More 3 wheel vehicles, considered motorcycles for registration and licensing, is leading another state, Colorado, to propose a separate 3 wheeler license. Although sidecars have been around since the earliest years of motorcycling, the newer reverse trikes, like the Can-Am Spyder, are getting enough exposure that some are suggesting another category is necessary or at least useful.
The one problem I see with this is the radically different types of 3 wheelers out there. A Can-Am Spyder is ridden in an upright style like a motorcycle while something like the T-Rex has you inside a roll cage in car like seats with a steering wheel. The T-Rex would require the same skills as any small sports car while the Spyder does require a sort of crossover skill set between a car and bike. No leaning gives you a car like vehicle but the seating and controls are more motorcycle than car.
As noted before, Delaware says 3 wheelers are motorcycles and you need a motorcycle license, this newer Colorado proposal says 3 wheelers are a distinct type of motorcycle. The Colorado law would allow you to get a 3 wheel license but still need another certification to ride a 2 wheeler.
California, on the other hand, is now thinking about adding a 3 wheeler training course to their rider safety training. This addresses the different handling characteristics of a non leaning vehicle whether it’s a reverse trike or a conventional sidecar rig. Riding a sidecar is definitely different and you hear all sorts of stories of riders driving off into the weeds but is it really that hard to figure out after the first turn?
This is going to get a little confusing while all of the states figure out what they’re going to do but I’m sure it will all sort itself out eventually.
Link: Reporter Herald
Link: LA Times
HotRodTroy says
I live in Colorado. I’m sure the is a ploy to make more money for the state. When it comes to motorsports this state is very small minded.
Mike Greenwald says
Street Quads need to be licensed as motorcycles in all states as well.
coho says
Am I the only one who thinks 50 separate DMVs for one country is a near criminal waste of money and time?
hoyt says
Requiring 3-wheelers to use a motorcycle endorsement could actually limit the number of additional bad drivers using a high performance vehicle. If a separate license can be obtained, that is not as difficult to obtain as a motorcycle license, then more idiots are likely to get on the road with these very different handling 3 wheelers.
I can already see the tuner crowds tricking these out and becoming more of a menace on the roads.
christopher says
why don’t they just require everyone to test on each platform before they’re allowed to drive ANY vehicle? sounds extreme sure, but i bet that soccer mom talking on her cell phone would have a bit more respect for those of us on two wheels if she had to pass a motorcycle riding exam to get her driver’s license.
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
Christopher, in that case there would have to be a drunk driving license where you bring a 12 pack of standard DMV beer to the test (costs 48 dollars and tastes like budweiser) and drink one beer per pass until you fail. Your BAC at your fail point is your drunk driving allowance.
Not calling myself a republican but this is government getting too large. There are no experts on this yet, so who sets the bar? Who decides the standard operating procedures?
Dirk says
Some years ago a friend of mine came up with the idea that no vehicles should have brakes. That would separate the truly capable from the not. And everyone would drive much more carefully. Oddly enough, he’s now a lawyer.
Steve H. says
Since I’ve been riding motorcycles and snowmobiles for the same amount of time – 41 years – I feel that the “new” concepts coming to reality such as the BRP Spyder should require another level of testing/qualification for road use. The fact that a Spyder will definitely require a different physical skill set is not difficult to understand once you have experienced a snowmobile. Especially at speed. This vehicle is a snowmobile (sled) with wheels – I like it very much, but…..
My own experiences make riding a “sled” fun and easy, but believe me, mistakes can have serious consequences. The increased tractability, in all modes of motion, of a Spyder will have advantages and disadvantages. The effects of this new vehicle type will result in a somewhat painful period for many new users, unfortunately. Those with sled experience will be most capable for the road. But, even for those of us with that kind of experience the increased G-forces in all modes will require a new understanding.
I’m looking forward to it.
akbar says
yeah, they may need a different skill set – but I hold a CO motorcycle license, and that does not in anyway proves that I have said skill set. A monkey could pass the test here, so what would be the point of a new classification?
JC says
Around here a 50cc scooter requires no riding training or riding test, only a written test. There are some fast 50cc scooters out there, and the dangers common to all motorcyclists are the same for scooters.
I fail to see how a car license is sufficient for a three wheeler, and how a two wheel license is overkill for a three wheeler!
