A South Carolina bill, which passed on June 2, will place certain restrictions on moped operation and call for the vehicles to be registered and to carry liability insurance.
The bill prohibits moped drivers from exceeding a speed limit of 35 mph. Drivers must refrain from driving on highways with speed limits of greater than 55 mph. However, registered mopeds would be allowed to cross intersections of highways with speed limits exceeding 55 mph.
In addition to the required registration of mopeds, the new legislation recognizes the mopeds as "motor vehicles," which will subject their operators to DUI laws. Moped drivers can have their licenses revoked for offenses committed while driving a moped in the same way any other motor vehicle operator can lose their license.
The bill is set to be enacted on Feb. 1, 2017.