RALEIGH -- As Raleigh residents Robert Hancock and Roosevelt Harrington work to put the new plates on their respective mopeds Wednesday afternoon, both say they agree that the new license plate and registration process is a win--win for the DMV and motorists.
"I love it. It's a safe thing. Everybody should have plates on their bikes. Everybody should have registration and insurance,” said Hancock.
The DMV headquarters was packed Wednesday afternoon as hundred went to purchase the new moped plates.
Department of Transportation Spokesperson Steve Abbott says the DMV has asked law enforcement to allow a one month grace period so moped riders have some extra time to buy the plates.
"They're 25,000 moped operators who need to go into the office and get registered and one point for that is if you have to have a driver's license or a state ID to register, there's probably quite a few people who operate mopeds who don't have either,” said Abbott.
And state law enforcement will be issuing 30 day warning tickets to make sure the DMV has time to get the word out.
The State Highway Patrol is implementing an even longer extension.
"Written warnings will be given through the next 60 days and stop those individuals, educate them. Tell them what they need to do,” said Lt. Jeff Gordon with the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Mopeds are not allowed on roads where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or faster. Also, riders will be required to carry liability insurance beginning July 2016.
Click on the link below for more information regarding moped requirements: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/title/vehicles/.