WestCoast Sdime
+1y
Edited: 2/2/2005 9:51:12 PM by WestCoast Sdime
Ca Residents, CHP passed a new law, How many of you own pocket bikes, and even let your kids play with them outside? New law was passed and chp is enforcing it heavily.
Since they are not manufactured with a 17-digit VIN, they cannot get registered as a legal motor vehicle or as an off-highway vehicle, which makes them illegal for use on the highways or as an off-highway vehicle.
Definition of Highway
"Highway" as defined in Section 360 VC "is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street."
Gasoline-Powered Mini-Motorcycles:
A gasoline-powered mini-motorcycle is a "motor-driven cycle" pursuant to Section 405 VC. As such, it is subject to all vehicle equipment, registration, driver license (M1 endorsement), and helmet requirements stated in the VC.
Electric-Powered Mini-Motorcycles:
An electric-powered mini-motorcycle is a "motorized bicycle" pursuant to Section 406(a) VC. As such, it is subject to all vehicle equipment, driver license (M2 endorsement), and helmet requirements stated in the VC.
If a person is stopped by a CHP officer while operating a mini-motorcycle (pocket bike) on a highway, that person may be cited for no driver's license or lack of proper motorcycle endorsement, unsafe vehicle, or helmet use, and the bike may be impounded which would require tow and storage fees be paid by the violator.
Oh and because they are considered vehicles, noone under 16 can operate them according to the Law, so if your kid is operating one,they can cite you for that also, which also carries a heavy fine, they can even arrest for it. 12500,operating a vehicle on a highway without a license, misdemeanor offense.
before we left the academy, we were taught vehicle code by a retired Sgt chp officer for 2 weeks. How these guys think its really funny, they cite everyone for everything. Anyway he told us,if he catches kids out in the street with these, he 'owns' the kids, by taking there toy, and citing there parents with a ton of tickets, it was funny because noone will ever get away with anything when chp are around. lol, just thought some of you should know.