| Gas scooters are becoming more popular with the | | | | registration, and insurance, the title and registration |
| downturn in the economy. There's been an upsurge in | | | | can be taken are of at the dealer, unless you are |
| scooter sales lately and you've probably seen them | | | | buying a used scooter from the owner. In that case |
| popping up around your town. They're cheaper to | | | | our local tax collector should be able to take care of |
| buy and maintain than a car, and they use less gas. | | | | that. Make sure your insurance company will cover |
| Remember before you buy, consider your state gas | | | | you for a scooter, they may not consider a scooter |
| scooter laws, you can't always wheel your scooter | | | | the same as a motorcycle. You'll also need to make |
| out of the showroom and onto the street. | | | | sure your scooter has all the safety equipment you |
| Many municipalities have requirements on safety | | | | need to be street legal. If you buy from a dealer |
| equipment, and licensing. In many states in the U.S. | | | | that shouldn't be a problem, but if you buy privately |
| you'll need at least an automobile drivers license, and | | | | it might. Many states or counties require helmets, |
| in some states you'll also need a motorcycle | | | | even if they don't it's a really good idea to wear one. |
| endorsement. Your state might have an maximum | | | | Another thing to consider is emissions standards. |
| engine size to still be considered a scooter. In many | | | | California has one of the strictest set of emissions |
| states it's 50cc. That probably explains the | | | | laws in the U.S. but many other states are starting to |
| proliferation of 49cc scooters. If your scooter is over | | | | tighten the rules. Don't take your dealers word that |
| the maximum for your state your scooter might be | | | | your scooter meets emissions standards. The state |
| considered a motorcycle in terms of licensing. That | | | | of California will revoke your title if they find that |
| means you'll have to take an extra written test and | | | | your scooter is not up to standards. There is a |
| in many cases take a course or drivers test. Of | | | | sticker that the state or county should require if your |
| course you'll have to pay for those courses and the | | | | scooter has been tested and passed. If you're |
| extra test. You'll have to have all these things out of | | | | considering a scooter in your future make sure you |
| the way before you buy unless your state allow | | | | do your due diligence on the gas scooter laws in your |
| some sort of provisional license. | | | | area before you buy. |
| Of course you'll want to take care of title, | | | | |