Do Mopeds, E-Bikes, and Scooters Need to Be Registered, Insured, or Licensed in Massachusetts?
By Christopher Murphy, Esq., Managing Partner at Scalli Murphy Law | Updated November 2026
Short answer: In Massachusetts, a moped must be registered with the RMV, and the rider needs a driver’s license or learner’s permit, but no law requires moped insurance. A motorized scooter needs no registration, but the rider needs a license or permit. A Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike needs no registration, license, or insurance at all.
A 28 mph “Class 3” e-bike or an e-moto does not fit the Massachusetts e-bike definition and can be treated as a motorcycle. The chart below covers each vehicle, with detail after it.
Registration, License, and Insurance Rules at a Glance
| Vehicle | Registration | License or permit | Minimum age | Insurance required | Helmet | Where it can go |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike (750 watts or less, 20 mph assist) | Not required | Not required | Law does not say | Not required | Required for riders 16 and younger | Same roads as bicycles; never sidewalks; bike paths unless a town or agency restricts them |
| “Class 3” e-bike, over 750 watts, or e-moto | Not a recognized category; can be treated as a motorcycle | Not a recognized category | Not addressed | Not a recognized category | Not addressed | Some cannot legally be ridden on Massachusetts roads at all |
| Moped (motorized bicycle) | Required; $40 for two years | Driver’s license or learner’s permit | 16 | Not required by law | Required for operator and passenger | Public ways (not posted limited-access highways) and adjacent bike lanes, max 25 mph; not off-street recreational bike paths |
| Motorized scooter | Not required by statute | Driver’s license or learner’s permit | 16 (per RMV) | Not required by law | Required, all ages | Public ways, max 20 mph, daylight only; not on limited-access or express highways posted against scooters or bicycles |
| Electric unicycle, one-wheel, hoverboard | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed |
| Low-speed vehicle (4 wheels, 20 to 25 mph) | Required, plus title and annual inspection | Driver’s license | 16 | Required | Not addressed | Roads posted 30 mph or less; may cross 30 to 45 mph roads at controlled intersections |
| Limited-use vehicle (30 to 40 mph capable) | Registrar may register | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not over 40 mph; not on roads posted above 40 mph |
| Motorcycle | Required | Motorcycle license | Not addressed | Required | Required for operator and passenger | Public roads |
“Not addressed” means the statutes and RMV guidance summarized here do not cover it.
Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes
Massachusetts defines an electric bicycle in M.G.L. c. 90, § 1 as a bicycle or tricycle with “fully operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less” that meets the Class 1 or Class 2 standard. A Class 1 motor helps only while you pedal and cuts out at 20 mph. A Class 2 motor can move the bike without pedaling but cannot assist past 20 mph.
The same statute excludes e-bikes from the “motor vehicle” definition. Massachusetts law does not require e-bike registration, insurance, or a license.
Under M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B3/4, an e-bike rider has the same rights and duties as a bicyclist, with one big exception: e-bikes “shall not be ridden or operated on sidewalks.” Towns and state agencies can restrict e-bikes on bike paths after a public hearing.
The helmet rule comes from the bicycle law, M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B: anyone 16 or younger riding or being carried as a passenger must wear one. For the rest of the e-bike rules, see our guide to Massachusetts e-bike laws.
“Class 3” E-Bikes, Over-750-Watt Bikes, and E-Motos
Massachusetts law has no Class 3. A bike that assists to 28 mph, or a motor over 750 watts, does not meet the state’s e-bike definition. MassDOT’s Safe Routes flyer puts it plainly: “Class 3 e-bikes and ‘e-motos’ are not currently recognized categories of devices in Massachusetts.”
That does not make them unregulated. The motorcycle definition in c. 90, § 1 covers “any bicycle with a motor or driving wheel attached,” except a motorized bicycle. So a motorized bike that fails both the e-bike and the moped definitions can be treated as a motorcycle. The RMV goes further: a two- or three-wheeler that goes over 30 mph and is not certified by its manufacturer as a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle with NHTSA “cannot be registered as a moped or a limited use vehicle and cannot be legally operated on the roads of the Massachusetts.”
In doubtful cases, the registrar decides whether a particular vehicle is a motor vehicle.
Mopeds (Motorized Bicycles)
The law calls a moped a “motorized bicycle”: a bicycle with a helper motor, or a non-pedal bicycle with a motor, of no more than 50 cubic centimeters, with an automatic transmission, and a top speed of no more than 30 mph. E-bikes are excluded from that definition.
Registration
The RMV says: “Motorized bicycles/mopeds must be registered but do not require titles.” Registration costs $40 for two years. You receive a license plate and an expiration decal, and moped registrations now expire on March 31. A dealer selling a moped must attach the plate and sticker under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1D.
License and operating rules
Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1B, you must be at least 16, you cannot ride faster than 25 mph, and you need a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. A permit holder riding a moped does not need an accompanying licensed operator, under M.G.L. c. 90, § 8B. We cover the license process in detail in our Massachusetts moped license guide.
Mopeds may use bike lanes next to the road, but they are barred from off-street recreational bike paths. The operator and any passenger must wear protective headgear, and the RMV says it must meet FMVSS 218, the motorcycle helmet standard. A passenger is allowed only if the passenger also wears protective headgear.
