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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 1Art. 5§ 21228 Motorized Scooter Right-Side Riding

§ 21228 Motorized Scooter Right-Side Riding

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

§ 21228 Motorized Scooter Right-Side Riding

This law says if you're riding a motorized scooter slower than other traffic, you must stay close to the right side of the road. There are a few times when you don't have to do this, like when you're turning left or avoiding something dangerous.

Key Takeaways

  • •Stay to the right if you're riding slower than other traffic.
  • •You can leave the right side to pass someone, turn left, or avoid something dangerous.
  • •On a one-way street with two or more lanes, you can ride near the left side instead.
  • •Always get off your scooter to turn left or right on a one-way street.

Example

You're riding your motorized scooter on a busy street, and cars are going faster than you.

You need to stay as close as you can to the right side of the road. But if you need to turn left, you have to stop, get off your scooter, and walk across the street like a pedestrian.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21228 Motorized Scooter Right-Side Riding

Any person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, except under the following situations: (a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. (b) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950). (c) (1) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes, which make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, subject to Section 21656. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a motorized scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. (d) Any person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway that carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes may operate the motorized scooter as near the left-hand curb or left edge of that roadway as practicable. However, when preparing for a right turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or left edge of the highway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950). (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 62, Sec. 306. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

highwaytrafficvehiclehazardroaddirection

Related Statutes

  • § 4604.5 Late Vehicle Registration Penalty
  • § 22504 Highway Parking Restrictions
  • § 12804.9 Driver License Exam Requirements
  • § 12810 Two-Point Violations
  • § 1810.3 Commercial Vehicle Accident Data

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21228.
View Official Source