Dodgy says
When the MP3 was first suggested for approval on Australian roads there was talk of registering it as a trike (motorcycle license but maybe no helmet?) or as a car without motorcycle license and training requirements (but I assume requiring a helmet be worn). It wasn’t until some of the bureaucrats actually RODE the thing that they realized it is exactly the same as riding a normal two wheeler (except harder to crash).
I suspect (not having ridden it) that the Can Am would be a more “hang on, it’ll grip” kind of ride? And that most accidents will be caused by ‘riders’ running out of balls?
Motorcycle licenses here require a basic pre-license course, and then the rider is limited to lower power bikes for about a year. The Can Am wouldn’t qualify, nor does the Gilera Fuoco 500 (but the MP3 250 does) for ‘learners’.
It’s interesting that they are suggesting special licensing, but is there any mention of training to go with it, or any other type of vehicle?
hoyt says
I mentioned motorcycle licensing as being “difficult” in the context that not every tuner or would-be operator of a Spyder would go to the trouble of getting endorsed to ride a motorcycle in order to be endorsed to operate a Spyder…so in effect, it becomes “difficult” to that crowd, which would reduce the number of bad drivers on these potentially wicked machines.
If the 3-wheeler license is a more difficult test to pass than the current auto testing & it does a better job of demonstrating one’s skill on these unique machines, then there should be a separate test. This might actually spill over to other stringent testing for autos and motorcycles.
Any states that move to a separate test for 3-wheelers hopefully will hire people with the experience that Steve H mentions to conduct the tests.
Space Weasel says
As a motorcyclist who both lives in CO and has ridden a Spyder, this makes sense to me. Much of the market for these machines will be people who can’t or won’t balance on two wheels. But the skills needed are much different than those required for operating a car. Why on earth wouldn’t we all applaud a DMV that wants to tailor a test to these machines?
For those who already have an M endorsement, fine. But your regular car license isn’t enough. It just becomes a middle point for those who don’t want to go all the way.
And we should be encouraging any new riders and machines we can. The more of us there are, the harder it is to marginalize the group.
akbar says
Space Weasel Says ‘Why on earth wouldn’t we all applaud a DMV that wants to tailor a test to these machines?’
Only because the DMV does not really take the idea of teaching seriously. The license test is so simple that it really does nothing to promote the idea that driving takes skill and attention.
Unless this changes, what them would be the point of a new classification? Fees, perhaps.
Bob1 says
So, if special training and testing becomes mandatory, who’s gonna supply the Spyders, et. al., for training?
If you create different licenses, you’ll need more specialized training. How are you supposed to get that before you test?
I’m thinking about getting a sidecar rig. Yes, i realize it requires a different skillset (for which I’ve been studying), but I think that my 30+ years on motorcycles will serve me well. There are some sidecar schools, but only in Virginia and Washington state. Somebody will have to invest in the infrastructure to set up training and testing in each state. That’ll come at taxpayer expense. No, thanks.
Waldo says
Are we that far away from licensing wheel barrows? Of course if they do, you’ll have to prove you can drive one? Tricky vehicles those wheel barrows! Lets not forget insurance!! We wouldn’t want to be sued by someone we ran over in a wheel barrow now would we!!! License plates front and back too! Live where I live and you’ll have to put a windshield on it so you can show those stupid state required stickers! Are we still living in a democracy??
What ever will be next???
Cash H says
I have been down at the main MV building in Lakewood three times starting in the fall of 2007. I am trying to get the correct license for a 3 wheel motorcycle that I am trying to buy. I took a lot of paper work to them to describe the type of motorcycle it is, the specs from the manufacture, the size, and everything except my mother (I’m in my 50’s). They have turned it over to their supervisors who in turn, I’m sure have turned it over to their supervisor, etc. I think by the time I will get an answer, I will be need a wheel chair and to old to enjoy this bike. I know you need to make sure it is done right, but I don’t understand that if a person can get in the largest motor home made, never been behind the wheel of any massive vehicle of that size, and then proceed to drive down the road and hope they don’t hit anyone, what’s up?
RC says
I have a Spyder. My training was on a traditional 2 wheel bike, and I have a standard motorcycle license. Personally I think they should all have the same license, and riders should be trained on at least the 2 wheel. The Spyder is simple to learn to handle. If I were to be out riding with others and something would go wrong somehow – illness, accident, whatever, circumstances might require I drive one of their bikes rather than my own – or vice versa. Everyone needs to be licensed and trained for both – anything can happen. But I’m really please to have the training on the traditional, even though I don’t drive or ride them.