PRESS RELEASE

RE: The Elyria Police Department is moving into the enforcement phase of the laws governing the operation of motor scooters.

Over the past months, many parents have purchased motor scooters for their children, believing them to be toys. Unfortunately, due to the scooters being motorized and having a seat, they are classified under Ohio law as motorcycles and their use is governed by the same licensing laws as motorcycles. Research through the legal division of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the City of Elyria's law department has confirmed the following:

1. If the motor scooter has a seat, it is considered a motorcycle under Ohio law. Anyone riding a motor scooter with a seat on it has to follow the laws governing motorcycles.

2. The operator of a such a motor scooter must possess a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement. This would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 16 and who does not have a motorcycle endorsement to operate a motor scooter.

3. The motor scooter has to have proper registration and licensing. However, the motor scooters that we have viewed so far do not have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or serial number to use to get a registration through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. As a result, a motor scooter equipped with a seat cannot get licensing without going to one of the Ohio State Highway Patrol salvage facilities and having a serial number assigned to the motor scooter. Without the proper registration and the operator in possession of a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement, the motor scooter cannot be ridden on the street, sidewalk, or private property open to the public in the State of Ohio.

As the owner of a motor scooter, you can have a serial number assigned to your motor scooter at one of the following locations:

1. The Ohio State Highway Patrol salvage facility at 8730 Lake Rd. Seville, Ohio. Contact Trooper Bright in person or call him at 1-330-769-5089.

2. The Ohio State Highway Patrol salvage facility at 12323 Broadway in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Contact Trooper McCune in person or by phone at 1-216-587-4305.

The Elyria Police Department advised the public 30 days ago that a grace period would be in effect so that people would become aware of this law. The 30 day informational period has passed and the Elyria Police Department will now be starting the enforcement phase on this law as it relates to the motor scooters being operated in our community.

I am asking parents to advise their children not to ride the motor scooter on the roadway, on the sidewalks, or on private property that is open to the public (i.e. parking lots, business driveways, etc.). Such operation of a motor scooter is a violation of law and the Elyria Police Department will be issuing citations. The parents of the children who are riding them on the roadway can also be cited for permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle. Hopefully, everyone will work with the police department and we can avoid any legal problems.

Michael Medders

Chief of Police

Elyria police Department

NOTE:

BMV Administrative Title Section:

1.614.752.7671 for VIN Replacement Letter

If the motor scooter is designed to be stood upon and does not have a seat, it is not considered a motorcycle under Ohio state law. Therefore, a motor scooter of that design does not require a driver's license or vehicle registration to operate.