteria or require assistance, please contact us. You will receive a response back within three (3) business days.
