Mini Bikes and Other Vehicles

m e t r o p o l i ta n p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t

Like cars and trucks, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, Seg-

ways, and mopeds must be operated safely on city streets.

Minibikes, ATVs, and dirt bikes are designed for oﬀ-road

use and may not be driven on city streets or sidewalks. e

table below shows the registration and licensing require-

ments for various types of vehicles and where they may be

legally operated.

Vehicle Type Definition Inspection

Required?

License

Required?

Insurance

Required?

Registration

Required?

Helmet

Required?

Ride on

Sidewalk?

Ride on

Trails/Bike

Lanes

Parking

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a two or three wheeled

vehicle that has one or more of the

following characteristics: 1) piston

displacement of more than fifty (50) cubic

centimeters, 2) capable of traveling over

35 miles per hour on level ground, 3)

more than one and one-half (1.5) brake

horsepower (S.A.E. rating), 4) wheels

under 16 inches in diameter, or 5) manual

transmission.[4],[5]

Yes, must be

inspected for

safety and

emissions

every two (2)

years. [7],[8]

Yes, motorcycle

demonstration

test in DC or

motorcycle

demonstration

course in VA or

MD, and have

corresponding

"M" endorsement

on their license.

Yes, must

meet the

Compulsory

No-Fault

Motor Vehicle

Insurance Act

limits. [11]

Yes; $52 Yes. [12] No No Motor vehicles

rules apply,

except that

some areas

are reserved

for

motorcycles

only.

Motorized

Bicycle (also

includes most

mopeds)

A motorized bicycle is a two or three

wheeled vehicle with all of the following

characteristics: 1) wheels more than 16

inches in diameter, 2) automatic

transmission, 3) piston displacement of

not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters,

4) incapable of maximum speed of over

35 miles per hour on level ground, and 5)

not more than one-half (1.5) brake

horsepower (S.A.E. rating). If the two or

three wheeled motor vehicle does not

meet one or more of these characteristics,

it is a motorcycle.

Yes, must be

inspected for

safety and

emissions

every two (2)

years. [7],[8]

Yes, cannot

operator with a

learner's permit

and cannot obtain

a motorcycle

endorsement until

18. [10]

Yes, must

meet the

Compulsory

No-Fault

Motor Vehicle

Insurance Act

limits. [11]

Yes; $10 [9] No No Not on trails but

allowed in bike

lanes. [15]

May be

parked on

sidewalks only

if they are in a

bike rack.

Non-Traditional Motor Vehicles and DC Law

In the D.C. Code, motor vehicles are defined as vehicles propelled by an internal-combustion engine, electricity, or steam.[1] This definition encompasses non-traditional motor vehicles.

Therefore, the four main requirements for the operation of motor vehicles all apply: registration, driver’s license, inspection, and insurance. [2] All traffic laws, such as reckless driving, also

apply,[3] except as discussed below.

Most Motor Vehicle Laws Apply

Two or Three Wheeled Non-Traditional Motor Vehicles

If the non-traditional vehicle has two or three wheels, it falls under one of two subcategories of motor vehicle: motorcycle or motorized bicycle.

Non-Traditional Motor Vehicles and DC Law

Vehicle Type Definition Inspection

Required?

License

Required?

Insurance

Required?

Registration

Required?

Helmet

Required?

Ride on

Sidewalk?

Ride on

Trails/Bike

Lanes

Parking

All -Terrain

Vehicles and

Dirt Bikes

“ATV” is defined as any motor vehicle with

not less than three low pressure tires, but

not more than six low pressure tires,

designed primarily for off-road use and

which has a seat or saddle designed to be

straddled by the operator. “Dirt Bike” is

defined at any motorcycle designed

primarily for off-road use.

Not eligible for

registration. [6]

Not Applicable No No No parking on

public

property.

Segway

Segway, or Personal Mobility Device

(PMD), means a motorized propulsion

device designed to transport one person

or a self-balancing, two non-tandem

wheeled device, designed to transport

only one person with an electric

propulsion system, but excluding a battery

operated wheelchair. [13]

No [14] No No No No Yes, except in

the Central

Business

District (CBD).

