After its launch, Honda Grom caught attention due to its affordability, fuel efficiency, and performance. Despite the lightweight and smaller structure, it is a fun motorcycle to ride. But what does the law say about Honda Grom?
Is the Honda Grom street-legal? Yes, Honda Grom is street-legal as long as you are talking about city roads. If you go to freeways or interstates, Honda Grom can be street-legal in many states. But in a few states, Honda Grom isn’t legal to ride on freeways or interstates.
So, it requires a little digging to find out where the Honda Grom is street-legal. Also, check if you need a license to ride it.
Is the Honda Grom Street Legal?
There is no minimum displacement limit for motorcycles on city roads. And the law is the same everywhere. So, Honda Grom is undoubtedly street-legal on city roads.
Problems occur when you enter limited-access roads. These roads usually have a minimum displacement limit of 50 cc. It means your motorcycle should have at least a 50 cc engine to enter the freeway. As the displacement of the Honda Grom is well over 50 cc, which is 124 cc, it will be fine to drive in most states.
However, the minimum displacement limit changes in some states. Here is an example of how the displacement limit changes in different states.
- California: According to the California Vehicle Code 400(a), motorcycles must have a displacement of 150 cc or higher. Honda Grom fails to meet that requirement. So, it won’t be street-legal on highways in California. But there is no problem in driving the Honda Grom on city roads.
- Florida: The state law of Florida has separate sections for expressway driving. According to the law, no motorcycles with a displacement of 150 cc or less can enter the expressways. So, Honda Grom won’t be street-legal here. But it is street-legal on Florida city roads.
Another popular miniMoto from Honda is the Honda Navi, which won’t be street-legal here either. You can check the Honda Navi vs. Grom comparison to find out which one is better.
- Michigan: According to the MCL 257.679a, no one can operate a motorcycle that has a displacement of less than 125 cc on limited access highways.
Though the Honda Grom is commonly known as a 125-cc motorcycle, its actual engine displacement is 123.9 cc. Technically, it isn’t legal to ride on limited-access highways in Michigan. For other roads, Honda Grom is legal.
So, you see, Honda Grom may not be street-legal on highways or freeways in many states. It is better to check the local motorcycle regulations before driving a Honda Grom on highways.
Overview of the Street Legality of Honda Grom in Different States
Check if the Honda Grom is legal on city roads and expressways in these states.
| State | City Roads | Highways/Expressways |
| Alabama | Legal | Legal |
| Alaska | Legal | Legal |
| Arizona | Legal | Not Legal |
| Arkansas | Legal | Not Legal |
| California | Legal | Not Legal |
| Colorado | Legal | Not Legal |
| Florida | Legal | Not Legal |
| Illinois | Legal | Not Legal |
| Michigan | Legal | Not Legal |
| New York | Legal | Not Legal |
| Ohio | Legal | Legal |
| Texas | Legal | Not Legal |
| Washington | Legal | Not Legal |
FAQs
Many riders ask the following questions about the legality of the Honda Grom. I wanted to answer the questions for clarification.
Q: Can a 15-year-old ride a Honda Grom?
In many states, 15-year-old riders can take the test for a motorcycle license. However, some states may require the rider to be 18 years old.
Q: Are there any specific speed limits for a Honda Grom?
No. If you are riding a Honda Grom on city streets, you should follow the given speed limits. Some freeways may have a minimum speed limit. But those freeways have specific engine requirements where the Honda Grom may not be allowed to enter.
Final Words
Driving a motorcycle, no matter how small it is, always requires attention to the local laws. Violating the regulations will result in fines. If you have a Honda Grom or want to buy one, it is crucial to check the legality of the motorcycle. So, is the Honda Grom street-legal?
Yes, it is street legal when you mean city streets. All states permit motorcycles over 50cc on streets. However, different states have different laws regarding freeways or expressways. In some states, the Honda Grom isn’t street legal on highways because the minimum displacement limit is 125/150cc in those states. The requirement for a license can also vary depending on the state.