Okay, see you all know my story. I took a 12 year lapse from riding motorcycles because my multiple sclerosis. Last October when I decided I was going to start riding again and I got my Harley I went to the DMV and got my permit that is good for six months. I then asked them what it would take me to get my endorsement on my license for motorcycles. They told me that their course for the driving portion of the test was not outfitted for a trike. It is simply too wide to do the course. The course involves many tight turns etc.. They then told me that I could take a course with (a private Lyons organization): The Motorcycle Institute and they would give me a certificate to bring to the DMV and that would get me my Endorsement. Normally a drivers test for a new license in Arizona is $18. The cost of the only course in Arizona that exists for trikes is $399. I had my attorney send a letter to Gov. Jan Brewer saying that they are discriminating against the disabled for not having a course at the DMV that can accommodate trikes. Is there anybody else in this forum that has had the same problem? Also are there any states that you may live in that don't require a motorcycle endorsement for people riding a three wheeled trike. My permit expires in two weeks and I have to figure out what to do at that point because I cannot afford $399 for a course. Thanks
Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
- Thread starter AzDaven
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Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
I called the Missouri DMV and asked if the motorcycle skills test could be taken on a trike because my wife wants to drive the Stallion. They said she could but the endorsement would be a "W" endorsement instead of a "M" endorsement. With the "W" endorsement she would not legally be able to ride a two wheel motorcycle. She would be restricted to a Trike only.
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I called the Missouri DMV and asked if the motorcycle skills test could be taken on a trike because my wife wants to drive the Stallion. They said she could but the endorsement would be a "W" endorsement instead of a "M" endorsement. With the "W" endorsement she would not legally be able to ride a two wheel motorcycle. She would be restricted to a Trike only.
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Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
When I took my first trike course, the instructor said that states are moving toward separate endorsements for bikes and trikes. Riders with existing endorsements would be grandfathered and allowed to ride both with an M endorsement. You are just experiencing the future a little early.
When I took my first trike course, the instructor said that states are moving toward separate endorsements for bikes and trikes. Riders with existing endorsements would be grandfathered and allowed to ride both with an M endorsement. You are just experiencing the future a little early.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
From what little I know of the ADA this is discrimination.
We have recently in the UK had to campaign for a " trike concession" in the motorcycle test as a recent law change has put trikes into the motorcycle category. My licence is a bike licence with a (Tri) endorsement so I can only rides trike. Our disabled riders organisation was a huge help in getting this passed.
From what little I know of the ADA this is discrimination.
We have recently in the UK had to campaign for a " trike concession" in the motorcycle test as a recent law change has put trikes into the motorcycle category. My licence is a bike licence with a (Tri) endorsement so I can only rides trike. Our disabled riders organisation was a huge help in getting this passed.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
In believe in Colorado, if you get a license for a trike, you're not allowed to ride a two wheeled motorcycle. If you get or have a license for a two wheeler, then you can ride either.
AzDaven...check with ABATE. They usually have trike courses or I think they'd be cheaper being a national organization. I could be wrong, but it's worth checking out.
In believe in Colorado, if you get a license for a trike, you're not allowed to ride a two wheeled motorcycle. If you get or have a license for a two wheeler, then you can ride either.
AzDaven...check with ABATE. They usually have trike courses or I think they'd be cheaper being a national organization. I could be wrong, but it's worth checking out.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
Back when I realized that my knees wouldn't keep my Road King steady at a stop I sold the bike and dropped my endorsement. When I bought my Stallion, Florida would not reissue my motorcycle endorsement. They required that I that a trike course, and test.
The course was good, it took two days, and the Stallion really didn't fit the program. But it was a learning experience, and I have a "S" endorsement on my liscense, I am only qualified to operate a three wheel trike. If I got stopped operating a two wheel cycle, it would be driving with out a liscense.
I think that most states are looking at a separate endorsement on trikes, due to the first time riders, in the boomer age group.
Back when I realized that my knees wouldn't keep my Road King steady at a stop I sold the bike and dropped my endorsement. When I bought my Stallion, Florida would not reissue my motorcycle endorsement. They required that I that a trike course, and test.
The course was good, it took two days, and the Stallion really didn't fit the program. But it was a learning experience, and I have a "S" endorsement on my liscense, I am only qualified to operate a three wheel trike. If I got stopped operating a two wheel cycle, it would be driving with out a liscense.
I think that most states are looking at a separate endorsement on trikes, due to the first time riders, in the boomer age group.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
Unless they have changed it recently, and I don't think they have, here in Ohio if you have a motorcycle endorsement you can ride 2 or 3 wheels, but there is such a thing as a trike endorsement, but then you can't legally ride 2 wheels.
Unless they have changed it recently, and I don't think they have, here in Ohio if you have a motorcycle endorsement you can ride 2 or 3 wheels, but there is such a thing as a trike endorsement, but then you can't legally ride 2 wheels.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
As far as I know, Maryland does not have a Trike endorsement.
As far as I know, Maryland does not have a Trike endorsement.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
It's really different in every state. Like FRR said, in Ohio there are 2 and 3 wheel endorsements. You don't HAVE to take a course. For a trike, they just set up the cones differently at the BMV. You take a similar riding test there as a 2 wheeler. OR, if you have taken a motorcycle safety course, then you can bypass the BMV's riding test.
I had a horrible time when I first started riding because I had an outrigger kit. I had never been licensed to ride a motorcycle (2, 3 or 4 wheels). They wouldn't let me ride the BMV course with my "outrigger trike" because of the 4 wheels. Long story, short. I bought a true trike. I took an MSF course in Tennessee because they don't offer one here. I didn't have to take the course but I wanted to. After I passed, they let me transfer it to Ohio and I got my endorsement that way.