Insurance
No Massachusetts statute requires moped insurance, and the RMV moped page lists no insurance requirement.
The restrictor plate rule
If a moped’s restrictor plate is removed, the RMV says it “will be re-classified as a motorcycle” and must be registered, titled, and insured as one.
Motorized Scooters
A “motorized scooter” is a two-wheeled tandem or three-wheeled device with handlebars, designed to be stood or sat on, with an electric or gas motor. Motorcycles, e-bikes, and mopeds are excluded. The rules are in M.G.L. c. 90, § 1E:
- You need a driver’s license or learner’s permit.
- Top speed is 20 mph.
- Keep to the right.
- The scooter must have stop and turn signals.
- No riding after sunset or before sunrise.
- Every rider must wear a helmet, at any age.
- No passengers.
- You may use all public ways except limited-access or express highways where signs prohibit scooters or bicycles.
Section 1E has no registration requirement and no insurance requirement. The RMV lists “You cannot be under 16 years of age” as a restriction for mopeds and motorized scooters.
Unlike e-bikes and mopeds, scooters are not excluded from the “motor vehicle” definition. Whether a scooter is a motor vehicle is unsettled.
Electric Unicycles, One-Wheels, and Hoverboards
No Massachusetts statute defines these devices. The law does not specifically address registration, licensing, insurance, or where they can be ridden.
Low-Speed Vehicles and Limited-Use Vehicles
A low-speed vehicle under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1F has four wheels and a top speed of 20 to 25 mph. It must be registered, titled, insured, and inspected every year. The driver needs a license, and no one under 16 may drive one. It cannot be driven on roads posted over 30 mph, though it may cross roads posted 30 to 45 mph at controlled intersections.
A limited-use vehicle under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1H can reach 30 to 40 mph. The registrar may register one. It cannot be driven over 40 mph or on roads posted above 40 mph.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles need a motorcycle license, registration, and insurance. Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 7, the operator and passenger must wear helmets. If you were hurt on a motorcycle, see our motorcycle accident lawyer page.
No Insurance Required Is Not the Same as No Insurance Problem
The standard Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy (2024 edition) says: “We will not pay PIP benefits to or for: 1. Anyone who, at the time of the accident, was operating or occupying a motorcycle, any motor vehicle not subject to motor vehicle registration, or a motorized bicycle or moped.”
That exclusion means a moped rider hit by a car generally cannot collect Personal Injury Protection from their own policy, a household member’s policy, or the policy on the car that hit them. This comes from the policy language, not a statute. The rider can still bring a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver. Whether a moped rider can use uninsured or underinsured coverage is unsettled.
E-bike and scooter riders face different questions. We explain how PIP works for each type of rider in PIP after an e-bike, moped, or scooter crash. If you ride anything, it is also worth checking whether your homeowner’s or renter’s policy covers motorized devices.
What Happens If You Ride Unregistered or Unlicensed
The statutory fines are small. Under § 1B, a moped violation carries a fine of up to $25 for a first offense, $25 to $50 for a second, and $50 to $100 for later offenses. Section 1E sets the same scale for motorized scooters: up to $25 first, $25 to $50 second, and $50 to $100 for a third or later offense.
The bigger cost can be losing the vehicle. Boston Police ran repeated operations in 2025 and 2026 towing unregistered and uninsured mopeds. In one example, District 2 reported in a September 3, 2026 release that 90 mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles were removed in a single month.
Proposed Changes: Senate Bill S.3168
A pending bill would change these rules. S.3168, “An Act to enhance the safe use of micromobility devices,” would require moped registration and compulsory liability insurance, expand the moped definition to include a “hybrid or electric powered equivalent,” bar mopeds from bike lanes, add a Class 3 e-bike category, and repeal the separate motorized scooter rules.
S.3168 is not law. The Joint Committee on Transportation reported it favorably on July 6, 2026, and it was referred to Senate Ways and Means. There has been no later action as of November 1, 2026. Our S.3168 explainer tracks the bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mopeds need insurance in Massachusetts?
No Massachusetts law requires moped insurance. But the standard auto policy excludes moped riders from PIP benefits, so a rider hurt in a crash may have fewer coverage options than a pedestrian or bicyclist.
Do e-bikes need to be registered in Massachusetts?
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, with motors of 750 watts or less and a 20 mph assist limit, do not need registration, a license, or insurance. A bike that exceeds those limits is not an e-bike under Massachusetts law and can be treated as a motorcycle.
Do you need a license to ride a moped in Massachusetts?
Yes. You need a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit, and you must be at least 16. A permit holder does not need a licensed rider along. See our moped license guide for the details.
How much does moped registration cost?
The RMV charges $40 for a two-year registration. You get a plate and an expiration decal, and registrations expire on March 31. Mopeds do not need a title.
Can I ride an electric scooter at night in Massachusetts?
Not a motorized scooter covered by § 1E. The law bars riding after sunset or before sunrise, and it also requires a helmet, a license or permit, and no passengers.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Crash
If you were hurt on a moped, e-bike, or scooter, call Scalli Murphy Law at (617) 387-7000 or contact us online for a free consultation. Learn more about our e-bike, scooter, and moped injury practice.
This article is general information about Massachusetts law, not legal advice for your situation.