How can you pass a PA roadtest on a spyder

[2manycars]

I have a spyder and M endorsement on the Pa license, but I was trying to figure out how anyone could pass their PA road test on a spyder given the figure 8 in a box requirements.

They let my wife take the safety class/test on a silverwing with a tow-pac trike kit installed and it was easy, but i drew out the box and discovered short of multiple broken U turns there would be no way to pass the test at the end of the class.

I had a similar discussion when I had my Piaggio MP3-400. I understand they now allow the rider to complete the figure 8 and only require that one of the two front wheels remain in the box.

ARe there any PA riders who actually tried to take their test on the spyder? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[ameobe]

Yes I did.

They treated me as a cage, I parallel parked (in the box), & did the tightest circle & figure 8 possible(out of the box).

I have read they are working on an exam for trikes but not sure where they're at with it.

 

[qasamm]

The figure 8 test on a spyder is silly- it challenges your balance, throttle and clutch skills on a 2 wheeler so it makes sense there. MD does not have this for the trike test. However, I took the 2 wheel test with a trainer bike and was the only person in my class with no point deduction in that part if the test.

 

[widowmaker2011]

The figure 8 test on a spyder is silly- it challenges your balance, throttle and clutch skills on a 2 wheeler so it makes sense there. MD does not have this for the trike test. However, I took the 2 wheel test with a trainer bike and was the only person in my class with no point deduction in that part if the test.

In NY my wife had to do the figure 8 and went out of the box (in NY they use a single lane side street so she literally crept up over the curb with one wheel). He noted it and did not deduct for it.

 

[DSQUARE]

In Texas they did away with the driving and skills test. Now everyone has to take a Motorcycle safety course. When you complete it you take your certificate down to the DNV and take the written test. Pass and you have your license.hyea: No more dealing with a DPS Officer :clap:

 

[widowmaker2011]

In Texas they did away with the driving and skills test. Now everyone has to take a Motorcycle safety course. When you complete it you take your certificate down to the DNV and take the written test. Pass and you have your license.hyea: No more dealing with a DPS Officer :clap:

NY same way but its optional. take a skills test or take the course.

 

[zeebill]

WV asks you to schedule your test with other trike riders knowing there in no way the Spyder will make it through the weaver using cones like the 2 wheelers do. When you call to schedule they give you a choice of dates and you pick when. It is a road test and they follow in a van, took about 10 minutes. They also note on your motorcycle license that you are only good for 3 wheelers and not 2 wheelers. My buddy really screwed that up by saying he has a 2 wheeler too. I have no idea what they did there. Bill

 

[rineer4635]

3 wheeler license in PA

I have a spyder and M endorsement on the Pa license, but I was trying to figure out how anyone could pass their PA road test on a spyder given the figure 8 in a box requirements.

They let my wife take the safety class/test on a silverwing with a tow-pac trike kit installed and it was easy, but i drew out the box and discovered short of multiple broken U turns there would be no way to pass the test at the end of the class.

I had a similar discussion when I had my Piaggio MP3-400. I understand they now allow the rider to complete the figure 8 and only require that one of the two front wheels remain in the box.

ARe there any PA riders who actually tried to take their test on the spyder? Inquiring minds want to know.

As of about a month ago you can take a test and get a 3 wheeler license in PA.

 

[clueless]

they are going to a M with modifier for trikes in PA.

so if you get your license on a trike or Spyder it would not be good for a 2 wheel motorcycle.

but if you get a 2 wheel M license you can ride both...

 

[clueless]

How does PA treat the MSF course because that seams like the best way to do it there or in any state.

here in PA we have the free MSF course. you learn on 2 wheel bikes they provide. bring permit, get stamped to license if you pass course basic.

that would get you a full M license good for 2 wheel or trike bikes

 

[Roger]

JMO but i believe that the msf coarse should be the only way to get an 'M" you really learn alot. nojoke

 

[ameobe]

+1

here in PA we have the free MSF course. you learn on 2 wheel bikes they provide. bring permit, get stamped to license if you pass course basic.

that would get you a full M license good for 2 wheel or trike bikes

 

[sinkhole]

tests...

Now here's a dichotomy for you...
Pennsylvania, where I lived for 40+ years, makes you pass a written test, a driving test, and/or attend a safety course... then allows you to drive a cycle without wearing a helmet. :dontknow:

In Alabama, where I live now, you only need to pass a written test... no driving test at all. :dontknow: We do, however, have to wear a helmet.

Go figure!

 

[ameobe]

Now here's a dichotomy for you...
Pennsylvania, where I lived for 40+ years, makes you pass a written test, a driving test, and/or attend a safety course... then allows you to drive a cycle without wearing a helmet. :dontknow:

In Alabama, where I live now, you only need to pass a written test... no driving test at all. :dontknow: We do, however, have to wear a helmet.

Go figure!

But not for rookies or youngsters-

Pennsylvania Law requires that any person who operates or rides a motorcycle must wear
protective headgear unless he or she is 21 years of age or older and has been licensed to
operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years OR has completed a
motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

 

[scudrunner]

Now here's a dichotomy for you...
Pennsylvania, where I lived for 40+ years, makes you pass a written test, a driving test, and/or attend a safety course... then allows you to drive a cycle without wearing a helmet. :dontknow:

In Alabama, where I live now, you only need to pass a written test... no driving test at all. :dontknow: We do, however, have to wear a helmet.

Go figure!

Simple in my mind (as in simple minded). In PA, after demonstrating mental knowledge and physical knowledge/ability, the statistical need for a helmet is less than a state that only requires mental knowledge. Just about anyone can learn to take a test, it takes a little more to be able to adapt that knowledge for practical use.

 

[SpyderRider]

Here in Alabama they want to make sure that you aren't lying through your tooth! (Alabama joke!) :roflblack:

 

[scudrunner]

Here in Alabama they want to make sure that you aren't lying through your tooth!

I've lived in Alabama, my daughter's birth cert says she was born in Ozark. They made us move out when her second tooth came in!

 

[sinkhole]

teeth...

I've lived in Alabama, my daughter's birth cert says she was born in Ozark. They made us move out when her second tooth came in!

Here in Alabama they want to make sure that you aren't lying through your tooth! (Alabama joke!) :roflblack:

I must have Alabama confused with West Virginia.

 

[jvirga]

Another reason to live in California

Well folks. For all the bad stuff you may hear about California, one thing's most difenitely in this state's favor. You don't need a special class of licence to ride a Spyder in this state. Do you have a regular license to drive a car? Your good to go on the Spyder! (You do need a motorcylce liscence for a two wheeler.) Happy ryding everyone!:2thumbs:


1400 miles on my Orbital Blue RT-AC SE5...no problems!

 

[Questions]

I had trouble too. I went to PennDot in Harrisburg and they looked at me cross eyed. Had to go to Carlisle and they made a couple calls. I had to do the figure eight and all they did was expand the box by 10 foot each way until it could make it. Then they made sure I could back up and work the lights. The figure eight is pretty pointless. I did do a u-turn on a street and pulled the right wheel off the ground enough to think I was going over, I actually put my foot down.