• Maryland scooter laws are based on the power of the vehicle.scooter image by dead_account from Fotolia.com
  
  The word "scooter" covers a range of potential vehicles, all of which are subject to different laws and restrictions in Maryland. Maryland's laws address scooters, moped, motor scooters and motorcycles, and each class of vehicle has different laws associated with them. These Maryland laws are subject to change.
  
  

Mopeds and Motor Scooters

• Maryland makes a distinction between mopeds and motor scooters. According to the Code of Maryland, section 11-134.1, a moped is any bicycle that has a motor with 1.5 brake horsepower or less or an internal combustion engine of 50 cubic centimeters or less. A motor scooter, on the other hand, is any non-pedal operated two-wheeled vehicles that has a seat for the operator, a step-though chassis and a motor with 2.7 brake horsepower or less, or a 50-cubic-centimeter engine or less. As long as a scooter meets these requirements, it is not considered a motor vehicle under Maryland law.
  
  

Scooters

• Maryland also recognizes "scooters" as a separate vehicle. A scooter, according to the Code of Maryland section 11-154.1, is any two-wheeled vehicle that has handlebars and is designed to be stood upon by the operator. Such scooters are generally considered bicycles under Maryland law, and the operators do not have to get a license or permit, though they must comply with all state bicycle laws.
  
  

Operation

• No one is allowed to operate a moped unless the person has an operator's license, which requires that all applicants be at least 16 years old, pass a written exam and pay an examination fee. Anyone operating a moped, bicycle or motor scooter in a public area must comply with all traffic laws. Mopeds, bicycles and motor scooters are not permitted on any road where the posted speed limit is greater than 50 miles an hour.