Re: FL Gas MB Registration NOT Required as of 04/20/2011
All,
** This is the final word direct from the Executive Director at the Florida HSMV (DMV)...
Emails over a weeks time have gotten these answers...
Good Afternoon,
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I will address your latest concerns . . . in red, below.
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You stated . . .
Ms. Adams,
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I am confused . . .
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On one hand you state that adding a gas powered motor does not make a bike street legal, but in the next paragraph, you state that Florida Statutes permit a person to operate a bicycle that cannot propel faster than 20mph, without a DL.
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Response: *Ms. Adams/Ms. Lambert stated:
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“Bicycles are not manufactured for use on highways. *Adding a gas powered motor does not make a bicycle street legal, as there are other requirements that must be met, such as frame assembly and safety features. *Bicycles are not titled or registered.
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Florida Statutes permits a person to operate a bicycle that cannot propel faster than 20 miles per hour, without a regular Class E driver license.”
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To elaborate, Florida Statutes permits a person, if at least 16 years old, to operate a bicycle with an electric helper-motor (not gas powered because gas powered bicycles are not street legal and cannot be ridden on the streets) not capable of propelling the bicycle faster than 20 mph on level ground (322.03(1), 322.01(26) and 316.003(2), Florida Statutes).
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Can you see where I’m confused?
A gas powered motor (incapable of greater than 20mph) does not make it street legal, but the statutes say an electric bicycle with the same stipulations does make it street legal.
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Response: *Again, gas powered bicycles are not street legal and are therefore, not legally allowed on the roads/streets.
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As you can see, there seems to be confusion when asking specifically about gas powered motors on bicycles.
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The assumption I have is that if you add a gas powered motor to a bicycle, it’s not street legal, but if you add an electric motor, it is. *(According to 316.003(2))
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Response: *Yes.
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I have asked specific questions and as of yet, no one has been able to give me specific answers . . .
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If you can, please provide specific answers to each of the below questions . . . .
The following questions are still unclear . . .
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1. * * * What size gas powered engine is allowed on a bicycle.
Answer: *None, legally.
1a. *If a bicycle has a 49cc engine, is there a Class E drivers license required?
Answer: *Gas powered bicycles are not legally allowed on the road.
2. * * * Is there any situation that would allow the use of a gas powered engine on a bicycle without the need for a Class E DL?
Answer: *See answer to 1a, above.
3. * * * If a bicycle with an electric helper motor that allows it to be capable of greater than 20mph need a Class E drivers license?
Answer: *Yes.
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If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at 850.617.2528, or the FRTP Program Manager, Kip Bickford, at 863.419.3420 (ext. 2).
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BE SAFE, HAVE FUN – ENJOY THE RIDE!!
FLORIDA RIDER TRAINING PROGRAM
Bureau of Motorist Compliance
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Room A201, Mail Station #88
Tallahassee, Florida *32399
(850) 617-2528
Fax. 850-617-5172
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles - Florida Rider Training Program
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The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is committed to Service, Integrity, Courtesy, Professionalism, Innovation and Excellence in all we do. Please let us know how we are doing via our online customer service survey at
Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
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After it's all said and done...
You can NOT legally register a bicycle with a gas motor attached of ANY size, NOR may you ride it (under motor power) on public roads.
(This is, of course, unless you've already had it registered as a homemade moped, then I would guess you would be grandfathered in.)
For those already grandfathered in, you need a Class E driver's license to operate your moped on public roads.