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The minimum age to legally ride a moped varies slightly from state to state.
Some states will allow you to ride a moped as long as you hold a standard permit or driver’s license.
Other states will require a motorcycle or moped-specific endorsement.
Moped Age Requirements
In most states, moped riders must be at least 14 to 16 years old with a valid:
- Moped permit.
- Motorcycle license.
- Learner’s permit.
- Intermediate driver’s license.
OR
- Full driver’s license.
If the rider is under 18 years old, they will often need to have completed driver’s education and/or a rider training course. For more information or questions specific to your state, be sure to visit your state’s official DMV website.
State | Minimum Age to Ride Moped | License Required |
Alabama | 14 | “B” restircted motorcycle license |
Alaska | 14 | M2 motorcycle license |
Arizona | 15 1/2 | Motorcycle endorsement |
Arkansas | 10 | Class M or MD license |
California | 16 | M1 motorcycle license |
Colorado | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Connecticut | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Delaware | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Florida | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Georgia | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Hawaii | 15 1/2 | Motorcycle endorsement |
Idaho | 14 1/2 | Standard driver’s license |
Illinois | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Indiana | 15 | Motorcycle endorsement |
Iowa | 14 | Standard driver’s license |
Kansas | 14 | Standard driver’s license |
Kentucky | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Louisiana | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Maine | 16 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
Maryland | 15 3/4 | Standard driver’s license |
Massachusetts | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Michigan | 15 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
Minnesota | 15 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
Mississippi | 15 | Motorcycle endorsement |
Missouri | 15 | Motorcycle license |
Montana | 14 1/2 | Standard driver’s license |
Nebraska | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Nevada | 15 1/2 | Standard driver’s license |
New Hampshire | 15 1/2 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
New Jersey | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
New Mexico | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
New York | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
North Carolina | 15 | Be at least 16 years old |
North Dakota | 14 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
Ohio | 15 1/2 | Standard driver’s license |
Oklahoma | 15 1/2 | Standard driver’s license |
Oregon | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Pennsylvania | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Rhode Island | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
South Carolina | 15 | Standard driver’s license or motorcycle endorsement |
South Dakota | 14 | Standard driver’s license |
Tennessee | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Texas | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Utah | 15 | Motorcycle license |
Vermont | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Virginia | 16 | Must carry a government issued ID card while riding |
Washington | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
West Virginia | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Wisconsin | 15 1/2 | Standard driver’s license or moped permit |
Wyoming | 15 | Standard driver’s license |
Washington DC | 16 | Standard driver’s license |
Other Moped Requirements
Remember, moped laws typically only apply to 2-3 wheel vehicles with:
- An engine size of no more than 49cc.
- A top speed of no more than 30mph.
Additionally, moped riders will generally need to:
- Wear a DOT-approved helmet.
- Wear proper motorcycle protective gear.
- Abide by any moped registration and insurance requirements.
- Not ride on the sidewalk.
- Avoid roadways with a posted speed limit above 30mph.
- Not ride on the freeway.
- Obey all traffic laws.
Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a 50cc scooter?
In many states, you are not required to hold a motorcycle endorsement in order to ride a moped.
The general requirement is that you’ll need to hold a valid, standard driver’s license.
For more information, check out our guide on moped license requirements.
For scooters with an engine larger than 50cc and a top speed of over 30 mph, you will typically need to get your full motorcycle license.
Regardless of whether or not you need a motorcycle license, it is still a good idea to get familiar with motorcycle safety and motorcycle riding techniques.