It’s hot summer weather, the sun is out and the price at the pump is up. Many people have left their car in the driveway and taken to riding their scooters, motorcycles and four-wheelers on the streets.

Kari Jones with the Richland County Treasurer’s Office says that this year there has been a definite increase in the amount of scooter and four-wheeler registrations as compared with last year.

With this influx, it is important to understand applicable rules.

In order to make a four-wheeler street legal, the vehicle must be registered. An application form may be picked up at the treasurer’s office. The vehicle must meet a list of requirements, and a $90 fee must be paid.

“They need a license to be street legal,” Chief of Police Frank DiFonzo said. It does not matter if the vehicle does not require a specific endorsement, the driver of any vehicle must have a valid driver’s license.

“Four-wheelers are no longer required to have an endorsement, but they must still have a valid operator’s license,” program supervisor for Montana’s Motor Vehicle Department Patrick McJannet said.

For scooters and motorcycles, laws are different. A valid driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement are required to drive any two- or three-wheel motor vehicle three wheel vehicle on streets. McJannet explained the only exception to this rule is a moped if it fits the definition of a bicycle. According to Montana statute, a bicycle is either 1. a vehicle propelled solely by human power...that has two tandem wheels, or 2. a vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion and an independent power source providing a maximum of two brake horsepower.

Unless the two wheel vehicle fits the above description, a motorcycle endorsement is needed. To obtain the endorsement, the operator must pass the motorcycle written knowledge test and skills test.

DiFonzo encourages people to call in any violations to the laws that they witness.

For more information or to pick up an application for vehicle registration, visit the treasurer’s office located in the courthouse.