MarciaG
It's really different in every state. Like FRR said, in Ohio there are 2 and 3 wheel endorsements. You don't HAVE to take a course. For a trike, they just set up the cones differently at the BMV. You take a similar riding test there as a 2 wheeler. OR, if you have taken a motorcycle safety course, then you can bypass the BMV's riding test.
I had a horrible time when I first started riding because I had an outrigger kit. I had never been licensed to ride a motorcycle (2, 3 or 4 wheels). They wouldn't let me ride the BMV course with my "outrigger trike" because of the 4 wheels. Long story, short. I bought a true trike. I took an MSF course in Tennessee because they don't offer one here. I didn't have to take the course but I wanted to. After I passed, they let me transfer it to Ohio and I got my endorsement that way.
MarciaG
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
No special License need for SC, normal car will put you on 3 wheels. Only need Motorcycle for side car or 2 wheels.
No special License need for SC, normal car will put you on 3 wheels. Only need Motorcycle for side car or 2 wheels.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
AzDaven -
California doesn't require anything other than a regular drivers license for trikes.
When we moved to North Carolina we had to get motorcycle endorsements. NC issues a regular "M" (motorcycle) endorsement with restriction codes that limit you to three wheels if you take the skills test on a trike. The skills test was pretty much a joke. It was the same as the two-wheel test without the things that wouldn't work on a trike: no cone slalom, no sharp turns, etc. It consisted mostly of speeding up enough to go from first to second gear, slow and shift back to first, speed up enough to shift to second gear, slow to shift to first gear, make a u-turn and repeat the process back to the start.
AzDaven -
California doesn't require anything other than a regular drivers license for trikes.
When we moved to North Carolina we had to get motorcycle endorsements. NC issues a regular "M" (motorcycle) endorsement with restriction codes that limit you to three wheels if you take the skills test on a trike. The skills test was pretty much a joke. It was the same as the two-wheel test without the things that wouldn't work on a trike: no cone slalom, no sharp turns, etc. It consisted mostly of speeding up enough to go from first to second gear, slow and shift back to first, speed up enough to shift to second gear, slow to shift to first gear, make a u-turn and repeat the process back to the start.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
Didn't know you could do it that way. I guess since I've had mine since Johnson was President I didn't know options were available. When did Ohio start requiring endorsements? I know you could ride a MC in the late 1950's at age 14 if the engine was small enough
It's really different in every state. Like FRR said, in Ohio there are 2 and 3 wheel endorsements. You don't HAVE to take a course. For a trike, they just set up the cones differently at the BMV. You take a similar riding test there as a 2 wheeler. OR, if you have taken a motorcycle safety course, then you can bypass the BMV's riding test.
I had a horrible time when I first started riding because I had an outrigger kit. I had never been licensed to ride a motorcycle (2, 3 or 4 wheels). They wouldn't let me ride the BMV course with my "outrigger trike" because of the 4 wheels. Long story, short. I bought a true trike. I took an MSF course in Tennessee because they don't offer one here. I didn't have to take the course but I wanted to. After I passed, they let me transfer it to Ohio and I got my endorsement that way.
MarciaG
Didn't know you could do it that way. I guess since I've had mine since Johnson was President I didn't know options were available. When did Ohio start requiring endorsements? I know you could ride a MC in the late 1950's at age 14 if the engine was small enough
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
I think Ohio has been requiring endorsements forever. If you have a 2 wheel endorsement already, then you can legally ride a trike. I am physically unable to ride on 2 wheels. In hindsight, I wish I had known about the endorsement issues with respect to the outrigger. I lost a bunch of money on it when I sold it. Oh well. I'm happy now.
MraciaG
I think Ohio has been requiring endorsements forever.
If you have a 2 wheel endorsement already, then you can legally ride a trike. I am physically unable to ride on 2 wheels. In hindsight, I wish I had known about the endorsement issues with respect to the outrigger. I lost a bunch of money on it when I sold it. Oh well. I'm happy now.MraciaG
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
Idaho has a seperate endorsement for 3 wheelers. It won't let you drive a standard 2 wheeler but otherwise works and is priced the same on the license. The course for a trike is the same course that the 2 wheelers take, except with about half the things left out and is extremely easy compared to what everyone else has to do.
Idaho has a seperate endorsement for 3 wheelers. It won't let you drive a standard 2 wheeler but otherwise works and is priced the same on the license. The course for a trike is the same course that the 2 wheelers take, except with about half the things left out and is extremely easy compared to what everyone else has to do.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
Oregon classifies 3 wheelers as motorcycles. Hence, an M endorsement. Benefit for me is that I park in a state owned parking garage for $11 per month instead of $110 for a car.
Oregon classifies 3 wheelers as motorcycles. Hence, an M endorsement. Benefit for me is that I park in a state owned parking garage for $11 per month instead of $110 for a car.
Re: Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement in Arizona is ridiculous
I was lucky. Before Florida changed the law to require a course, I owned a Yamaha 125 cc scooter and took the test for a motorcycle endorsement on it.
The test was easy on a scooter, but I said to the examiner "I can't imagine how difficult it would be to do this test on a full size motorcycle."
She said "you have NO idea...." and grinned at me.
I was lucky. Before Florida changed the law to require a course, I owned a Yamaha 125 cc scooter and took the test for a motorcycle endorsement on it.
The test was easy on a scooter, but I said to the examiner "I can't imagine how difficult it would be to do this test on a full size motorcycle."
She said "you have NO idea...." and grinned at me.
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