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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 1Art. 5§ 21224 Motorized Scooter Exemptions

§ 21224 Motorized Scooter Exemptions

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21224 Motorized Scooter Exemptions

This law says that motorized scooters don't need to follow the same rules as cars for things like insurance, registration, or license plates. They also don't need all the same equipment as cars, but they can have some extra safety features if they want.

Key Takeaways

  • •Motorized scooters don't need insurance, registration, or license plates.
  • •They don't need all the same equipment as cars, but they can have extra safety features like lights.
  • •If a scooter has lights, those lights must meet certain safety rules.

Example

You buy a motorized scooter to ride around town.

You don't need to get insurance for it, register it with the DMV, or put a license plate on it like you would for a car. You also don't need to have all the same equipment as a car, like turn signals or a windshield, but you can add lights if you want to make it safer to ride at night.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21224 Motorized Scooter Exemptions

(a) A person operating a motorized scooter is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, registration, and license plate requirements, and, for those purposes, a motorized scooter is not a motor vehicle. (b) A motorized scooter is exempt from the equipment requirements in Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000), except for Sections 24003 and 27400, Article 4 (commencing with Section 27450) of Chapter 5 of Division 12, and Section 27602. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), any motorized scooter may be equipped with equipment authorized by Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000). (d) Any motorized scooter equipped with lighting equipment that is authorized by Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000) shall meet the lighting requirements in Article 1 (commencing with Section 24250) of Chapter 2 of Division 12 for that equipment. (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 722, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

motorized scooterfinancial responsibilityregistrationlicense plate requirementsequipment requirements

Related Statutes

  • § 21220.5 Motorized Scooter Definition
  • § 21221 Scooter Operator Highway Rights
  • § 21221.5 Motorized Scooter Dui
  • § 21226 Motorized Scooter Noise Limits
  • § 21227 Motorized Scooter Brake Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21224.
View Official Source