[Dr. Sivana]

Since it's a motorized vehicle regardless of the horsepower, the answer is yes..........and the boy could also get a ticket for driving a motorized vehicle without a license plate.

It probably depends on the states, but in farm country "motorized vehicles" without plates are driven on public roads all of the time. I remember in CT 15 year olds could drive mopeds without plates in the 70s (energy "crisis" I), and I don't know anyone who gets a plate for a motorized bicycle.

[Hot Tabasco]

but in farm country "motorized vehicles" without plates are driven on public roads all of the time.

That's pretty much a given........

[Hot Tabasco]

http://www.moped2.org/laws/Connecticut.htm

[SoothingDave]

There are exceptions in the motor vehicle codes for farm vehicles doing farm work, with the proper warning devices (reflective triangles, etc.).

None of which applies to driving home drunk over 6 miles at 1:30 AM on your riding lawn mower.