Allowed in bike

lanes, not on

National Park

Service Trails.

Rules for

bicycles

apply. [16]

Citations:

Regardless, of their category above, it is a

criminal offense to operate ATVs and Dirt

bikes on public streets. [6]

1] Not included in this definition are traction engines, road rollers, vehicles propelled only upon rails or tracks, personal mobility devices (a.k.a. segways), and battery-operated wheelchairs when

operated by a person with a disability; D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.02.

[2] D.C. Official Code §§ 50-1501.02, 50-1401.01 et seq., 50-1101; and 31-2403, respectively. Even when the vehicle is operated without turning on the engine, as can be done with some

mopeds, the vehicle nevertheless is regulated as a motor vehicle.

[3] See, e.g., United States v. Stancil 422 A.2d 1285 (D.C. 1980).

[4] 18 DMCR § 9901.

[5] For example, a moped can be regulated as a motorcycle. United States v. Stancil, 422 A.2d 1285 (D.C. 1980); 18 DCMR 9901.

[6] D.C. Law 15-289.

[7] 18 DCMR § 601.

[8] Some of the requirements include: 1 or 2 headlamps, at least 1 tail lamp, at least 1 brake lamp, rear view mirrors, and a horn. Motorcycles and motorized bicycles are not required to have

turn signals; 18 DCMR, Ch.6.

[9] D.C. Official Code § 50-1501.03.

[10] See D.C. Official Code § 50-1401.01.

[11] See D.C. Official Code 31-2401 et seq.

[12] 18 DCMR § 2215.

[13] D.C. Official Code § 50-1401.01(f) excludes personal mobility devices from the classification as a "motor vehicle."

[14] D.C. Official Code § 50-1108.

[15] 18 DCMR §§ 1201.18 , 1201.19

[16] 18 DCMR § 1209.

Additional Information

Non-traditional motor vehicles designed for off-road use are not eligible for an inspection sticker. One indication of the vehicle’s design is whether it displays a manufacturer’s sticker indicating

that it meets the federal standards for on-road use. If there is no such sticker, it cannot be operated on DC streets, except that mopeds, which are motorcycles or motorized bicycles equipped

with functional pedals, may be operated on DC streets if they pass all other inspection requirements.

Source: District Department of Transportation, District Department of Motor Vehicles

To learn more, visit

w ww.dmv.dc.gov

CITATIONS:

[1] Not included in this denition are traction engines, road rollers,

vehicles propelled only upon rails or tracks, personal mobility

devices (a.k.a. segways), and battery-operated wheelchairs

when operated by a person with a disability; D.C. Ocial Code

§ 50-2201.02.

[2] D.C. Ocial Code §§ 50-1501.02, 50-1401.01 et seq., 50-1101;

and 31-2403, respectively. Even when the vehicle is operated

without turning on the engine, as can be done with some mopeds,

the vehicle nevertheless is regulated as a motor vehicle.

[3] See, e.g., United States v. Stancil 422 A.2d 1285 (D.C. 1980).

[4] 18 DMCR § 9901.

[5] For example, a moped can be regulated as a motorcycle. United

States v. Stancil, 422 A.2d 1285 (D.C. 1980); 18 DCMR 9901.

[6] D.C. Law 15-289.

[7] 18 DCMR § 601.

[8] Some of the requirements include: 1 or 2 headlamps, at least

1 tail lamp, at least 1 brake lamp, rear view mirrors, and a horn.

Motorcycles and motorized bicycles are not required to have

turn signals; 18 DCMR, Ch.6.

[9] D.C. Ocial Code § 50-1501.03.

[10] See D.C. Ocial Code § 50-1401.01.

[11] See D.C. Ocial Code 31-2401 et seq.

[12] 18 DCMR § 2215.

[13] D.C. Ocial Code § 50-1401.01(f) excludes personal mobility

devices from the classication as a “motor vehicle.”

[14] D.C. Ocial Code § 50-1108.

[15] 18 DCMR §§ 1201.18 , 1201.19

[16] 18 DCMR § 1209.