Go to this web site for the California rules of the road for motorized bicycles.
Registration not required.
Motorized Vehicles
grandpa-too

Registration not required.
Motorized Vehicles
grandpa-too

Section 4020 is 1976 law/code, and has long since been upgraded. Alas the Calif DMV does not purge the old when the new is added. The codes/laws currently in effect are not clear and subject to interpertation by local law enforcement. Here in the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa area where I live The Newport PD pretty much leave you alone unless you are acting/riding stupidly. But across the street in Cosat Mesa the PD is cracking down on motorized bicycles and their riders giving tickets for registration/license violations, safty equipment violations (They are saying and ticketing for no headlight and tail light, no turn signals, no stop light no helmet, they claim DOT Motorcycle helmet required, also no insurance.) We can discuss all day long who is right and who is wrong on these matters but in this area Costa Mesa you will be very likely stoped and issued citations for any or all of the above. Then its up to you to prove your opinion in front of a judge. As for what you were told by the folks at the DMV I'd only accept it as true if they were willing to pay for any tickets you might get. I'm not sure where in Calif. you are or how your local law enforcement is handling these matters. I guess you will know soon enough if you continue to ride your bike. The link is to a pdf file of the cal vec code 2006 that pertains to motorized bicyclesEvery one has a right to his own opinion.
Three people at the local DMV confirmed when I ask the question ,"is registration required for a gasoline moterized Bicycle?" All three responded, "registration is not required."
Go to California Vehicle Code
V.C. Section 4020 - Motorized Bicycles
Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 1 >> Section 4020
Motorized Bicycles
4020. A motorized bicycle operated upon a highway is exempt from registration.
grandpa-too![]()
So, it sounds like at least in my town and possibly most of CA they are treating these vehicles like MoPeds, but not requiring reg or insurance. Not sure if this is right, but it will work for me...I already have my M1!Hey Ben, I had to research the new laws regarding them. Basically in CA, you need to have at least an M2, or an M1 license. You don't have to have reg or insurance. If you have a gas powered motor, it cannot be more than 2 gross brake horsepower, cannot exceed 30 mph, and need a DOT motorcycle helmet. If it is an electric motor, it cannot exceed 1000 watts, cannot exceed 20 mph, and you need a bicycle helmet.