Registering Bike in NC

[breath_easy13]

The build is on the way, and what a ride its been so far. Cant wait to get it road worthy ! So After speaking to dmv theft and lost(which by the way were super helpful and friendly), before getting any paper work ill have to get the bike inspected by AAA or another mechanic shop. When speaking to AAA i was told as long as the biike has functional front and back breaks, head light, taillights, turn signals, and a horn and ZERO leaks on the bike, i should pass without any problems. Crazy enough too, the light system doesnt have to be wired via coil to the engine and battery, which i didnt want to have to do anyway. So im stoked about that. Now about the missing vin, since we my buddy in cali custom weld and reinforced the frame, we have none. So ill have to request a :home built vin" from the dmv.

Anyway, my question is, more so my concern - In NC to be considered a moped - North Carolina statute defines a moped has having “two or three wheels, no external shifter, with a motor not to exceed 50 cubic centimeters of piston displacement and up to 30 mph propulsion on a level surface."

-i would just need to register it, get insurance and im good to go.

But, obviously its a 212cc. So technically it would be a motorcycle. Which then of course, i would have to go jump through hoops to get my drivers license (would have to reinstate since a dui 7 years ago) fees associated would be a pain. Then apply for a motorcycle permit, classes, test, ect just a lot of bs work and fees i dont want to have to go through.

My question is, I could slap a 49 cc sticker on the engine, then some how take the ID sticker off the lower side of the engine by the oil sensor, and just say i purchased it from craigslist, cash, with no docs, and that its a 49 cc. This would safe me a ton of trouble. I see virtually no way they would say anything. what are they going to do, ask me to take the engine apart ?

What are your thoughts

 

[Alex Behan]

So I have a 48cc and I’ve done the same thing. When i looked it up all you need are DMV approved lights, tail light, break light and (maybe?) turn signals. Then you can go get it registered and insured. If im wrong please correct me! Have fun!

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

So I have a 48cc and I’ve done the same thing. When i looked it up all you need are DMV approved lights, tail light, break light and (maybe?) turn signals. Then you can go get it registered and insured. If im wrong please correct me! Have fun!

You'll also need mirrors, speedometer and a horn loud enough to be heard inside of a closed compartment vehicle.

You'll should get a brake light instead of a light with a break in it.

 

[Alex Behan]

You'll also need mirrors and a horn loud enough to be heard inside of a closed compartment vehicle.

Yeah, I’ve got those in my shopping cart on Amazon, i just need to buy it all. This is all of what I’m getting, let me know if it is what I need

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Yeah, I’ve got those in my shopping cart on Amazon, i just need to buy it all. This is all of what I’m getting, let me know if it is what I need

You'll need front and rear turn signals and they must be daylight visible when in use. The brake light must also be daylight visible when in use

 

[Alex Behan]

You'll need front and rear turn signals and they must be daylight visible when in use. The brake light must also be daylight visible when in use

Oh, I’ll get those then, and I’m sure the brake light will visible in the daylight. It’s a motorcycle light so I think it will be. And I was thinking about paring the front lights with the turn signal blinker with the front lights

 

[user54508]

Hold up a sec! I saw this started to laugh lol! North Carolina has the most Lax motorized bicycle laws in the whole country. With that said no cops really give a flying F%$k about a bicycle with a motor on it. There is no reason to register a motorized bicycle in North Carolina even 212cc Put a 109.99cc sticker on it and look other way if you feel the need to put 2 condoms on while you screw. no cop is really going to care as long as yur not acting a fool. Only law they require is if your under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Now I live just over the boarder of SC. You have to have 50cc or less, Top speed of 30mph, Must follow all rules of a bicycle on the road ways, you can't ride one of them on a sidewalk. In North Carolina You could be going 50mph with a 100cc motorized bicycle on sidewalk and they still don't give a crap 90% time lol But seriously where does everyone get these numbers for North Carolina. It seems like they take the South Carolina rules copy past it or something. But North Carolina LAW WISE when talking about Moped does not need to be insured or registered either up to 110cc. To be considered a Moped it would have to have an "automatic" Transmission. For what ever reason a manual shift moped is not considered a moped even under eyes law in NC it's considered a engine assisted bicycle still.

