Jonathan Hall Uncovers: New scooter regulations

In a troubling recession, with gas prices on the rise again, mopeds and scooters are a popular alternative.
 
Doug Bennet, scooter owner
"I love this scooter because I get 60 to 100 miles per gallon."
    
One drawback, police say they are easy to steal and even harder to track down. 
 
A 7News investigation found that's because the registry wasn't sharing information with police on who the rightful owners are.
 
Officer Tom Shea, Brookline Police Dept. (September 2008)
"If they treated scooters the way they treat motor vehicles in Massachusetts, this issue would, it wouldn't be as great as it is. These scooters are being stolen constantly."
 
Owners of scooters and mopeds are required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to pay $40 for a two year registration. But here's the problem, see that number right there? It's not in any police database. The cops can't tell if it's stolen.
 
The Registry promised change and it's here.
 
As of July 31st, there are new rules in effect, forcing many scooter owners to get license plates when their sticker expires.
 
According to the new regulations, certain scooters that can travel at speeds between 31 and 40 miles an hour are now being designated as 'limited use vehicles.' That means they will have to be licensed and insured.
 
Jonathan Hall, 7News
"Will the roads be safer now?"
 
Rachel Kaprielian, Registrar of Motor Vehicles
"The roads will be safer as long as we know that people driving these higher speed vehicles will be able to track them, know who they are and ensure they are adhering to the rules of the road."
 
Even with the license plates, these scooters will still be banned from roads with higher speed limits like highways.
 
But now the plates will allow police to find owner info on stolen scooters.
         
Rachel Kaprielian, Registrar of Motor Vehicles
"It's in a database. You're able to pull it up through our system and you'll be able to know who that driver, who that vehicle's registered to."
 
Even though the license plates may make it easier for police, the new law is creating some problems for scooter owners.
 
First there's confusion about which scooters will need the new plates.
 
Steven Gigliotti, Scooters Go Green Owner
"We called the Registry and they were not clear."
 
Registry officials admit they will not have manufacturer information on how fast each scooter can go.
 
They are leaving it up to owners to be honest about speed capabilities for their model of scooter.
 
Ed Perlmutter, scooter owner
"The Registry's operation with these, with registering them, is a little loosey-goosey."
 
Also, there are changes in licensing requirements.
 
Some scooter owners will have to get a special motorcycle license if their scooter's paperwork classifies it as a "motor driven cycle."
 
And finally, there are concerns about parking. 
 
Ed Perlmutter, scooter owner
"I love the fact that I can park on the sidewalk."
 
But the city of Boston normally tickets vehicles with license plates $65 for parking on a sidewalk.
 
Faced with this controversy, the city is making an exception for scooters, for now, while they try to figure out a long term parking plan.
 
Registry of Motor Vehicle Information on New Regulations
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/alerts/green_vehicles.htm

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