Mopeds
What is a moped?
To qualify as a moped, a vehicle:
- Must have 2–3 wheels.
- Must have an electric or liquid fuel motor with a cylinder displacement of less than 50 cc, and no more than 2 brake horsepower.
- Can’t travel faster than 30 miles per hour.
- and
- Must meet all the federal standards for a motor-driven cycle.
Requirements
You don’t need a motorcycle endorsement or auto insurance to ride a moped. However, to legally operate a moped in Washington:
- You must have a valid driver license.
- You must register the moped and display a valid license plate.
- You and your passengers must wear USDOT-approved helmets.
- You must wear eye protection if your moped doesn’t have a windshield.
- You can’t ride the moped on a sidewalk, bicycle path, equestrian trail, hiking/recreational trail, or fully-controlled limited access highway.
Related laws
- RCW 46.04.304: Moped
- RCW 46.20.500: Special endorsement — Exceptions
- RCW 46.61.710: Mopeds, EPAMDs, electric-assisted bicycles, motorized foot scooters — General requirements and operation
- RCW 46.61.720: Mopeds — Safety standards
- RCW 46.37.523: Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles — Head lamps
- RCW 46.37.524: Motor-driven cycles — Head lamps
- RCW 46.37.525: Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles — Tail lamps, reflectors, and stop lamps
- RCW 46.37.527: Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles — Brake requirements
- RCW 46.37.539: Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles — Additional requirements and limitations
