General Question

Ltryptophan's avatar

What types of vehicles can potentially be used in public places without any licenses?

Asked by Ltryptophan (12091points) January 29th, 2012

I ask this because I think that machines that assist with walking are not far off. It is not to absurd to think that these ambulatory augmentations will create some safety concerns. That’s where licenses come in.

What are the parameters for vehicle use at our own discretion without need for permission or licensing by the government?

For instance stilts, bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, etc. Maybe something that bounces, a pogo stick….an inflated rubber ball that can be driven…a skateboard…roller skates…

What if one of these simple types of transportation added sufficient speed to make them dangerous? Maybe the razor scooter craze is a good example. Aren’t there motorized razor scooters? Are those something you need a license for?

Where and what are the rules governing what types of transportation is regulated?

I know that you can fly things under a certain altitude without a license for starters.

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3 Answers

HungryGuy's avatar

I think licenses will be required for the safety of everyone else, but those licenses will have to be much less stringent than for a car.

After all, many of the people who will be using such devices will be the elderly (who sometimes suffer from dementia and other disabilities) who can’t obtain a “real” driver license. But these people shouldn’t be locked out of technology that will give them mobility. So tolerance and compromises will have to be made.

HungryGuy (16039points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
zenvelo's avatar

Are you talking about licensing the user or the vehicle.?

It’s not the licensing that’s needed so much as restricting where they can be used. For instance, in San Francisco, Segways are not allowed on sidewalks. California generally restricts bicycles from sidewalks unless specifically signed, although that isn’t enforced for kids. Same with scooters and skateboards.

I think the current level of licensing is just fine as it is.

zenvelo (39429points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
Zaku's avatar

I find myself wondering in what way licensing helps. I think it often does not help, reduces freedom, adds a lot of pain in the keester, and serves some corrupt purposes.

It seems to me that the purpose of protecting the public could be served by having penalties for actually causing harm, rather than licenses.

Zaku (30354points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…

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