Pocket bikes are like regular motorcycles but tiny in size. Their beginnings mirror that of go-carts, guys with leftover parts in their garages and too much time on their hands turned their passion for building things into pocket bikes.
For the most part, pocket bikes are not street legal in the United States. Although specific laws vary from state to state, most models do not met the necessary requirements and are therefore illegal for use on public roadways. The limiting factors are often size requirements since more states require the seat of a motorcycle to be at least 25 inches off the ground. There are a number of violations they can get you o. Just to name a few, pocket bikes don’t have indicator lights for night driving. Since they’re so slimmed down, these mini bikes don’t have rearview mirrors or horns or signaling lights for turns. They do not have plates since the states won’t allow the bikes to be registered for a number of reasons and unregistered vehicles cannot be operated on the public streets. The mufflers are too small to guard against noise pollution, and they cannot be insured. Just being on the street on a pocket bike is considered reckless driving. All these factors, among others, could warrant a ticket up to $2,200.
Some models of larger “super” pocket bikes, with headlights, turn signals, brake lights, a horn and speedometer meet nearly all the requirements and can be registered in most states for legal street use. In most cases the only modification is adding a rearview mirror and brackets for a license plate. Some states will allow you to register the bike as a unique/homebuilt, if there are only minor modifications needed to meet the requirements.
When using a pocket bike on public roadways, it is treated much the same way as a motorcycle and the rider much have some form of insurance. The bikes are also required to go through regular inspections and the rider must wear a helmet. Some states will classify the pocket bikes as mopeds while other considers the pocket bikes full motorcycles. If it is classified as a regular motorcycle, then a special motorcycle license is required. Otherwise a regular drivers license will be enough.
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