To answer your question though. Your bike would not be considered a Motorized bicycle or a Moped. One of the few laws NC has is can't Exceed 110cc or it's classified as a motorcycle and needs to be registered and insured by law. Is it ever enforced almost never. LOL you may be the 2% ends up caught by a cop having bad day who knows. If caught on a unregistered motorcycle You lose a drivers license for 2 years and have 0 to 4 weeks jail stay+ 0 to 11,000 max in fines that could be as a end result! Whit that said I been riding 212cc motorized bicycles 100's miles in nc over the years and as long as you don't act like a fool the cops you do run into will probably just ask WTF is that and where can I buy one?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Hold up a sec! I saw this started to laugh lol! North Carolina has the most Lax motorized bicycle laws in the whole country. With that said no cops really give a flying F%$k about a bicycle with a motor on it. There is no reason to register a motorized bicycle in North Carolina even 212cc Put a 109.99cc sticker on it and look other way if you feel the need to put 2 condoms on while you screw. no cop is really going to care as long as yur not acting a fool. Only law they require is if your under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Now I live just over the boarder of SC. You have to have 50cc or less, Top speed of 30mph, Must follow all rules of a bicycle on the road ways, you can't ride one of them on a sidewalk. In North Carolina You could be going 50mph with a 100cc motorized bicycle on sidewalk and they still don't give a crap 90% time lol But seriously where does everyone get these numbers for North Carolina. It seems like they take the South Carolina rules copy past it or something. But North Carolina LAW WISE when talking about Moped does not need to be insured or registered either up to 110cc. To be considered a Moped it would have to have an "automatic" Transmission. For what ever reason a manual shift moped is not considered a moped even under eyes law in NC it's considered a engine assisted bicycle still.

To answer your question though. Your bike would not be considered a Motorized bicycle or a Moped. One of the few laws NC has is can't Exceed 110cc or it's classified as a motorcycle and needs to be registered and insured by law. Is it ever enforced almost never. LOL you may be the 2% ends up caught by a cop having bad day who knows. If caught on a unregistered motorcycle You lose a drivers license for 2 years and have 0 to 4 weeks jail stay+ 0 to 11,000 max in fines that could be as a end result! Whit that said I been riding 212cc motorized bicycles 100's miles in nc over the years and as long as you don't act like a fool the cops you do run into will probably just ask WTF is that and where can I buy one?

Can you please post the statutes or at least a website you're getting this information from?

The website I went to does post the legal statutes as well as explaining NC moped and electric bicycle laws.

Now as to how strictly the laws are enforced that's another matter. However I tell anyone who isn't in compliance with the legal guidelines ride at your own risk. At anytime you could be pulled over and fined.

What’s the Latest on Mopeds? – North Carolina Criminal Law

Laws governing the operation of mopeds have changed significantly in recent years. Mopeds now must be registered before they may be driven on state

nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Here's what NC defines as a motor driven bicycle but you can't exceed 20 mph.

20-4.01(27)i

i. Motor-driven bicycle. - A vehicle with two or three wheels, a steering handle, one or two saddle seats, pedals, and a motor that cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on a level surface. This term shall not include an electric assisted bicycle as defined in subdivision (7a) of this section.

Here license, registration or insurance isn't required as long as you stay under 20 mph.

 

[user54508]

Here's what NC defines as a motor driven bicycle but you can't exceed 20 mph.

20-4.01(27)i

i. Motor-driven bicycle. - A vehicle with two or three wheels, a steering handle, one or two saddle seats, pedals, and a motor that cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on a level surface. This term shall not include an electric assisted bicycle as defined in subdivision (7a) of this section.

Here license, registration or insurance isn't required as long as you stay under 20 mph.

lol yeah off what bike berry webpage or some other online google search garbage? Look on the NC DMV.gov webpage! there is non of the above posted period on the official rules and guidelines for NC. I'm telling you this directly as a view of a Sheriff of Brunswick county of NC that is not what the written law states. don't care what they post online on random webpages.

Law states A moped is a "2" tire vehicle that has a displacement of 109.99cc or less with no more then a bench horse power of 9hp, with an automatic transmission. ("Other" Standard transmission, 1 speed transmission or no transmission is considered a power assisted vehicle.) A moped can be driven by anyone with a Dl, Ml or moped License in the state of NC.

There is no insurance req, no registration, No emissions testing required to own a Moped or drive it on roads 35mph or less.

In the state of Nc all drivers of these vehicles shall be liable for all damage ensued as a result of an accident at the expense of the individual regardless of insurance status.

all operators of motorized bicycle under the age of 18 are required to have a Moped License and wear a helmet at all times while in operation.

Those actual guidelines a cop in NC will see as they look up a motorized bicycle for laws to follow.

