Child Restraint Law

Did you know, most kids ages 4 - 6 are riding at risk. Adult seat belts can be extremely dangerous to a child during the event of an accident. The shoulder portion of an adult seat belt can ride near the area of the neck and cause injury or death. Children should ride in a booster seat if they are too big for child safety seats and weigh 40-60 pounds.

Children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds.

Car booster seats must be used in conjunction with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. The booster seat raises the child so that the vehicle lap and shoulder belt can be positioned properly, and the child's knees can bend naturally.

CHP Link (More info on Child Restraint laws)

Safety BeltSafe USA (English)

Safety BeltSafe USA (Spanish)

Buckle Everyone. Children Age 12 and Under in Back!

(Information from theNational Highway Traffic Safety Association - NHTSA)

Electric and Gas Powered Scooters or "Go-Ped"

California Vehicle Code Scooters promote clean transportation, ease highway congestion, and provide a fun and comparatively inexpensive mode of transportation. It's important to be aware of the laws that govern the use and operation of scooters. FAQ: 1. How old do I have to be to operate a scooter? You must be16 or older. You do not need a California Driver's License.

2. Do I have to wear a helmet when I ride a scooter? Yes, an approved bicycle helmet that fits properly.

3. May I have a passenger on my scooter? No.

4. Where can I ride my scooter? On streets with 25 MPH or less speed limits unless in a class II bicycle lane. There are several important laws pertaining to where you may, and may not ride a scooter.

Important Rules to remember.

• The operator must wear an approved bicycle-type helmet.
• The scooter can only be driven on a roadway with a speed limit not exceeding 25 miles per hour (most residential streets). An exception to this rule is if the roadway has an approved Class II bicycle lane (the type on most roadways), the operator can ride on the roadway, but only in the bicycle lane.
• The speed limit for a motorized scooter is 15 miles per hour, regardless of the roadway speed.
• The operator cannot ride on a sidewalk.
• The operator cannot have passengers or wear headphones.

Motorized Scooter Defined

Per 407.5.

(a) of the California Vehicle Code, a "motorized scooter" is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. For purposes of this section, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor-driven cycle, as defined in Section 405, a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in Section 406, or a toy, as defined in Section 108550 of the Health and Safety Code, is not a motorized scooter

(b) A device meeting the definition in subdivision (a) that is powered by a source other than electrical power is also a motorized scooter.

(c) (1) Every manufacturer of motorized scooters shall provide a disclosure to buyers that advises buyers that their existing insurance policies may not provide coverage for these scooters and that they should contact their insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is provided.

(2) The disclosure required under paragraph (1) shall meet both of the following requirements:

(A) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information other than the disclosure.

(B) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital letters: "YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS SCOOTER. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS PROVIDED, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT."

VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21220-21235

21220. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:

(1) This state has severe traffic congestion and air pollution problems, particularly in its cities, and finding ways to reduce these problems is of paramount importance.

(2) Motorized scooters that meet the definition of Section 407.5 produce no emissions and, therefore, do not contribute to increased air pollution or increase traffic congestion.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in adding this article to promote the use of alternative low-emission or no-emission transportation.

21220.5. For the purposes of this article, a motorized scooter is defined in Section 407.5.

21221. Every person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, (Division 11) including, but not limited to, provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, and by Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000), Division 17 (commencing with Section 40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with Section 42000), except those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no application.

21221.5. Notwithstanding Section 21221, it is unlawful for any person to operate a motorized scooter upon a highway while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Any person arrested for a violation of this section may request to have a chemical test made of the person's blood or breath for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of that person's blood pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 23612, and, if so requested, the arresting officer shall have the test performed. A conviction of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

21223. (a) Every motorized scooter operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped with the following:

(1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lamp emitting a white light which, while the motorized scooter is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the motorized scooter.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a red reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

(3) A white or yellow reflector on each side visible from the front and rear of the motorized scooter from a distance of 200 feet.

