All of us are well aware of the fluctuation of fuel costs in our country. Many citizens have sought out alternate methods of travel and/or alternate fuel sources to offset the ever increasing prices of a barrel of crude oil. Many have had questions and/or comments on alternate vehicles and their classifications.

On June 17, 2008 a blog on Legal and Safe Bicycling was posted, which received some great comments. One comment that was posted was the following:

"What about license requirements for scooters under 49cc? The motorcycle handbook says it does not need tags because it is considered a motorized bicycle"

-- Posted by jonboon on Fri, Jun 27, 2008, at 3:48 PM

Below is some of the Tennessee state law verbiage as it pertains to "Autocycle", "Bicycle", "Motor Vehicle", "Motorcycle", "Motor-driven cycle", and "Motorized bicycle." Instead of including the entire TCA (Tennessee Code Anotated) sections, I have only included the sections that pertain to the above mentioned vehicles and/or cycles.

(3) "Autocycle" has the same meaning as defined in § 55-1-103;

(34) "Motorized bicycle" means a vehicle with two (2) or three (3) wheels, an automatic transmission, and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) which produces no more than two (2) brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a maximum design speed of no more than thirty miles per hour (30 mph) on level ground. The operator of a motorized bicycle must be in possession of a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, and shall be subject to all applicable and practical rules of the road. A motorized bicycle may not be operated on a highway of the interstate and defense highway system, any similar limited access multilane divided highway, or upon sidewalks;

(k) The owner of a motorized bicycle may, subject to the approval of the commissioner, apply for registration and registration plates for such motorized bicycle. The commissioner shall by regulation provide for the manner in which such single applications are to be made and the conditions under which they may be allowed; however, this provision shall not be construed as granting the commissioner authority to issue such registration and plates on any basis other than as is required in this chapter. Each applicant for registration under this provision shall be charged the same registration taxes imposed on Class (A) motor vehicles by § 55-4-111.

(2) "Motor bicycle" means a motorized bicycle as defined in § 55-8-101;

(3) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle that is self-propelled, excluding motorized bicycles and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires. "Motor vehicle" means any low speed vehicle as defined in this section. "Motor vehicle" means any mobile home or house trailer as defined in § 55-1-105;

[Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 2 (Williams, § 5538.102); Acts 1963, ch. 143, § 1; 1979, ch. 247, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-103; Acts 1981, ch. 448, § 1; 1985, ch. 283, § 1; 1986, ch. 804, § 1; 2000, ch. 606, § 2; 2002, ch. 747, § 1.]

Hopefully, the information was helpful to all whom are interested. If any further clarification and/or discussion are needed, I would be glad to assist you in any way that I can. Please feel free to post your questions and/or comments.