NYPD Seized My Moped or E-Scooter: How Do I Get It Back?
Short answer: In most cases, you can't get a moped or e-scooter back from the NYPD until the summons case that came with the seizure is over. Once it is, you bring your property voucher, your ID and proof of ownership to the NYPD property clerk. If the police never gave you a voucher, getting it back is much harder.
The first step is the summons. SummonsPros resolves moped and e-scooter summonses for a flat fee starting at $350, and in most cases you don't have to go to court. Hire SummonsPros.
I'm a former Brooklyn prosecutor, and I now defend people on these summonses. Moped seizures are one of the most frustrating things I see: people lose a vehicle they paid good money for, they're handed a summons, and nobody explains how any of it works. Here's what I'd tell a friend.
Why did the NYPD take my moped?
Usually because it wasn't registered. New York treats mopeds as "limited use motorcycles," and the DMV's moped rules are clear: "You must have a driver license and register your moped to drive it on streets and highways." Class A and Class B mopeds also need insurance. And the DMV says "Only a certified model of limited use motorcycle can get a registration in New York State," so some mopeds can't be registered at all.
E-bikes and e-scooters are different. The DMV's e-bike and e-scooter page treats them as vehicles that don't get registered, but they come with speed limits and rules about where you can ride.
The city has been aggressive about this. According to the Mayor's Office, the NYPD confiscated 27,710 illegal and unregistered motorized scooters, bikes and ATVs in 2024 alone.
What summons comes with a moped seizure?
In my cases, the most common charge is VTL 401, operating an unregistered vehicle. Sometimes it's VTL 509, driving without a license. Sometimes it's both.
Either way, you have a summons with a court date, and it has to be dealt with. If you're not sure what kind of summons you have or what to do first, start with what to do after you get a pink summons in NYC.
Why can't I get my moped back right away?
Because the NYPD is holding it in connection with your case. Until the case is disposed of, you generally can't get your property back at all.
There's also a deadline once the case ends. The NYPD's own vehicle return page says that when property is being held for a case, you must demand it "no later than 120 days after the termination of the criminal proceedings." Miss that window and you can lose your property for good.
So the clock on getting your moped back doesn't really start until your summons is resolved. The sooner the case is over, the sooner you can go get it.
How do I get my moped back from the NYPD?
Once the case is over, here's the process:
Find your property voucher. This is the receipt the officer should have given you when the moped was taken. It has the invoice number the NYPD uses to track your property.
Gather your documents. The NYPD's list for vehicles includes a copy of the property voucher, proof of ownership (it lists the certificate of title) and proper identification. Bring your registration, insurance card and purchase receipt too, if you have them.
Go to the precinct and the NYPD property clerk. Bring your voucher to the precinct or the property clerk's office. The voucher should show where your property is being held.
Sending someone else? The NYPD requires a notarized letter from you, the owner, authorizing them to pick it up.
Be ready for a run-around. People are often sent from the precinct to the property clerk and back again. Bring copies of everything, write down who you spoke to, and keep going.
Get the summons resolved so you can start the clock. We handle moped and e-scooter summonses for a flat fee, and in most cases you never set foot in court. See how SummonsPros works, or hire SummonsPros now.
What if the police didn't give me a voucher?
This is the hard truth: if the police took your property and didn't give you a voucher, you are unlikely to ever get it back. The voucher is your proof that the NYPD has your property. Without it, there's often no record to point to.
This isn't just about mopeds. It applies to anything the police take from you: a phone, a bag, a speaker, cash. If something is taken:
Ask for a voucher on the spot. Politely, but ask.
Write everything down right away: the officer's name and shield number, the precinct, the date, the time, the location, and exactly what was taken.
Photograph your property whenever you can, and keep your receipts. Proof of what you owned and what it was worth matters later.
Will the NYPD destroy my moped?
It can happen. The NYPD's property return page says that if property isn't claimed in time, it "may be disposed of by the Police Department Property Clerk according to law." And the city has publicly announced that it sends hundreds of seized illegal two-wheeled vehicles to be destroyed. Don't sit on your case or miss your deadlines.
Can a lawyer get my moped back for me?
Here's how we can help. Our flat fee covers resolving the summons, which is the step that has to happen before you can get your property back. Recovering the property from the NYPD is a separate process, and it isn't included in the flat fee. If you want a lawyer's help with that part, we can do it at our hourly rate.
Common questions about moped seizures and summonses
Do I have to go to court for a VTL 401 summons?
In most cases, no. With the judge's permission, a lawyer can appear for you. There are occasional exceptions, and we'll tell you up front if one applies to you. More on whether a lawyer can go to court for you.
If I register the moped now, will I get it back?
Registering it helps, but it doesn't guarantee anything. You'll still need the case resolved, your voucher and proof of ownership. Some mopeds can't be registered at all, because the DMV only registers certified models.
Does the same process apply to e-bikes and e-scooters?
Yes. Whatever was taken, the steps are the same: resolve the case, then bring your voucher, ID and proof of ownership to the property clerk.
The police took something else from me too. Can I get that back?
The same rules apply to other property. If you got a voucher, follow the steps above. If you didn't, your chances are much lower.
The bottom line
Getting a seized moped back from the NYPD is a slow process, and it can't really start until your summons is resolved. Hold on to your voucher, keep your ownership papers together, and get the case handled quickly so you can go claim your property.
Got a moped or e-scooter summons? Flat fee starting at $350, former Brooklyn prosecutor, all five boroughs. Send us your summons and hire SummonsPros today.
Kenneth F. Smith, Esq., is a former Brooklyn prosecutor and the attorney behind SummonsPros (Law Offices of Kenneth F. Smith, PLLC). This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific case.
