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Curiosity question.......

Dtryke

Dtryke

New member
I've heard that Spyder drivers can go to the DMV and test on their bikes, and get a restricted (3 wheel) license. I'm actually taking the course to be licensed on two wheelers because I thought there would be safety information applicable to any wheeled bike. Do most Spyder drivers get licensed on two or three wheeled bikes?
 
Ohio

In Ohio, you can take your test on a Spyder and get a restricted 3 wheel license. That is fine with us because we have no desire to ride on only 2.
 
It all depends on your state. Check your state's DMV webpage for info. Here in California we don't need a special license to operate a 3-wheeler, just a plain ole drivers license.
 
Regulations will vary by state.

AK. A motorcycle endorsment is required. You read a special pamphlet, take a written test. Upon passing, they give you a permit. You can ride solo--but have to be with an endorsed driver.

Getting the endorsement: Take the approved motorcycle course and pass--you get the endorsement. Or: take bike to DMV and drive their course--pass and you get the endorsment.

Here--they do special things for three-wheeler--since they drive different than two wheelers.

Road test--takes about 5 minutes when they see the Spyder., Forward, right turn, left turn, park, quick stop. Upon completion you get a m/c three wheel endorsement.
 
I took my test at DMV on the Spyder and passed the first time, after a month of practice. I also took an Apex MSC about a month later to see if there was any safety information that I needed. The Appex class was a Spyder class, me and 7 other Spyder owners racing around in a parking lot learning what we should and shouldn't do. It was a lot of fun and it was great to meet other Spyder owners and talk.
 
Interesting responses. I'm already aware of the AZ requirements. I was just curious if most Spyder drivers take the course or not. Thanks for the replies!
 
Bytemi said:
I took my test at DMV on the Spyder and passed the first time, after a month of practice. I also took an Apex MSC about a month later to see if there was any safety information that I needed. The Appex class was a Spyder class, me and 7 other Spyder owners racing around in a parking lot learning what we should and shouldn't do. It was a lot of fun and it was great to meet other Spyder owners and talk.
Click to expand...

Hey there Bytemi, when did you take the Apex class? I took mine back in April, it was the first one they offered. (Did a write-up here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...e-safety-licensing-class-in-Northern-Virginia!)

I'm curious what the instructors told you, if they had any feedback from the earlier classes (since mine was the first class, they were still feeling their way forward with the bikes... heck, they didn't even know how to shift them in reverse yet!)
 
Nancy took the course on two wheels. The time spent working with the clutch friction point, and the ability to handle the two wheeler really helped her confidence. I never took a course or was tested...I was grandfathered in when they invented cycle endorsements about a thousand years ago.
 
I took the MSC in Illinois - first the basic MANY years ago to get my license for two wheels which I rode during my high school and college years. I actually took that course a second time about 15 years later - somewhere along the way in getting divorced and having my license re-issued I lost my MC endorsement. When I met my now-husband of 17 years, I wanted to start riding again and took the course again to get my license re-issued. I now take the Advanced Rider courses which are offered in my area twice a year. I try to do both of them each year just for the fun and renewed training on two wheels (which I still ride on non-Spyder days).

I think you are smart to take a MSC even if you plan to only ride the Spyder. There are many safety tips and riding strategies that most beginning (and some long time riders) never think of that could literally save your life or that of others with whom you may ride.
 
Thanks Geminijane!! I thought it prudent to take the course. I will consider the advanced course as well!!
 
bullant12 said:
http://en-us.spyder.brp.com/showroom/license-requirements.aspx Just select the state and it tells you the requirements.
Click to expand...
I find this link interesting. I clicked it to check Washington State. Now I DO NOT KNOW if the law has changed recently, I tried looking it up but got nowhere. When I bought my 08' new a 3 wheel motorcycle license was req..2 wheel not good enuff. I got pulled over many times that 1st year..for various reasons (Never gotten a ticket yet..knock on wood). Mostly just to check what the hell the bike was and if it was legal to be on the road..then all the normal questions we all get. Bike was too new cops didnt know a thing about it. about a year after buying the bike a friend pulled me over...man I love small towns, cause he knew I had the bike and knew I only had a 2 wheel license. He researched the laws and pulled me over to tell me to go take the 3 wheel test. After taking the 3 wheel test I started meeting other Washington State Riders and they all told me the same thing..3 wheel endorsment req for WA State. I dont know if the law has changed..I cant find anything online, next time im in Colville ill swing by the cop shop and ask. but what this link is tellin you may not be correct.
 
AZ

I just took my road test in Tucson on my RT. I got the trike endorsement. I was told not to take the two wheel class as handling a trike is totally different. I wish there was a trike safety class here. I would really like to take one and practice with my trike. I am sure that would be very helpful.
 
In Tennessee you need a 'Motorcycle' endorsement. There is no separate 2 wheel, 3 wheel license. So, if you take the test on a Spyder you get certified for 2 & 3 wheeled vehicles. Not really very smart as riding a Spyder and a 2 wheeled motorcycle are very different, requiring 2 different skill sets.

Here where we are you take the written motorcycle test, they take you outside, have you drive down the street about 1/2 a mile, do a U-Turn (without taking your feet off the pegs) and come back. DONE!

It's pretty much a complete joke on a Spyder.
 
Michigan

My wife took the three wheel MSF class, passed it successfully, and did not have to take a driving test at the SOS office. However, here in Michigan they have not figured out the difference between a two wheeler and a three wheeler. She has received a motorcycle endorcement! :yikes:
 
I was the first in the state (so they said) to take the MD test on the Spyder...got a motorcycle license with a 'J' restriction...limits me to 3 wheels...no desire to ever ride 2, so that's fine with me...the test wasn't too bad...
 
Chick said:
My wife took the three wheel MSF class, passed it successfully, and did not have to take a driving test at the SOS office. However, here in Michigan they have not figured out the difference between a two wheeler and a three wheeler. She has received a motorcycle endorcement! :yikes:
Click to expand...
Just your local DMV office stuck in a loophole. There is a 3-wheel endorsement in Michigan. It was probably the 3-wheel MSF that threw them. They are quite rare, and the law doesn't distinguish between courses, only between tests. If you have an MSF certificate, you get a normal endoresement without testing...until the law catches up with the fact that these new courses exist. If you take test on a 3-wheeler, you are supposed to receive a 3-wheel endorsement, though...by law.
 
Hey azrn8285.....

azrn8285 said:
I just took my road test in Tucson on my RT. I got the trike endorsement. I was told not to take the two wheel class as handling a trike is totally different. I wish there was a trike safety class here. I would really like to take one and practice with my trike. I am sure that would be very helpful.
Click to expand...

My daughter and I just completed day two of the riding class. We have the final half day tomorrow. The class is hard, but very good. Lots of good information even if the Spyder is totally easier!! I would strongly recommend taking this course if you haven't ridden before. Just my 2 cents!!
 
Virginia does not differentiate between 2 or 3 wheels.

Should you pass your motorcycle test on 3 wheels, you are also qualified to ride 2 wheels, regardless of whether you can remain vertical or not.

That may change in the future, but for now, the M endorsement on the Virginia driver's license gets you a seat on either 2 or 3 wheels.
 
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