Are Operators / Riders of a Motor Scooter Required to Wear a Helmet in the State of Florida?

The helmet law or requirements for a motor scooter in the State of Florida is a bit different than the helmet law or requirements for a motorcycle. An operator of a motorcycle must carry Personal Injury Protection or health insurance in the amount of $10,000 and be 21 years of age or older to be exempt from hearing a helmet. All operators and riders of a motorcycle under the age of 21 years old must wear a helmet. See Section 316.211, Florida Statutes - Equipment for Motorcycle and Moped Riders.

With respect to motor scooters, an operator must be at least 16 years old but is not required to wear a helmet. If the motor scooter has an engine that is 50 cubic centimeters or less, 2 brake horsepower or less, and cannot exceed 30 miles per hour on level or flat ground, no helmet is required. See Section 316.211, Florida Statutes - Equipment for Motorcycle and Moped Riders.

Most motor scooters on the road meet these criteria. Most motor scooters do not have much power, horsepower, or speed capacities. While there is not much power, it should be noted that the operation of a motor scooter can be quite dangerous. This is especially true for those operators and riders who choose not to wear a helmet. While a helmet is not required for a motor scooter operator meeting the above specification, the operator of a motor scooter must hold a regular operator license (Class E) or a Motorcycle Only license. Any passengers under the age of 16 years old must wear a helmet.

When motor scooters are on the road, other drivers should be on the look out. There is a campaign out there in various forms titled - Watch Out for Motorcycles. This same campaign or safety theme applies to motor scooters. It is clear that a motor scooter is not match by size, volume, weight, or speed to even a compact motor vehicle. As such, any motor vehicle crash involving a motor scooter can have devastating results in the form of personal injuries and even the wrongful death of the operator or rider of a motor scooter. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that individuals who ride on motorcycles, mopeds, and motor scooters are 35 times more at risk for a fatal personal injury ask compared to drivers / occupants of a passenger motor vehicle.

David Wolf is a personal injury and safety advocate with over 30 years of experience representing injury victims including those who have been injured as a result of a motor scooter, moped, or motorcycle accident. He is the author of over 4,000 articles and 12 books that focus on personal injury issues. Following a motor scooter accident, it is important for the victim and family to get legal advice and guidance as to the variety of issues and challenges that arise. David Wolf firmly believes in giving personal injury vicitms and their families a voice to level out the playing field against insurance companies and corporations.

Contact David Wolf for a Free Consultation regarding a motor scooter accident matter or another personal injury case. David Wolf handles these cases on a contingency basis which means that there will not be any attorney fees or costs charged to the client unless there is a financial recovery. Contact David Wolf right now at (904) 500-WOLF or (904) 500-9653 or via e-mail at dwolf@davidalanwolf.com.