Oregon Public Broadcasting

As gas prices rise, more people are deciding to scoot to work. Scooter sales are up nearly 25-percent nationally.

Dealers here in the Northwest confirm the trend. But what some new moped owners may not know is you need a motorcycle license to drive many of these two-wheelers. Correspondent Austin Jenkins explains.

Alex Mutnick of Olympia fires up his brand new moped.

New scooter owner Alex Mutnick in Olympia

Mutnick says when gas hit the $4 a gallon mark he decided to park his Volvo and switch to two-wheels.

Alex Mutnick: “My wife’s vehicle gets 11 miles to the gallon, mine gets 18 to 20. 21 gallon gas tanks. We’re paying about $500 month in gas.”

Mutnick says he knew before he bought that he’d have to get a special motorcycle license called an endorsement.

Alex Mutnick: “I knew because I did a little research and any motor vehicle over 50 ccs require a motorcycle endorsement.”

The other trigger is if the moped goes over 30 miles per hour on the flat.

The laws are similar in Oregon and Idaho. But the Washington Department of Licensing is concerned many moped drivers don’t know they need a special license.

Steve Stewart: “We know there’s been some confusion over mopeds, what’s a moped, what’s a motorcycle.”

Steve Stewart runs Washington’s motorcycle safety program. He says moped drivers who get caught without a proper license face a stiff penalty.

Steve Stewart: “If a patrolman or an officer should stop you for doing 40 if you don’t have the proper endorsement for the vehicles you’re riding they can impound them.”

At Vespa Seattle, Steve Calvo says he encourages his customers not just to get licensed -- but to take a moped or motorcycle safety class.

Steve Calvo: “That’s the first thing that we tell people is you will be a better, safer driver by taking the class -- you know your friends can teach you so much or you can learn so much yourself. But it’s just like drivers education for an automobile.”

Taking a class is what new moped owner Alex Mutnick plans to do. In the meantime he has a 90-day permit.

So far he’s thrilled with the decision to switch to a moped -- he says he’s getting 90 miles to the gallon. The only downside -- his wife isn’t exactly happy.
 
Alex Mutnick: “She’s terrified of what could happen, but I’ve taken every precaution to show her that we’re being safe.”