Scooter Law in Lemars, Iowa

The term "scooter" can apply to mopeds or motorcycles. For a person to legally operate a scooter on roads in Iowa, the scooter must meet some minimum specifications.

Features

• Iowa Department of Transportation motorized vehicle laws prohibit people from driving scooters on public roads if the scooters cannot reach speeds of at least 20 miles per hour and climb up three-percent gradients. The state allows scooters that cannot reach up to 20 miles per hour or climb three-percent gradients on private property only. A scooter must get a yearly registration with the state through the county treasurer if the owner wants to drive it on public roads.

License Requirement

• According to the Iowa Driver's Manual, anyone driving a scooter on public streets and roads in Iowa needs to have a driver's license. People over age 14 without a driver's license can get a moped license in Iowa if they pass a vision test, a driving knowledge test and a moped skills test. To drive a motorcycle, a person must pass a motorcycle test even if he already has a driver's license.

Size

• Moped scooters that have engines that are too large, and that can drive more than 30 miles per hour or that have more than three wheels touching the ground, are illegal in Iowa. Motorcycles can have larger engines that reach speeds above 30 miles per hour.