A few important DMV rules & regulations:

MOPEDS AND MOTORCYCLES

801.345 Moped. Moped means a vehicle, including any bicycle equipped with a power source, other than an electric assisted bicycle as defined in ORS 801.258 or a motor assisted scooter as defined in ORS 801.348, that complies with all of the following:

(1) It is designed to be operated on the ground upon wheels.

(2) It has a seat or saddle for use of the rider.

(3) It is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

(4) It is equipped with an independent power source that:

(a) Is capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a level road surface; and

(b) If the power source is a combustion engine, has a piston or rotor displacement of 35.01 to 50 cubic centimeters regardless of the number of chambers in the power source.

(5) It is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the system is engaged. [1983 c.338 59; 1985 c.16 19; 1997 c.400 5; 2001 c.749 25]

801.365 Motorcycle. Motorcycle means any self-propelled vehicle other than a moped or farm tractor that:

(1) Has a seat or saddle for use of the rider;

(2) Is designed to be operated on the ground upon wheels; and

(3) Is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact
with the ground. [1983 c.338 63]

801.366 Motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmet means a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the outer shell and a chin-strap type retention system with a sticker indicating that the motorcycle helmet meets standards established by the United States Department of Transportation. [1995 c.4922]

814.260 Failure of moped operator to wear motorcycle helmet; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of failure of a moped rider to wear a motorcycle helmet if the person:

(a) Operates or rides on a moped; and

(b) Is not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

(2) Exemptions from this section are established under ORS 814.290.

(3) This section does not permit passengers on mopeds in violation of ORS 814.330 or 814.340.

(4) The offense described in this section, failure of a moped rider to wear a motorcycle helmet, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 691; 1985 c.16 331; 1987 c.910 4; 1995 c.492 3]

814.269 Failure of motorcycle operator to wear motorcycle helmet; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of failure of a motorcycle operator to wear a motorcycle helmet if the person operates a motorcycle and is not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

(2) Exemptions from this section are established in ORS 814.290.

(3) The offense described in this section, failure of a motorcycle operator to wear a motorcycle helmet, is a Class D traffic violation. [1987 c.910 2; 1995 c.492 4]

814.275 Failure of motorcycle passenger to wear motorcycle helmet; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of failure of a motorcycle passenger to wear a motorcycle helmet if the person rides as a passenger on a motorcycle and is not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

(2) Exemptions from this section are established in ORS 814.290.

(3) The offense described in this section, failure of a motorcycle passenger to wear a motorcycle helmet, is a Class D traffic violation. [1987 c.910 3; 1989 c.283 1; 1995 c.492 5]

814.280 Endangering motorcycle passenger; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of endangering a motorcycle passenger if the person is operating a motorcycle and the person carries another person on the motorcycle who is not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

(2) Exemptions from this section are established under ORS 814.290.

(3) The offense described in this section, endangering a motorcycle passenger, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 692; 1987 c.910 5; 1995 c.492 6]

814.320 Failure to display lighted headlights; exceptions; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of failure to display lighted headlights on a moped or motorcycle at all times, if the person operates a moped or motorcycle and does not display lights and illuminated devices specified under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 at all times the motorcycle or moped is upon a highway.

(2) A person may use modulating headlights described under ORS 816.050 during daylight without violating this section, but a person who uses such modulating headlights during limited visibility conditions is in violation of this section.

(3) This section does not apply when specific exceptions with respect to parked vehicles are made under ORS 811.525.

(4) A court may dismiss, without penalty, any charge for violation of this section if the court determines that:

(a) The violation was caused by a malfunction of equipment; and

(b) The equipment that malfunctioned and caused the violation has been repaired or replaced.

(5) The offense described in this section, failure to display lighted headlights on a moped or motorcycle at all times, is a Class B
traffic violation. [1983 c.338 695; 1985 c.16 332]

814.325 Carrying passenger on motorcycle; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of unlawfully carrying a passenger on a motorcycle if the person does any of the following:

(a) Carries on a motorcycle a person who is not seated on a permanent and regular seat, if the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, or upon another seat attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operators seat.

(b) Carries a person in a position that interferes with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the operators view.

(c) Carries a person, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, on a motorcycle with no footrests for that person.

(2) The offense described in this section, unlawfully carrying a passenger on a motorcycle, is a Class B traffic violation. [1987 c.138 8]