Post by skuuter on Jul 8, 2013 2:53:53 GMT -5
Having had to pay large fines in North Carolina in years past for no Tag on my Race Car Trailer (Tennessee at the time didn't require them, and yes being a "non-resident" of that State will not save You in Court) when I came to race at Charlotte, Hickory, and Metrolina Speedways, I can fully relate to the "State to State Tag and Drivers/Motorcycle License Discrepencies" involved with riding State to State. Mitzie and I have no issues, due to having Motorcycle Licenses, Insurance, and Tags on all of Our Scooters, but reading through some FOR SALE Ads here, I see some Ruckus Scooters are being sold due to new State Laws requiring either a Drivers License and/or Motorcycle License to operate even a 49cc Scooter. Tennessee already requires a Tag and Proof of Insurance, even on a Ruckus or Metro.
Ironically, Me and my State Representative here, and some Other Friends, were Mountain Bike Riding the City Park Trails at Springfield, Tennessee, and were discussing possible new legislation for Tennessee regarding what State Governments refer to as a "License Loophole" a few weeks ago. Apparently Tennessee, like Virginia and some Others that have already passed mandatory license laws, is looking into closing this Loophole, requiring a Drivers License, Tag, and Proof of Insurance to be on the Tennessee Roads with even a 49cc Scooter. If this Bill gets passed into Law, then He said the intent is to later require a Motorcycle License for the smaller Scooters as required for 50cc and larger Scooters and Motorcycles. He also said these laws can be enforced for Out of State Riders also. Apparently, just like Trucking, etc., it is the responsibility of Riders to check State and Local Laws before operating a Scooter or Motorcycle in another Area than Their own. I can attest to this after paying $1460.00 in "No-Trailer Tag" Fines to the State of North Carolina...!!!
Apparently, even in States not requiring Tags on 49cc Scooters, Tags can be purchased if the Owner requests one. Even getting a Motorcycle License is no really big deal if You have some Simple, Basic Riding Skills.It may become worthwhile in the future to just go ahead and get a Motorcycle License, Tag, and Insurance just to be on the safe side regardless where You go to ride. Just a Footnote also.....my Buddy Jim had His Ruckus GY6 confiscated and auctioned off by the State of Tennessee 3 weeks ago, along with a 48 hour Jail stay, 60 hours of Community Service Work, and a $450 fine for D.O.T. Fraud (He was still riding it under the 49cc Loophole Conditions). This made the third "Modified Ruckus" confiscation in this Area this year that I'm aware of...One had a 250 Reflex engine on it that I did some welding on for the Guy about 3 years ago...
...my "Other Buddy" Lamar (County Motorcycle Patrolman) caught two of the three including Jim. He's a really savy, avid, Motorcycle Rider/Owner, even off the job.......just a "Heads-Up"....might want to get Your Motorcycle License, Tag, and Insurance on that Ruckus, Metro, or Other 49cc "Loophole" Scooter. States are clamoring for every dollar They can get in this dismal Economy, don't contribute needlessly..... 
Ironically, Me and my State Representative here, and some Other Friends, were Mountain Bike Riding the City Park Trails at Springfield, Tennessee, and were discussing possible new legislation for Tennessee regarding what State Governments refer to as a "License Loophole" a few weeks ago. Apparently Tennessee, like Virginia and some Others that have already passed mandatory license laws, is looking into closing this Loophole, requiring a Drivers License, Tag, and Proof of Insurance to be on the Tennessee Roads with even a 49cc Scooter. If this Bill gets passed into Law, then He said the intent is to later require a Motorcycle License for the smaller Scooters as required for 50cc and larger Scooters and Motorcycles. He also said these laws can be enforced for Out of State Riders also. Apparently, just like Trucking, etc., it is the responsibility of Riders to check State and Local Laws before operating a Scooter or Motorcycle in another Area than Their own. I can attest to this after paying $1460.00 in "No-Trailer Tag" Fines to the State of North Carolina...!!!
Apparently, even in States not requiring Tags on 49cc Scooters, Tags can be purchased if the Owner requests one. Even getting a Motorcycle License is no really big deal if You have some Simple, Basic Riding Skills.It may become worthwhile in the future to just go ahead and get a Motorcycle License, Tag, and Insurance just to be on the safe side regardless where You go to ride. Just a Footnote also.....my Buddy Jim had His Ruckus GY6 confiscated and auctioned off by the State of Tennessee 3 weeks ago, along with a 48 hour Jail stay, 60 hours of Community Service Work, and a $450 fine for D.O.T. Fraud (He was still riding it under the 49cc Loophole Conditions). This made the third "Modified Ruckus" confiscation in this Area this year that I'm aware of...One had a 250 Reflex engine on it that I did some welding on for the Guy about 3 years ago...
...my "Other Buddy" Lamar (County Motorcycle Patrolman) caught two of the three including Jim. He's a really savy, avid, Motorcycle Rider/Owner, even off the job.......just a "Heads-Up"....might want to get Your Motorcycle License, Tag, and Insurance on that Ruckus, Metro, or Other 49cc "Loophole" Scooter. States are clamoring for every dollar They can get in this dismal Economy, don't contribute needlessly..... 
