DC Council Considering Legislation

Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) and Brianna Nadeau (Ward 1) introduced the Moped Registration Accountability Amendment Act. Read the bill here.

The Allen/Nadeau bill requires registration of mopeds including proof of insurance. DC's laws about rental vehicles - including mopeds - have not been updated since 1978. DC DMV says that mopeds with engines with less than 50cc do not require drivers licenses or vehicle registration. According to the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, there are only 93 mopeds registered in the District last year. DC Reddit Forums suggest that some moped drivers purchase fake 49cc license plates or falsify their VA/MD tags. WTOP reports that Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto said her office has received an overwhelming number of complaints about moped operators. The complaints range from operators riding on the sidewalk, “sometimes undermining safety of pedestrians, riding in bike lanes, not having license plates, not using helmets,” she said. Meanwhile Councilmember Allen says “I hear about it from constituents daily, but I also see it with my own two eyes every single day. I’m seeing folks driving mopeds on sidewalks. I’m seeing them driving the wrong way on streets, blowing through stop signs, blowing through red lights.”

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