What Are The Laws In SC

Hi I will be moving this week to SC and need help in knowing what the laws are there for a 50cc scooter. Any help will be appreciated thanx

Welcome to the forum

If I remember right, scooters and mo-peds must be titled, registered and insured and you need a class M license. SC treats them just as a motorcycle

South Carolina DMV Guide - DMV.ORG - The Unofficial Guide to the SC DMV

South Carolina Moped Laws

SECTION 56-1-1710. Meaning of "moped".

For purposes of this article, "moped" means a cycle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power or without pedals and with a motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters which produces not to exceed two brake horsepower and which is not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty miles an hour on level ground. If an internal combustion engine is used, the moped must have a power drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

SECTION 56-1-1720. Licensing requirement; minimum age; violations and penalties.

Until January 1, 1987, no person under the age of twelve may operate a moped on the public highways and streets of this State. After December 31, 1986, to operate a moped on the public highways and streets of this State, a person must possess a valid driver's license issued under Article 1 of this chapter or a valid moped operator's license issued under this article, except that a person whose driver's license has been suspended for a period of six months or less is not required to obtain a moped operator's license or possess a valid driver's license during the period of suspension. From January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1987, the Department shall not issue a moped operator's license to any person who is less than thirteen years of age. After December 31, 1987, the Department shall not issue a moped operator's license to any person who is less than fourteen years of age.

Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of a first offense, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars and, upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.

The Department may not issue a beginner's permit or special restricted license as provided for in Sections 56-1-50 and 56-1-180 to any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of operating a moped on the public highways and roads of this State while under age, until that person is at least fifteen and one-half years of age.

SECTION 56-1-1730. Eligibility for, and suspension, revocation, or cancellation of, moped operator's license.

A person is eligible for a moped operator's license without regard to his eligibility for or the status of any other driver's license or permit. The department may suspend, revoke, or cancel a moped operator's license only for violations committed while operating a moped. A moped operator's license may be suspended, revoked, or canceled in the same manner and upon the same grounds for which any other motor vehicle operator's license or permit may be suspended, revoked, or canceled.

SECTION 56-1-1740. Examination of applicants for moped operator's license; fees; expiration and renewal of license.

The Department shall examine every applicant for a moped operator's license. The examination shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight and, as pertains to the operation of a moped, a test of his ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic and his knowledge of the traffic laws of this State. The Department may require further physical and mental examination as it considers necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a moped upon the highways, the further examination to be at the applicant's expense. The Department shall make provisions for giving an examination in the county where the applicant resides. The Department shall charge a fee of two dollars for each complete examination or reexamination required in this article.

The expiration and renewal of moped operator's licenses must be in accordance with Sections 56-1-210, 56-1-220, and 56-1-225.

SECTION 56-1-1750. Issuance of moped operator's license upon payment of fee; contents of license; validity and effect of license.

A photograph of the licensee is not required in accordance with Section 56-1-150.

SECTION 56-1-1760. Requirement that license be in immediate possession of operator of moped and that it be displayed upon demand of certain State officers.

Every licensee shall have his license in his immediate possession at all times when operating a moped and shall display it upon demand of any officer or agent of the department or any police officer of the State.

SECTION 56-1-1770. Application for moped operator's license.

Application for a moped operator's license must be in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Article 1, Chapter 1 of Title 56.

SECTION 56-1-1780. Applicability of Sections 56-1-100 and 56-1-230 to holders of moped operator's licenses. The provisions of Sections 56-1-100 and 56-1-230 apply to persons with moped operator's licenses.

SECTION 56-5-160. Bicycle. [SC ST SEC 56-5-160]

Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, is a "bicycle".

SECTION 56-5-165. Moped, defined. [SC ST SEC 56-5-165]

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-5-160, every cycle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power or without pedals and with a motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters which produces not to exceed two brake horsepower and which is not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty miles an hour on level ground is a moped. If an internal combustion engine is used, the moped must have a power drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

My understanding in South Carolina is that if your scooter is under 50cc you don't have to have a title and registration. If it doesnt have pedals, you have to get a moped tag from the DMV. you must be 14yrs or older to drive one. If you have a drivers liscense you can drive one. if you are 14 or older with no liscense, you have to get a moped liscense. If you go over 25mph on a bike or moped the police will pull you and give you a warning.
You are supposed to have a headlight and tail light with turn signals and rearview mirror but is not enforced uniformly. Also you are supposed to have a bell but not a whistle or siren on a bicycle or moped but is never enforced unless you use a siren.
Some people get the 80cc motors and run them on the bikes. They are not legal here but most cops can't tell the difference so it's not enforced unless you are brain damaged and tell them that it's an 80cc engine (which is really only about 67cc).