Question: Should moped operators be licensed? They are on the same streets as other licensed drivers but do not follow the same rules as others. In the past week I have seen them drive in between cars, pass me on my right side when I am making a right turn, drive on the sidewalk and crosswalks. If I hit one, I will have to live with that the rest of my life. Thank you much for listening.
Answer: Yes, a license is required to legally operate a moped in Hawaii. The minimum standard is a Class 1 driver’s license or permit, which allows holders as young as 15 to operate only a moped. Helmets are required for moped operators under 18, per Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 291c-195.
Operators with Class 2 (motor scooters and motorcycles), Class 3 (most vehicles) and commercial driver’s permits or licenses also may operate mopeds. Under the law, a moped is defined as having two or three wheels, a maximum of 2 horsepower, a top speed of no more than 30 mph, and an automatic transmission; a moped may carry only one person. As the state Department of Transportation states on its website, “If your moped goes faster than 30 mph, it is no longer a moped; it is a motor scooter, which has insurance requirements and different licensing requirements.”
By state statute, mopeds are prohibited from sidewalks or in any area intended for the exclusive use of pedestrians.
Mopeds may use bicycle lanes, unless specifically prohibited, per HRS 291C-197. One example of such a prohibition is Honolulu’s King Street Protected Bike Lane, where signs on every block make clear that the lane is for bicycles only.
While driver’s licenses have long been required for moped operators, until this year the vehicles were not required to have annual safety inspections and registration renewals on Oahu. That changed with the adoption last year of Act 200, which took effect Jan. 1.
For information about the new process on Oahu, see 808ne.ws/mopedreg.
Gratitude galore
The recent holiday season generated a flurry of Mahalo submissions, as Kokua Line readers expressed gratitude for kind deeds. We’ll run several today, lest they fall through the cracks as the new year revs on.
Mahalo
Mahalo to the nice young woman who on Christmas Eve delivered a package to me at my condominium that had been misdelivered to her at her condo, which has a similar street address. I appreciate her kindness and her taking the time on Christmas Eve to deliver the package to me. Thank you. — A caller
Mahalo
To the Mililani Safeway shopper who turned in the $25 gift card I dropped in one of the aisles while shopping during Christmas. Your honesty and integrity have reinforced my belief that the aloha spirit still exists. — Mahalo from a grateful Mililani resident
Mahalo
Praise the Lord and mahalo to Santa’s helper. On Dec. 12 at about 10:30 a.m., I walked into Likelike Drive Inn with a friend to have a light breakfast. I was using a walker. I don’t walk too well and my balance is poor. While we were having breakfast, Santa’s helper came by and told me that she paid our tab and tipped the wait help. She was with her companion. She refused to give her name. I appreciated her kindness and thanked her profusely. I will extend her kindness to someone else. May God always bless Santa’s helper and her companion. — Always blessed and grateful, G.C.
Mahalo
I stopped at Don Quijote for a loaf of bread and some ground pork. Alas, I found myself without enough funds. The man behind me told the cashier, “I got it.” I was stunned for I had intended for the cashier to return the items to the shelves. I came out with my purchases. May God bless this kind gentleman, who said “Merry Christmas.” I will certainly pay it forward. We have many angels around us and I believe this one was mine. Mahalo plenty. — Surprised shopper
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