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Missouri

What Missouri law says about riding an electric dirt bike, question by question. 6 of 6 answered from official text. Where the state has no rule on a question, the page says "No statewide rule found" and what the law does cover.

Published

Reviewed . Sources: RSMo § 304.001(9)(a)f., g., (b)h.; RSMo § 301.010(1); 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (B), (L); 10 CSR 90-2.010(1)(O)1.; RSMo § 301.707.1; RSMo § 301.010(1); 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (D); RSMo § 304.013.4(3); RSMo § 301.010(1); 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (I); RSMo § 301.705.4; RSMo § 301.010(1); RSMo § 301.010(36), (38); RSMo § 301.020.1; RSMo § 302.020.1(2), 2; RSMo § 301.010(15).

The answers

Is an electric dirt bike an off-highway vehicle?

As used in chapters 304 and 307, Missouri defines an off-road vehicle as any vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, ice, snow, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain without benefit of a road or trail. The list of what that includes names motorcycles, trail bikes, minibikes and related vehicles, and any other means of transportation deriving power from any source other than muscle or wind; the list of what it excludes names electric bicycles. The separate all-terrain vehicle definition is written for vehicles traveling on three, four or more nonhighway tires.

RSMo § 304.001(9)(a)f., g., (b)h.; RSMo § 301.010(1), checked . Official text for Missouri, RSMo § 304.001(9)(a)f., g., (b)h.; RSMo § 301.010(1), external site

What it needs to ride public off-road land

No statewide rule found

No statewide off-road registration, decal or permit rule found. The state registration statute is written for all-terrain vehicles, which the statute defines as traveling on three, four or more nonhighway tires. A state park rule covers only the off-road vehicle (ORV) areas located in Finger Lakes and St. Joe state parks: it names ATVs and motorcycles as the vehicles operated there, under an ATV definition that includes motorcycles designed for off-road operation, and it requires a use permit for each ORV operated in the ORV area, with the types of permits and the permit fee set by the director.

That is not the same as no rule: land managers, local governments and tracks set their own, so ask whoever manages the ground before you ride.

What we read: 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (B), (L); 10 CSR 90-2.010(1)(O)1.; RSMo § 301.707.1; RSMo § 301.010(1), checked . Official text for Missouri, 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (B), (L); 10 CSR 90-2.010(1)(O)1.; RSMo § 301.707.1; RSMo § 301.010(1), external site

Helmet rule off-road

No statewide rule found

No statewide off-road helmet rule found. The state statute cited is written for all-terrain vehicles, defined as traveling on three, four or more nonhighway tires: no person may operate one without a securely fastened safety helmet unless the individual is at least eighteen years of age. A state park rule covers only the off-road vehicle (ORV) areas located in Finger Lakes and St. Joe state parks, where operators of ATVs and motorcycles must wear protective helmets that meet United States Department of Transportation or ANSI Z90.1 certification.

That is not the same as no rule: land managers, local governments and tracks set their own, so ask whoever manages the ground before you ride.

What we read: 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (D); RSMo § 304.013.4(3); RSMo § 301.010(1), checked . Official text for Missouri, 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (D); RSMo § 304.013.4(3); RSMo § 301.010(1), external site

Age and supervision rules for young riders

No statewide rule found

No statewide age, supervision or training rule for operating an off-road motorcycle found. The state statute cited is written for all-terrain vehicles, defined as traveling on three, four or more nonhighway tires: no person under the age of sixteen may operate one unless accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian, or of an adult authorized by the parent or guardian, except on private property owned by the parent or guardian. A state park rule covers only the off-road vehicle (ORV) areas located in Finger Lakes and St. Joe state parks, where operators under sixteen years of age and/or unlicensed operators must have direct supervision of a licensed adult while operating a motorcycle or ATV.

That is not the same as no rule: land managers, local governments and tracks set their own, so ask whoever manages the ground before you ride.

What we read: 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (I); RSMo § 301.705.4; RSMo § 301.010(1), checked . Official text for Missouri, 10 CSR 90-2.030(25)(A), (I); RSMo § 301.705.4; RSMo § 301.010(1), external site

Riding it on public roads

Missouri's registration and licensing statutes are written for vehicles on the highways. A motorcycle is defined as a motor vehicle operated on two wheels, and a motor vehicle as any self-propelled vehicle not operated exclusively upon tracks, except farm tractors and electric bicycles. Every owner of a motor vehicle which shall be operated or driven upon the highways of the state must, except as the chapter otherwise expressly provides, file an application for registration each year. Unless otherwise provided by law, and except for persons expressly exempted by section 302.080, it is unlawful to operate a motorcycle upon any highway without a valid license showing a passed motorcycle examination. Every person under twenty-six operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle upon any highway must wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion, as must a person twenty-six or older operating one on an instruction permit.

RSMo § 301.010(36), (38); RSMo § 301.020.1; RSMo § 302.020.1(2), 2, checked . Official text for Missouri, RSMo § 301.010(36), (38); RSMo § 301.020.1; RSMo § 302.020.1(2), 2, external site

Where the e-bike definition stops

Missouri defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a saddle or seat for the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that meets one of three classes. Class 1 and Class 3 motors assist only when the rider is pedaling and cease to assist at twenty and twenty-eight miles per hour respectively; a Class 2 motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches twenty miles per hour.

RSMo § 301.010(15), checked . Official text for Missouri, RSMo § 301.010(15), external site

Before you ride

This page restates state law in plain words and links the text it came from. It is not legal advice. Cities, counties and the agencies that manage federal land (the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service) add rules of their own, so check with whoever manages the ground you plan to ride.

For a young rider, the before-you-ride checker puts the helmet and age rules first.

Official riding areas and the permits Missouri asks for: where to ride in Missouri.

Statutes change. Each answer carries the date it was checked; the page is re-checked at least every 180 days and says "Review due" if that slips.

Other states