So unless you have a 110cc motor with some form of CVT making your build a motorcycle by law of NC. For example: 80cc -100cc mini bikes are not considered moped in NC. 3 speed foot shift moped is not by law considered a moped even though it is.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

I quoted the motor driven bicycle law from NC chapter 20 statutes which is the chapter on vehicles. You have as of yet to post any statutes or DMV sites where you're getting your information from

 

[Alex Behan]

Damn I didn’t mean to start a fight
Sorry about that guys

 

[Tony01]

Damn I didn’t mean to start a fight
Sorry about that guys

Not your fault. What happened is a loose cannon replied here. And you brought up an old thread. I can think of a number of other old threads way better than this one to bring back... like one of mine of course

in my area the same stuff is required. I build some stuff that gets me pulled over often and leads to unbelievable stories like talking or rather not talking/remaining silent, out of allegedly doing 75 in a 40 zone. Stuff like that. Been pulled over many times. Cops’ comments overwhelmingly, are “put a brake light” even on stuff like ebikes that need no motor vehicle equipment. A brake light and a mirror will do the job. You could argue hand signals and voice for all other items. There is no “kit” for this stuff and you will go nuts setting it up. A brake light just needs a resistor and a diode so the headlight doesn’t light up when you hit the brakes in the daytime.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Damn I didn’t mean to start a fight
Sorry about that guys

No fight here. Though when I first came on this forum many many years ago, I was advised that if you're going to discuss laws then list your source of information and the area in particular you're talking about.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Not your fault. What happened is a loose cannon replied here. And you brought up an old thread. I can think of a number of other old threads way better than this one to bring back... like one of mine of course

in my area the same stuff is required. I build some stuff that gets me pulled over often and leads to unbelievable stories like talking or rather not talking/remaining silent, out of allegedly doing 75 in a 40 zone. Stuff like that. Been pulled over many times. Cops’ comments overwhelmingly, are “put a brake light” even on stuff like ebikes that need no motor vehicle equipment. A brake light and a mirror will do the job. You could argue hand signals and voice for all other items. There is no “kit” for this stuff and you will go nuts setting it up. A brake light just needs a resistor and a diode so the headlight doesn’t light up when you hit the brakes in the daytime.

To be legal in NC the OP must not exceed 20 mph on level ground or meet moped requirements. A China girl build and stay under 20 you're legal in NC. No registration, no insurance and no license needed.

To meet moped requirements a certificate of origin is needed, registration is needed and insurance is needed. All vehicle operating equipment is needed but no driver's license is required.

 

[wrench]

Motor Bicycles follow the Moped laws in NC
2021 NCDMV Moped laws say that any moped that is under 50cc and goes under 30 mph must be registered and have insurance but ya don't need a title or a D/L
If the M/B or Moped is bigger than 50cc and goes faster than 30 mph it must be registered and follow the laws of a M/C.

But ya know what they say "It's only illegal if ya get caught"

 

[Alex Behan]

To be legal in NC the OP must not exceed 20 mph on level ground or meet moped requirements. A China girl build and stay under 20 you're legal in NC. No registration, no insurance and no license needed.

To meet moped requirements a certificate of origin is needed, registration is needed and insurance is needed. All vehicle operating equipment is needed but no driver's license is required.

Yeah, I understand but my entire family is in law enforcement so they are making me do it all by the law‍. That’s why I’m asking about it and how do I get one of those?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Yeah, I understand but my entire family is in law enforcement so they are making me do it all by the law‍. That’s why I’m asking about it and how do I get one of those?

You can show your family statute NC 20-4.01(27)i the law on a motor-driven bicycle. This statute doesn't limit cc size but does limit the speed one can travel on level ground. You can use a bicycle computer to stay under 20 mph. This is the cheapest route to go with the least amount of governmental bureaucracy. I would suggest obeying all traffic laws and carry a copy of NC 20-4.01(27)I with you just in case you're ever pulled over. By the way they do sell 49cc 2 stroke China girl kits.

If you wish to go faster than 20 mph but under 30 mph then you must meet moped requirements.

 

[Alex Behan]

You can show your family statute NC 20-4.01(27)i the law on a motor-driven bicycle. This statute doesn't limit cc size but does limit the speed one can travel on level ground. You can use a bicycle computer to stay under 20 mph. This is the cheapest route to go with the least amount of governmental bureaucracy. I would suggest obeying all traffic laws and carry a copy of NC 20-4.01(27)I with you just in case you're ever pulled over. By the way they do sell 49cc 2 stroke China girl kits.

If you wish to go faster than 20 mph but under 30 mph then you must meet moped requirements.

So I looked at the law and it said nothing about how to register it or what i need, do you know these facts?

 

[wrench]

Yeah, I understand but my entire family is in law enforcement so they are making me do it all by the law‍. That’s why I’m asking about it and how do I get one of those?

Your whole family is in law enforcement, so why don't you ask them for help in finding out how to register your M/B? Obviously your getting no where by yourself