I have a large push scooter which has space for an engine, and last month me and my brother built a 2-stroke 49cc engine on to the scooter.
It now goes at about 30mph. I want to know about the law relating to one of these, and the usual action taken by police.
I know that because it is a 鈥榤echanically propelled vehicle鈥?I can鈥檛 use it on public roads (unless taxed, insured, licensed etc.) but I usually take it to the shops on quiet residential roads. What does the law say about this? What powers do the police have if they see me using it, and what do the police usually do in these situations? I know there is often a big difference between what the police can do, and what they usually choose to do.
Thank you. Sorry I don't think my question was clear enough... (maybe too long)... this is what I really want to know:
What does the law say about this crime? What powers do the police have if they see me using it, and what do the police usually do in these situations?
PS. I don't have a driving license, I鈥檓 only 15.
Thanks. Hey, I see you have received a lot of crap answers from people telling you that it's 'illegal' when you said yourself that you know that!
You know it's illegal as it is not officially road worthy, no MOT pass, no insurance and no tax for the government either.
The odds are that if the police see you using the scooter, (a thin frame with a little engine and no seat), they're give you a strict verbal warning the first time and make you freewheel it home, maybe under supervision.
A stricter policeman may take your details, take the scooter and take you back to your parents and inform them of the seriousness of the matter - and file for the scooter to be crushed.
It is extremely unlikely, although not impossible, that the police will charge you with the criminal offense of driving an unlicensed motor vehicle without a driver鈥檚 license, as you're only a kid and it's only a little scooter. The instructions to most police are to simply file a report and send it to be crushed, you'll be charged for the crushing 鈥?no more then 拢60.
If I were you, and the police saw me riding it, I鈥檇 cut the engine and say that I鈥檓 pushing it by foot and that the engine is not engaged. However they鈥檒l feel the heat and may say that they saw me going at 30mph鈥?in which case I鈥檒l apologise and promise not to do it again and try and get them to let me walk it home. If I see police coming with a vengeance, I鈥檇 leave the engine on and leg it away to safety, leaving the engine on is important as police are required to stop and disengage it, and ensure the area is safe. It鈥檒l be crushed but no extra fine or police report on me.
Hope this helps. you are not allowed to use them anywhere on the roads or footpaths , they have the powers to take it and crush it , but they do not have the balls to do that , what would do if you hit a child and badly injured it most cities have instructed cops not to chase people on those scooters cuz it will cause an accident. if your in the fascist subburbs ur @ssed out A quiet residential road is a public road unless it is actually privately owned. Taking it to the shops will involve going on a public road and it is illegal to drive something like that unless it is road vehicle and you have the licence tax insurance etc for it. The police, if you are caught, will throw the book at you. DONT DO IT!! You've answered your own question, if you get caught it's driving other than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and no test certificate.
You will be banned from driving for at least a year. This is actually quite a serious offence. You would probably face a fine if caught however just imagine the consequences if you injured someone while using it. They crush them simple as that! you should not drive this thing on the road full stop,
be very careful, when we was 15 me and my friends put a engine on a go-cart, or boggy, it was great fun we took it to the local park and was driving up and down.
after some time a number of other kids from around where we lived had seen us and wandered over asking for a go, so we let them after about 2 hours this kid of 13 had a go, he lost control and went into the long grass and hit a tree stump, the engine broke free and as it was fixed behind the drivers seat it kinda rolled over the top of him, covering him in petrol and then with a flash he just burst into flames.
i will never for get the sound of that boy screaming, as he ran around in a ball of flames, we all ran down the park to get to him but he was to far away, lucky for him a motorist had just stopped on the side of the park where he was and ran to him and put out the flames using his jacket.
the man suffered burns to his hands and face but he probably saved the life of little Paul Cullen that day, Paul suffered 40% burns and spent years having painful operations to his back shoulders and head, he is still horrifically scared and i cant help feeling guilty and blame my self for what happened.
so please be careful what might seem like harmless fun can end up being life changing.. The outcome of being caught riding the vehicle could be that the vehicle is crushed, you would be fined and maybe (it is possible, but unlikely) get a short jail time.
The purpose of insurance is not to protect yourself, but to protect those who you may crash into. Riding a scooter when uninsured, unlicensed and untaxed is a very stupid thing to do. If you use an unlicensed motorbike on the road, you will have it taken off you. Force standing orders are also to prosecute everyone who doesn't have insurance, so you will end up in court. Paul, you sound like a bright kid, so hopefully you will take notice of the advice given;
You are right, in that it is a mechanically propelled vehicle. You would need all the documents like any other MPV. Even quiet residential streets are roads and off limits for you. Pavements are also included in the definition of a road.
If I stopped you riding the bike I have a couple of options;
1. If you are a decent kid I speak to your father and he disposes of the bike, allowing you to escape being prosecuted (i.e having a warning or a reprimand).
2. I seize the bike and have it recovered (I have the power to remove any MPV where the driver has no licence or insurance). It costs 拢105 pounds for the initial recovery and 拢12 for every day in storage. You also need a licence and insurance to get it back. No insurance company would insure the bike!!!! You get a warning or a reprimand for driving other than in accordance with a licence (no licence) and no insurance.
It is also an offence to ride this bike on common land.
The only place you can ride it is on private land.
If I were you get rid of it. When you are 16 get a road legal scooter and stay legal.
Hope this is of some help
Edit - Localzuk - Jail time????? Not for document offences in these circumstances.. Never!! Please don't answer questions if you don't know what your'e talking about. Stick to giving advice on computers - obviously something you do know very well. |
