2019 US Virgin Islands Code
Title 20 - Highways and Motor Vehicles
Part II - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 41 - Equipment and Inspection of Vehicles
§ 465. Motorcycles, motor scooters and mopeds

(a) The term “motorcycle”, as used in this section, means every motor vehicle, including motor scooters and mopeds, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding tractors.

(b) Every motorcycle, operated or driven upon the public highways, shall be equipped with adequate brakes in good working order and sufficient to control such motorcycle at all times, when in use, and a suitable and adequate bell, horn, or other device, for signalling, and shall, during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, display one lighted lamp in front and one on the rear, or when such motorcycle is operated with a passenger or other truck attached to the side or front, two such lamps on the front and on the rear; and every motorcycle shall also be equipped with a red light visible from the rear. Every motorcycle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and excessive fumes or smoke, and no person may use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. The unnecessary racing of engines, and the making of unreasonable and unnecessary noise is strictly prohibited.

(c) No person may operate a motorcycle, on which the handle bars are more than fifteen inches higher than the seat or saddle for the operator.

(d) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator may not carry any other person nor may any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which case a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator.

(e) After July 1, 1968, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears a protective helmet, meeting specifications established by the Commissioner. Such helmet must be equipped with either a neck or a chin strap, and must be secured during operation of the motorcycle.

(f) The Commissioner is hereby authorized to adopt and amend regulations with respect to uses of and specifications required for brakes, lights, signalling devices, mufflers and protective helmets. Such regulations shall become effective as law upon approval by the Governor.