Request By:
Mr. Douglas E. Culp
Chief of Police
City of Maysville
Third and Bridge Street
Maysville, Kentucky 41056
Opinion
Opinion By: David L. Armstrong, Attorney General; Joe Johnson, Assistant Attorney General
In response to your letter dated April 9, 1984, we are pleased to answer your questions on mopeds.
(1) The moped itself cannot be licensed. KRS 186.010(4).
(2) The moped operator must be licensed or face a $12-$500 fine and six (6) months in jail. KRS 186.410, 186.990(3).
(3) The operator of a moped need not wear a protective helmet. KRS 189.285.
(4) The lawful minimum age of a moped operator is sixteen (16). KRS 186.440.
(5) There are no liability insurance requirements for mopeds. KRS 304.39-020(7).
(6) The maximum speed limit for mopeds is 30 miles per hour. KRS 186.010(5).
(7) The statutes do not specify that moped operation must be restricted to highways.
(8) Mopeds are required to have at least one but not more than two headlamps. KRS 189.040. The fine is $20-$100. KRS 189.990(1).
(9) Other requirements are found in the moped definition in KRS 186.010(5) which states as follows:
'Moped' means either a motorized bicycle whose frame design may include one or more horizontal crossbars supporting a fuel tank so long as it also has pedals, or a motorized bicycle with a step-through type frame which may or may not have pedals rated no more than 2 brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 m.p.h.