Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Popular electric scooters require licenses just like other vehicles

Arkansas law requires operators of motorized scooters have a driver's license or operator's certificate to ride on the streets, roads and highways of the state.

According to Eighth Judicial District North Prosecuting Attorney Randy Wright, the scooters are classified as "motorized bicycles" under Arkansas law.

"Arkansas Code 27-20-101 defines a motorized bicycle as a bicycle with an automatic transmission and a motor with displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less," Wright said. "In my opinion these scooters fit that definition."

Arkansas State Police agree with Wright's assessment. They point out Arkansas Code 27-20-111 states the operators of motorized bicycles on public streets and highways will obey all traffic laws required of other motor vehicle operators, meet the requirements of possessing necessary insurance, and a driver's license or operator certificate for individuals 10 years of age or older.

Even though the modern scooters have electric motors, they are still regulated by the Arkansas motor vehicle statutes.

"No child under 10 years of age can possess a motorized bicycle operator certificate," State Police Major J. R. Howard said. "Without an operator certificate, the scooter cannot be driven on a public street or highway, and the vehicles are specifically banned by statute from operating on public sidewalks."

Howard is the commander of the Arkansas State Police Law Enforcement Operations Bureau.

Scooter drivers can obtain a motorized bicycle operator certificate at any Arkansas State Police Driver Testing Site. There is a $2 fee for issuance of the certificate.

In order to qualify for a motorized bicycle operator certificate an individual must be at least 10 years old and successfully complete a written examination, vision test and road test, according to State Police.

In order to be operated on public streets or highways the law requires that motorized bicycles be equipped with the following: a headlight visible from 250 feet away, a rear red reflector visible from 150 feet, a tail light visible from 250 feet, good hand or foot brakes, a horn in good working order and a standard muffler.

No license plate is required, and no operator certificate is required to operate a scooter on private property.

"I would advise people to take safety precautions for children riding these scooters," Wright said. "They should wear protective headgear and should not ride on the main streets with heavy traffic.

"Remember, it may be difficult for motor vehicle operators to see small children riding these scooters, especially if they are darting in and out of traffic," Wright said.