• Riding a motorized scooter on a road or highway is prohibited.boy on scooter image by Svetlana Tikhonova from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, handlebars, a footboard and an electric or gas motor comprise the standard equipment for motorized scooters. Some include added features such as a removable seat, lights and turn signals, mirrors and a horn. On May 8, 2002, the state's legislature amended the state's laws to address "Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices," i.e., EPAMD. The state deems EPAMDs unroadworthy, and riding one on a road or highway is prohibited.
  
  

Amendment

• According to the Tennessee Code, an "Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device" is a one-person, self-balancing, two-wheeled device with a 750-watt or one horsepower motor with a maximum speed of 20 mph or less.
  
  Although commonly called motor or motorized scooters, the state separated EPAMDs from the motor scooters defined by the state as motor-driven cycles with a 125-cc motor or less.
  
  

Regulations

• The state permits riding an EPAMD--or motorized scooters in common terms--only on private property with permission. Using a scooter on any portion of a road, highway or road shoulder is prohibited.
  
  When operated during the one-half hour period before sunrise or after sunset, the state requires side, front and rear reflectors and a white headlamp on the scooter or the rider. The headlamp must be visible to a distance of 300 feet from the front and sides.
  
  Riders must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and human-powered devices such as skates, skateboards and bicycles.
  
  The transportation department is authorized to prohibit riding in some areas due to safety concerns.
  
  

Penalty

• Using a motorized scooter or similar device or vehicle on highways and roadways is prohibited in the state of Tennessee. They may be used on sidewalks in cities or towns that permit them or in specially-designated areas set aside by local authorities.
  
  Operating on a roadway or highway is a Class C misdemeanor.
  
  

Safety

• The Department of Safety recommends the use of a helmet, sturdy shoes, elbow pads and kneepads when operating a motor scooter. According to the department, using wrist guards can make it difficult to grip the handle and steer and should be avoided.
  
  The department recommends individuals be at least 12 years old to ride a motorized scooter.
  
  Avoid riding in gravel and on uneven pavement. Riding around either can cause accidents.
  
  Nighttime riding should be avoided. The rider is unable to see where she is going, and others are incapable of seeing her.