Motorcycle Driver License Question for Interstate

[zavalza]

Hi Guys

My Spyder is registered in CA, where as you know doesnt require a special license endorsement.

What happen if I want to go to let's say WA across OR?

Do I need a license to do that or because the vehicle is registered in a state that doesnt require it I dont?

I am planning a long road trip but this came to my mind yesterday so hopefully somebody have some idea

thanks in advance

[boborgera]

Hi Guys

My Spyder is registered in CA, where as you know doesnt require a special license endorsement.

What happen if I want to go to let's say WA across OR?

Do I need a license to do that or because the vehicle is registered in a state that doesnt require it I dont?

I am planning a long road trip but this came to my mind yesterday so hopefully somebody have some idea

thanks in advance

As long as your registered and insured and have a Ca. license your good to go. If every state required you to have there endorsement, you would end up having to get 50 endorsements

[NancysToy]

States that have a reciprocity agreement with your home state honor your state's driver and vehicle licensing regulations. States that do not have reciprocity do not have to, although tey often do. They can enforce their own licensing requirements, if they wish to. Even with reciprocity, you could have an incredible hassle with the law, trying to get yourself out of a jam and back on the road. It all depends on the officer and situation involved. BTW, I'm not sure CA has reciprocity with anyone.

My advice is to take an MSF course and get a motorcycle or trike endorsement. The course will give you a lot of safety information and defensive riding techniques that will serve you well on the Spyder. Of course, many of the motorcycle specific things, like counter-steering, will not apply to the Spyder. My wife took the course when she started out, before she rode her Spyder, and she is very glad she did. It made her much more comfortable on the Spyder once she took to the road.

[DynamoBT]

+1 to taking an MSF course. Worth every penny.

Took me a bit to get rolling on two wheels. Even after I had passed it I took it again for a brush up.

+1 to Scotty's advice too about sticking with the Spyder. There are so many ways one can screw up on two wheels and lose traction and low side it isn't funny. And then there is making a very easy newbie mistake of locking the back brake and letting it go and subsequently high siding. In my own case, if I had started on two wheels when I was younger I think I would have been more comfortable with my learning curve. Then too, my learning curve would have likely been shorter when I was younger too. Finally, I became uncomfortable with the risk that my lack of experience put me at. The Spyder was a perfect choice for me.


edit to add: somehow I was responding to the "Motorcycle" post and my reply ended up here instead. I think having my 75 lb Bull Terrier in my lap at the same time had something to do with the confusion. Sorry.

Definitely take the MSF course if you find yourself wanting to go back to two wheels. Really worth it.

[tjfischer]

I got one in Washington State and Wyoming, back in September. After the Highway patrol officers verified with their respective supervisors, and questioned me why California doesn't require a Motorcycle endorsement, they sent me on my merry way with a speeding ticket of course.

[bone crusher]

Hi Guys

My Spyder is registered in CA, where as you know doesnt require a special license endorsement.

What happen if I want to go to let's say WA across OR?

Do I need a license to do that or because the vehicle is registered in a state that doesnt require it I dont?

I am planning a long road trip but this came to my mind yesterday so hopefully somebody have some idea

thanks in advance

You only need what your state requires...no state is going to give you a problem...I do agree that a class is a good idea, but it usually isn't needed and at least in MD, there aren't any three wheel courses...classes do tend to get you a discount on insurance though...plus, anything safety based is a good idea...wish they had them here!

[RAL]

Hi Guys

My Spyder is registered in CA, where as you know doesnt require a special license endorsement.

What happen if I want to go to let's say WA across OR?

Do I need a license to do that or because the vehicle is registered in a state that doesnt require it I dont?

I am planning a long road trip but this came to my mind yesterday so hopefully somebody have some idea

thanks in advance

In Florida I was required to get a sidecar/trike indorsment when I got my Ural. So off I went grumbling all the way there. It was well worth the time and money. Even if your state does not require it is a good investment. The thing about stuff you do not know is you do not know what you don't know, ya know?
I know some states do not seem to think a trike course is needed for a Spyder. It may be a reverse trike but it still handles more like a hack or a trike than a car or a 2 wheeler.
Besides you should get a break on your insurance.


RAL

[bikeguy]

If you can get a motorcycle or trike endorsement, I would do it. I don't know how many states have reciprosity agreements but, even with reciprosity, you can run into problems. Most state troopers are well aware of all aspects of the law but local authorities sometimes are not. And I don't mean that in any negative way. They simply do not always have as much training. I know that in Texas the helmet laws have changed over and over in the years I have been riding. That's not a problem for me since I always wear a helmet anyway, but I have had friends and aquaintances who have been stopped and ticketed by local officers who did not know the law. In every case the judge dismissed the ticket but couldn't do much about the hassle of having to appear before him/her in the first place.

Cotton

[Dragonrider]

Get the endorsement - Oregon can & will impound it if you get stopped. Oregon now requires all ATV riders to take and pass the Oregon safety test & get the safety license. You don't have the license, you lose your toy.

The green rubbish up here isn't all moss…..

[tjfischer]

Get the endorsement - Oregon can & will impound it if you get stopped. Oregon now requires all ATV riders to take and pass the Oregon safety test & get the safety license. You don't have the license, you lose your toy.

The green rubbish up here isn't all moss…..

That only applies if your License is in the state of Oregon. Otherwise whatever is required by your Homestate is sufficient. Washington State has the same requirements as Oregon. I got a speeding ticket there, and they did not impound my ride.

[pop49]

One Country, yet 52 states each with some of their own rules and regulations.... no wonder you guys and gals get so confused......
On a serious note it is odd though.

