Michigan - As far as I can tell
I posted this on another thread called "Laws by state" by mistake.
The State of Michigan's DMV says my MB is classified as a moped in this state. A moped is defined by the State of Michigan as a unit that meets all of the following:
A - The engine does not exceed 50 cc's piston displacement
B - The engine is rated at 2.0 Hp or less
C - The power drive system does not require the operator to shift gears and
D - The top speed is 30 miles per hour or less on a level surface
Michigan requires mopeds to be registered upon purchase and then again every 3 years unless they are used on private property only.
A decal is provided that is to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. (This sticker is vertically long and horizontally narrow, so a rear fender, or some sort of way of mounting the sticker is needed. It must be visible to law enforcement.)
That said, the first thing I was missing were OWNERSHIP papers to go with my MB. Once I explained that I'd put the engine on myself, they gave me the paperwork I'll need to get a VIN assigned to my bike. I can't register it, they explain..without a VIN, and they can't issue me a VIN until it's been deemed road worthy.
So starting from a bike and a motor..this is what the DMV says I need to do to get my MB registered and legal on public roads in Michigan:
==-------------------------------------------------------------------==
1. Equip it with the following:
a) Front and rear brakes capable of stopping the vehicle safely CHECK
b) A horn capable of being heard from 200 feet away
c) A rear view mirror (some sources say left side mirror, some say rear view mirror. Left side should cover both bases.)
d) A headlight mounted 24 to 54 inches from ground height powerful enough to illuminate objects 100 feet away
e) A tail light
f) A brake light is
g) A muffler The inspection sheet (more on that in a second) check box says: [] Exhaust system (good working order, no excessive noise or annoying smoke) So I packed my muffler tube with fiberglass screen til I pass inspection just to be safe. CHECK
h) A permanently mounted seat (Apparently my butt doesn't count since the seat has to be permanently mounted to the moped and not the rider.) CHECK
i ) Handlebars which are no higher than 15 inches from the lowest point of the seat to the highest point of the hand grips CHECK
* The items marked CHECK should be on your MB already.
==-------------------------------------------------------------------==
2. Take the vehicle to be inspected by the local police.
The DMV provided me with a green form that has a checklist. They also provided me with a separate piece of paper that has the specific equipment list for mopeds. This is important, because the inspection checklist does NOT have a section for mopeds, so the officer will have to use the motorcycle section. That section lists extra equipment that is NOT required on mopeds. Make sure you make that obvious to the officer. I highlighted only the required moped equipment on the motorcycle checklist with a highlighter so the cop wouldn't be asking me for DOT tires and license plate light. Also there is no VIN, so make sure the officer is aware of the fact that the inspection is for the purpose of issuing a VIN.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
3. Return the signed inspection sheet to the DMV and apply for a VIN.
Apparently, this is the part that takes the most time. 3 - 5 weeks is what I was told because it has to be done manually. I have no idea what that means, but I'll take their word for it.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
4. Once the MB has a VIN, it can be registered and legally ridden by a licensed driver (no motorcycle endorsement required.)
There is a special moped license for people who have no license. The special moped license is NOT available if your license is suspended or revoked.
You will receive a large sticker that is to be displayed on the back of your MB. It will expire April 30 of the year displayed on the sticker.
No insurance is required.
No helmet is required for riders over the age of 19.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
So far I'm still equipping the bike out. I only just got her 4 days ago. Just need to build a decent brake light system and buy a mirror and I should be good to go. I did manage to get all of these forms and information from the DMV. They weren't REAL familiar withthe process, but they were reasonably friendly about it.
I'll let everyone know how my journey through the red tape goes.
daf
I posted this on another thread called "Laws by state" by mistake.
The State of Michigan's DMV says my MB is classified as a moped in this state. A moped is defined by the State of Michigan as a unit that meets all of the following:
A - The engine does not exceed 50 cc's piston displacement
B - The engine is rated at 2.0 Hp or less
C - The power drive system does not require the operator to shift gears and
D - The top speed is 30 miles per hour or less on a level surface
Michigan requires mopeds to be registered upon purchase and then again every 3 years unless they are used on private property only.
A decal is provided that is to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. (This sticker is vertically long and horizontally narrow, so a rear fender, or some sort of way of mounting the sticker is needed. It must be visible to law enforcement.)
That said, the first thing I was missing were OWNERSHIP papers to go with my MB. Once I explained that I'd put the engine on myself, they gave me the paperwork I'll need to get a VIN assigned to my bike. I can't register it, they explain..without a VIN, and they can't issue me a VIN until it's been deemed road worthy.
So starting from a bike and a motor..this is what the DMV says I need to do to get my MB registered and legal on public roads in Michigan:
==-------------------------------------------------------------------==
1. Equip it with the following:
a) Front and rear brakes capable of stopping the vehicle safely CHECK
b) A horn capable of being heard from 200 feet away
c) A rear view mirror (some sources say left side mirror, some say rear view mirror. Left side should cover both bases.)
d) A headlight mounted 24 to 54 inches from ground height powerful enough to illuminate objects 100 feet away
e) A tail light
f) A brake light is
g) A muffler The inspection sheet (more on that in a second) check box says: [] Exhaust system (good working order, no excessive noise or annoying smoke) So I packed my muffler tube with fiberglass screen til I pass inspection just to be safe. CHECK
h) A permanently mounted seat (Apparently my butt doesn't count since the seat has to be permanently mounted to the moped and not the rider.) CHECK
i ) Handlebars which are no higher than 15 inches from the lowest point of the seat to the highest point of the hand grips CHECK
* The items marked CHECK should be on your MB already.
==-------------------------------------------------------------------==
2. Take the vehicle to be inspected by the local police.
The DMV provided me with a green form that has a checklist. They also provided me with a separate piece of paper that has the specific equipment list for mopeds. This is important, because the inspection checklist does NOT have a section for mopeds, so the officer will have to use the motorcycle section. That section lists extra equipment that is NOT required on mopeds. Make sure you make that obvious to the officer. I highlighted only the required moped equipment on the motorcycle checklist with a highlighter so the cop wouldn't be asking me for DOT tires and license plate light. Also there is no VIN, so make sure the officer is aware of the fact that the inspection is for the purpose of issuing a VIN.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
3. Return the signed inspection sheet to the DMV and apply for a VIN.
Apparently, this is the part that takes the most time. 3 - 5 weeks is what I was told because it has to be done manually. I have no idea what that means, but I'll take their word for it.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
4. Once the MB has a VIN, it can be registered and legally ridden by a licensed driver (no motorcycle endorsement required.)
There is a special moped license for people who have no license. The special moped license is NOT available if your license is suspended or revoked.
You will receive a large sticker that is to be displayed on the back of your MB. It will expire April 30 of the year displayed on the sticker.
No insurance is required.
No helmet is required for riders over the age of 19.
==------------------------------------------------------------------==
So far I'm still equipping the bike out. I only just got her 4 days ago. Just need to build a decent brake light system and buy a mirror and I should be good to go. I did manage to get all of these forms and information from the DMV. They weren't REAL familiar withthe process, but they were reasonably friendly about it.
I'll let everyone know how my journey through the red tape goes.
daf
