Does riding a gas-powered scooter in the bike lane require a driver's license in California?

My friend has this gas-powered scooter that can get up to 15-20 miles an hour (estimated) that he rides in the bike lane. He's always afraid a cop is going to take the scooter away from him because he doesn't have a license. But he rides it in the bike lane. So, does riding it in the bike lane exempt him from needing a California Drivers' License?