(b) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the motorized scooter, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(c) A red reflector, or reflectorized material meeting the requirements of Section 25500, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, may be used in lieu of the reflector required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).

21224. (a) A person operating a motorized scooter is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, registration, and license plate requirements, and, for those purposes, a motorized scooter is not a motor vehicle. (b) A motorized scooter is exempt from the equipment requirements in Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000), except for Sections 24003 and 27400, Article 4 (commencing with Section 27450) of Chapter 5 of Division 12, and Section 27602.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision

(b), any motorized scooter may be equipped with equipment authorized by Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000).

(d) Any motorized scooter equipped with lighting equipment that is authorized by Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000) shall meet the lighting requirements in Article 1 (commencing with Section 24250) of Chapter 2 of Division 12 for that equipment.

21225. This article does not prevent local authorities, by ordinance, from regulating the registration of motorized scooters and the parking and operation of motorized scooters on pedestrian or bicycle facilities, if the regulation is not in conflict with this code. 21227.

(a) A motorized scooter shall comply with one of the following:

(1) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied.

(2) Operate in a manner so that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.

(b) It is unlawful for a person to operate a motorized scooter that does not meet one of the requirements of subdivision (a).

21228. (a) Any person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, except under the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950).

(3) (A) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes, which make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, subject to Section 21656. (B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A), a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a motorized scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(4) Any person operating a motorized scooter upon a highway that carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes may operate the motorized scooter as near the left-hand curb or left edge of that roadway as practicable. However, when preparing for a right turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or left edge of the highway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950).

21229. (a) Whenever a class II bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a motorized scooter upon the roadway shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle or pedestrian within the lane or when about to enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.

(2) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950).

(3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

(b) No person operating a motorized scooter shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in

Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100) in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.

21230. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motorized scooter may be operated on a bicycle path or trail or bikeway, unless the local authority or the governing body of a local agency having jurisdiction over that path, trail, or bikeway prohibits that operation by ordinance.

21235. The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:

(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a class II bicycle lane.

(c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.

(d) Operate a motorized scooter when the operator is under the age of 16 years.

(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.

(f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars

. (g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.

(h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

(i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.

(j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.

Pocket Bikes / Mini-Motorcycles

(CHP Bulletin 160 - June 1, 2004)

Mini-motorcycles (pocket bikes) are not manufactured with a conforming 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), indicating the manufacturers intended they be operated on private property and not for use on a highway.

A gasoline-powered mini-motorcycle is a motor-driven cycle pursuant to Section 405 of the Vehicle Code. As such, it is subject to all vehicle equipment, registration, driver license (M1 endorsement), and helmet requirements stated in the Vehicle Code.

An electric-powered mini-motorcycle is a motorized bicycle pursuant to Section 406 of the Vehicle Code. As such, it is subject to all vehicle equipment, driver license (M2 endorsement), and helmet requirements stated in the Vehicle Code. Individuals operating these vehicles on a highway should be cited for violation of 24002(b) of the Vehicle Code (vehicle not equipped as required by the Vehicle Code.) The following is a partial list of equipment requirements that could be referenced to substantiate the violation of Section 24002(b) of the Vehicle Code.

• Section 24600 VC - Taillamp required during darkness.
• Section 24253 VC - Battery required.
• Section 24603 VC - Stoplamp required at all times.
• Section 24607 VC - Red rear reflectors required.
• Section 24951(b)(4) VC - Lamp-type turn signal system required.
• Section 25650.5 VC - Lighted headlamp required when engine is running.
• Section 26103 VC - CHP Regulations for forward lighting equipment.
• Section 24400 VC - Headlamp height - between 22" and 54 inches.
• Section 26311 VC - Motorcycle brakes are required on all wheels.
• Section 26709 VC - Mirror required. Section 27000 VC - Horn required.
• Section 27150 VC - Muffler preventing excessive or unusual noise.
• Section 27155 VC - Fuel Tank Cap.
• Section 27465(b)(1) VC - Tire tread depth; minimum of 1/32 inch on any two adjacent grooves.