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New South Carolina moped laws in effect

Mopeds must be registered with state or you could be ticketed

Columbia, SC (WLTX) — All South Carolina mopeds must have a license plate and be registered like a vehicle starting Monday, November 19.

Registration opened earlier this month and so far, nearly 1,400 mopeds are registered, according to state officials.

Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Lauren Phillips says it'll make drivers accountable.

“Because those mopeds now are required to have a valid license plate, from a law enforcement officer's perspective, if they run that tag for any reason, that should come back to the owner of that moped. So, it links the two together. Previously, there was no link,” Phillips said on Monday.

To register, you'll need to bring $10, a completed application, and proof of ownership to your local DMV.

The change also requires driver's to be at least 15-years-old and have either a moped license or regular driver's license.

Along with mopeds, Highway Patrol Corporal Sonny Collins explained existing rules about other slower vehicles like golf carts.

“As long as you're on a secondary road within four miles of your house and the speed limits are under 35 miles per hour for that road, you can go up and down those roads as long as you meet those criteria,” Collins said.

Golf cart drivers must also be at least 16 with a regular driver's license.

New penalties for golf cart driving violations went into effect on Monday. Violations are a misdemeanor punishable with fines or less than 30 days in jail.

But, Collins said it's important to stay safe on either golf carts or mopeds.

“If you're going to be out on these slower moving vehicles on the road, make yourself as visible as you can with lights, reflective clothing, bright colors, anything to make yourself seen, which is going to make yourself so much safer,” Collins added.

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