IRVINE

A new state law that legalizes motorized scooters now allows youngsters without a driver’s license to ride the two-wheeled boards on Irvine’s streets.

The new California Vehicle Code, which took effect Saturday, allows people to drive scooters with electric- or gasoline-powered motors. Although a driver’s license is not required, the operator must be at least 16 years old. Scooter drivers are not allowed to exceed a speed of 15 mph and must use a bike lane on streets with speed limits above 25 mph.