[Tom in NM]

One Country, yet 52 states each with some of their own rules and regulations.... no wonder you guys and gals get so confused......
On a serious note it is odd though.

No, it just adds to the thrills of Interstate travel and our rebel natures.

(by the way, in Texas you don't need anything but a gun rack)

Tom

[bikeguy]

(by the way, in Texas you don't need anything but a gun rack)

Tom

You mean that's not true in NM as well?

Cotton

[BillGargan]

On a quick history note . . .

This is the United States. The federal government -- at least in theory -- has limited rights to do the things that would be chaotic if the individual states tried to do them. For example, states are responsible for registering vehicles, driver's licensing and marriages. The feds are responsible for war, among other things.

One Country, yet 52 states each with some of their own rules and regulations.... no wonder you guys and gals get so confused......
On a serious note it is odd though.

[Tom in NM]

You mean that's not true in NM as well?

Cotton

Here in NM all you need is a "Go Lobos" sticker and you are good to go.
Though, gun racks are a popular option imported from the East.

Tom

[Dragonrider]

Sorry, but Oregon is different. They treat the endorsement just like helmet laws - just because you don't need one in Idaho, doesn't mean you can ride in Oregon without one - the endorsement is the same.

In a similar vein, you bring your ATV to Oregon without the new Oregon "safety license" and ride, or let your (under 18) kid ride one without you having one and being within 100 feet of them, and the law states they have the right to impound the vehicle (ie: keep it).

This is Oregon's way of saying they only want you to be able to walk or ride a bike. Nothing else is "green" enough...

[The_Spyderwoman]

Sorry, but Oregon is different. They treat the endorsement just like helmet laws - just because you don't need one in Idaho, doesn't mean you can ride in Oregon without one - the endorsement is the same.

..

I can't believe you went there!! Don't bring up the helmet laws!!


WE KNOW ABOUT HELMET LAWS!!

[Roger]

I thought i heard some rumblings about a federal license so all states would be the same and make it easier for "the man". I agree 100% take the MSF coarse. This i believe should be mandatory in every state. jmo. Their are a lot of kids getting bikes and permits and riding cause they can't pass the road test then they go out spin tires and wheelies and wonder why they get busted and bike gets impounded go figure.

[NewRider]

[QUOTE=Dragonrider;184862]Get the endorsement - Oregon can & will impound it if you get stopped. Oregon now requires all ATV riders to take and pass the Oregon safety test & get the safety license. You don't have the license, you lose your toy.

Out of curiosity, I checked with our Indiana BMV, concerning M endorsement. Turns out, to my surprise, Indiana and Oregon have a reciprocity agreement.

[boborgera]

[quote=NewRider;184992]

Get the endorsement - Oregon can & will impound it if you get stopped. Oregon now requires all ATV riders to take and pass the Oregon safety test & get the safety license. You don't have the license, you lose your toy.

Out of curiosity, I checked with our Indiana BMV, concerning M endorsement. Turns out, to my surprise, Indiana and Oregon have a reciprocity agreement.

I'm confused [very easy i might add] What does ATV,s have to do with a road bike [Spyder]??

[tjfischer]

Sorry, but Oregon is different. They treat the endorsement just like helmet laws - just because you don't need one in Idaho, doesn't mean you can ride in Oregon without one - the endorsement is the same.

In a similar vein, you bring your ATV to Oregon without the new Oregon "safety license" and ride, or let your (under 18) kid ride one without you having one and being within 100 feet of them, and the law states they have the right to impound the vehicle (ie: keep it).

This is Oregon's way of saying they only want you to be able to walk or ride a bike. Nothing else is "green" enough...

An endorsement is differnt that a Helmet law. An endorsment states, nothing more than, you are licensed to operate that vehicle configuration in your home state.

A helmet law, is like a seat belt law, Cell phone law, or no splitting lane law. In the those cases, is does not matter what your are licensed to operate. Those laws require that you meet the individuals states safety laws while operatiing that vehicle, int the relative state you are traveling in.

We can take this even further. Vehicle registration varies from state to state as well. Trailering also varies. We can go on about the differences for days, and many of us will still be confussed.

[Dragonrider]

Let's see, is there an answer here why my son got a ticket for a non-licensed trailer in California, when no license is required in Oregon?? And going to court to argue the case, the judge made it stick?? Oregon is a VERY weird place, and getting more so.

[woodz428]

One Country, yet 52 states each with some of their own rules and regulations.... no wonder you guys and gals get so confused......
On a serious note it is odd though.

When did we gain 2 more states??
As pointed out, unless you are taking up residence in any other state than where you are licensed, the state you reside in calls the shots. Under the Constitution ( which seems irrelevant to some) each state HAS to recognize the laws of other states. There is no such thing as "reciprocity" on these type of items. If there was, that would interfere with freedom of travel, since it would be allow every state to stuff their coffers with tickets of travelers through their state for violations that aren't against the law in the place they reside.
Think about the military, they are often in several states in 1 year, that would require them to get endorsements in every state that they may be transfered to. When I was in, it was customary to even allow the military to use their current license for up to 30 days after discharge, at least in this state.
Most states also have a timeframe for transferral IF you change residence. I believe it is something like 90 days in Illinois.

[woodz428]

A helmet law, is like a seat belt law, Cell phone law, or no splitting lane law. In the those cases, is does not matter what your are licensed to operate. Those laws require that you meet the individuals states safety laws while operatiing that vehicle, int the relative state you are traveling in.
.

As well as the "Right turn on Red" law we and some other states have. I think it is stupid, for various reasons. But you can't do that in a state that doesn't have the law just because the state you reside in does.

[Questions]

just know what states you are going to be riding through and read the driving laws handbook for each. .. each one is like a different country.