What Are the Michigan Laws for Mopeds, ORVs and Scooters?

When the weather warms up, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and off-road machines show up on Michigan roads and trails. They look similar. The license, insurance, helmet and registration rules do not.

This is an overview of those categories. If you or a loved one is injured in a crash, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue compensation.

WHAT IS A MOPED?

Under MCL 257.32b, a moped is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that:

• Has a motor of 100 cc or less piston displacement and cannot go faster than 30 mph on a level surface
• Has a power drive system that does not require the operator to shift gears

An electric bicycle is not a moped. If a machine exceeds any moped limit (speed, displacement or a required gear shift), Michigan generally treats it as a motorcycle.

WHAT ARE THE MICHIGAN LICENSING REQUIREMENTS?

Rules depend on the vehicle and the rider’s age.

A moped can be operated with a valid Michigan driver or chauffeur license. The Secretary of State also notes that a Graduated Driver License (GDL) Level 2 or 3 is enough; a Level 1 license needs a moped privilege added. If you do not have a driver license, you can apply for a moped license at 15. You must pass vision, knowledge and traffic-sign tests. A parent or guardian must sign if you are under 18. You cannot get a moped license if your driver license is suspended, revoked or denied. If you later get a full driver license, the moped license is surrendered.

ORVs and ATVs used on public land, designated trails and many forest roads need an ORV license (and a trail permit on designated ORV trails and scramble areas) from the Michigan DNR. That is not the same as an SOS plate.

DO MOPEDS, SCOOTERS AND ORVS HAVE TO BE REGISTERED?

Mopeds used on public roads must be registered with SOS. You get a three-year decal for the rear of the vehicle. Private-property-only mopeds do not need that registration.

ORVs are titled at SOS. DNR does not require SOS-style registration. You still need the DNR ORV license sticker (and a trail permit where required) before riding eligible public routes.

Electric bicycles that meet MCL 257.13e do not need SOS registration. A “scooter” is not its own legal class. If it meets the moped test, register it as a moped. If it is faster than 30 mph or otherwise fails that test, it is usually a motorcycle and needs a title, plate, insurance and a motorcycle endorsement.

DO I NEED A TITLE?

Michigan does not issue titles for mopeds. True e-bikes are not titled as motor vehicles.

ORVs and ATVs get an ORV certificate of title through SOS, generally within 15 days of purchase. That off-road title does not by itself authorize street use. Some side-by-sides can be converted and retitled for on-road use if they are equipped as the SOS requires. Details are on the SOS recreational vehicle pages.

WHAT ARE THE HELMET LAWS?

Wear a helmet on any of these machines. The legal minimums differ.

Motorcycles (MCL 257.658): operators and passengers under 21 must wear a crash helmet. Riders 21 or older may go without one only if they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits, and the operator has held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years or passed an approved motorcycle safety course. More detail is in our helmet-law post.

Mopeds: a rider younger than 19 must wear a crash helmet on a public thoroughfare.

ORVs: operators and passengers generally must wear a DOT-approved helmet and protective eyewear (MCL 324.81133), with limited exceptions (for example, some enclosed vehicles).

Scooters: follow the class they actually fit. Faster than 30 mph, treat it as a motorcycle. At or under 30 mph with no gear shift and 100 cc or less, treat it as a moped.

WHAT ARE THE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS?

A true moped is excluded from the Insurance Code’s “motorcycle” and “motor vehicle” definitions, so No-Fault / motorcycle liability security is not required. If the machine is modified or built so it no longer meets MCL 257.32b, it is a motorcycle. Then MCL 500.3103 requires residual liability that matches MCL 500.3009: you may not go below $50,000 / $100,000, and many policies default to $250,000 / $500,000. First-party medical on a motorcycle policy is offered in $5,000 increments; $20,000 is the helmet-exemption floor, not a substitute for liability coverage.

E-bikes and most ORVs do not carry auto No-Fault. Homeowners or renters coverage may help with theft or damage; it is not a substitute for liability if the machine is actually a motorcycle.

HOW DO MOPEDS DIFFER FROM MOTORCYCLES, ORVS AND SCOOTERS?

Fail any moped element and you are usually in motorcycle territory: endorsement, title, plate, insurance, helmet rules.

An ORV is a motor-driven recreation vehicle meant for natural terrain, including many ATVs and UTVs (MCL 324.81101). Street-licensed ORVs still need the extra DNR stickers on designated trails.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED ON A MOPED?

SOS’s moped certification list (Michigan Vehicle Code) includes:

• A headlight 24–54 inches from the ground that can light objects at least 100 feet ahead
• Brakes on both wheels
• A horn audible from at least 200 feet
• Tail light and brake light
• A muffler (not required on electric mopeds)
• A rear-view mirror
• A permanently mounted seat
• Handlebars no higher than 30 inches from the lowest point of the undepressed saddle to the highest point of the operator’s grip (MCL 257.661a; the old 15-inch cap was raised in 2018)

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE TO DRIVE A MOPED?

15, with a driver license or a moped license. Under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the moped-license application.

OTHER IMPORTANT MOPED RULES

• Mopeds may not be ridden on pedestrian sidewalks (MCL 257.660) or bicycle paths (MCL 750.419)
• Do not carry more people than the moped is designed and equipped for (MCL 257.658)
• No more than two mopeds abreast except on a path or roadway set aside for them
• Follow the same traffic signals and turning rules as other vehicles
• Lane splitting is illegal (MCL 257.660(5))
• Mopeds are not allowed on limited-access highways (MCL 257.679a)

IF YOU ARE INJURED IN A MOPED ACCIDENT, WE CAN HELP

Our lawyers handle moped and motorcycle crashes under Michigan’s overlapping vehicle and insurance rules. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Accident law is complicated, but finding the right moped or motorcycle injury attorney is simple.

Don’t let the legal clock run out. Fill out the brief form below or contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.