Is a Motorcycle License Needed to drive a Spyder?

[julie1877]

Hello I live in BC Canada and do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Spyder? Thanks!

[Bfromla]

Varys per government & here in US even Per State, having does help open for more travel with less worry or hassle like another skill set. Some location even required a special 3wheel version

[bigbadbrucie]

Hello I live in BC Canada and do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Spyder? Thanks!

Yes, you do.....if you take your test on a spyder, you will be restricted to ONLY three wheels, whereas if you test on a 2 wheeler, you’re allowed to ride either 2 or 3 wheels!

[mecsw500]

Same here in Utah. 2 wheeler endorsement covers 2 and 3 wheels, 3 wheel endorsement covers just 3 wheels. Both are endorsements to a car license.

Not all 3 wheeler vehicles require such a 3 wheel endorsement though. Vanderhalls and other car like vehicles seem to only need a car license. Where the line is drawn between the two I'm not quite sure.

[Eviltwin]

VA has separate endorsements for 2 and 3 wheelers. So if you take the test for 2, that's all you can ride. Same with 3. Two separate classes/exams for both. Unless you are an old timer like me and the endorsement only says "M".

[gkamer]

Same here in Utah. 2 wheeler endorsement covers 2 and 3 wheels, 3 wheel endorsement covers just 3 wheels. Both are endorsements to a car license.

Not all 3 wheeler vehicles require such a 3 wheel endorsement though. Vanderhalls and other car like vehicles seem to only need a car license. Where the line is drawn between the two I'm not quite sure.

I think it's steering wheel verse handle bars.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I think it's steering wheel verse handle bars.

Plus straddle seating vs side by side seating.

[bigbadbrucie]

Hello I live in BC Canada and do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Spyder? Thanks!

This thread has gone a bit off original topic, but to reiterate, YES in British Columbia a class 6 (motorcycle license) is required, and if all you will ever want is for riding 3 wheels (Spyder) then get the 3 wheel endorsement. Your local Government Agents office can fill you in with all of the details. Hope this helps you. Let us know what you decide, please.

[Motorcycledave]

The state of California does NOT consider the Spyder or any other 3 wheeled vehicle a motorcycle,
they are classed as an AUTOCYCLE. This includes trikes with 2 wheels in the back; 2 wheels in the front; or a side car rig.
NONE of them require a motorcycle lic. to ride them, your regular drivers lic. is all you need. Also you can travel out of state
with one and your license is still valid and accepted to operate it even if that state requires a motorcycle license.

[teninospyder]

Probably "too much information" here on the actual topic, but Just our experience in 2014.
After NOT Knowing of the 3 wheel endorsement requirement in WA, until a NAPA person asked me where to take the test for the endorsement, and me saying you don't need one per my dealer who looked at my current MC license, I found out I was wrong (not the first time, but you know .......) I had to scramble and find a class in 1 week, because we wanted to leave on a 2 week trip as soon as possible (I already had 700 miles on the new Spyder).

Found 2 day class 50 miles away, and did this over the weekend (traveling back and forth in car), before leaving on our first 2 week trip ever in late 2014.
WA state requires a 2 wheel motorcycle license to start with (which I had for years), and then this additional special 3 wheel training class.
For most that means spending 2 days "somewhere" for the special training session for the 3 wheeler. Class fee was around $300 as I recall. Getting to and from location is on you.
Class was not specific to Spyder, and actually one of the "how to" training activities couldn't be done with a Spyder (as I demonstrated for them, and they "waved the requirement").
As I remember it had to do with start out in first gear and at 20 MPH shift to 2nd gear and accelerate to 40 MPH and stop quickly from there. Computer won't allow shifting up at that slow speed

Nuff said. Got the endorsement and took our first "REAL FUN" trip

[Pirate]

The state of California does NOT consider the Spyder or any other 3 wheeled vehicle a motorcycle,
they are classed as an AUTOCYCLE. This includes trikes with 2 wheels in the back; 2 wheels in the front; or a side car rig.
NONE of them require a motorcycle lic. to ride them, your regular drivers lic. is all you need. Also you can travel out of state
with one and your license is still valid and accepted to operate it even if that state requires a motorcycle license.

I just bought a 21 Spyder F3 and my DMV registration and pink slip both say motorcycle. 2 wheeled motorcycles require M1 license. 3 wheeled only requires car license.

Here is the link from CA DMV. https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-serv...milar-vehicles