California

Motorcycle:

“a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and
is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground per California Vehicle Code (CVC) 400 (a) and whose motor displaces more than 150 cubic centimeters (150cc).”

Motor-Driven Cycle:

“a motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150cc per CVC 405.”

Moped or Motorized Bicycle:

“any two or three wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, has an automatic transmission, and a motor which produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.”

_{(Source: https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/california-motorcyclist-safety/motorcycles-andsimilar-vehicles)}

	Licensing	Minimum Age	Registration	Insurance	Helmet
Motorcycle	M1	16	Required	Liability insurance required	Required
Motor-Driven Cycle	M1	16	Required	Liability insurance required	Required
Moped or Motorized Bicycle	M2 (Motorized bicycles, mopeds, and motorized scooters)	16	Required	Not required for registration	Required

_{(Sources: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/motorcycles-mopeds-and-scooters;
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-a-motorcycle;
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/motorcycle-driver-handbook-pdf;
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/california-driver-handbook-pdf)}