License?

HepCat · Post by **HepCat** » Tue May 01, 2012 5:08 pm

So yesterday a guy pulled up next to me, looked at my scooter and said "you got a license to ride that?".. In Washington state you have to have a motorcycle endorsement on your license to ride anything over 50cc. As he pulled away he yelled ' I don't have a license at all!!!!... HAHAHAHA!!!" and he continued laughing maniacally as he sped down the road...

If you are on this board, Sir..Props! you are a crazy SOB...

But my real question to the general public here is.. Do you have a motorcycle endorsement? and does your State require it? and at What cc?

jonlink · Post by **jonlink** » Tue May 01, 2012 5:17 pm

I think that many states (most) require a motorcycle endorsement at anything over 50cc. NH and MA both have that as a law anyway. The scooter also can not go over 30mph.

I have a motorcycle endorsement.

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:28 pm

Also in MA, with a 150, so yes, I have a motorcycle endorsement. I find that funny, because there is no way I could actually ride a motorcycle, because I am clueless when it comes to manual transmissions.

HepCat · Post by **HepCat** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:38 pm

Heh, I took the motorcycle training coarse.. I found it rather odd getting back on the scooter.. I keep wanting to shift, but hit the back brake instead

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:42 pm

Same in Missouri. Anything over 50cc you need a motorcycle endorsement. In fact, to take the Motorcycle Riding Safety Course at Forrest Park, you also have to show proof of health insurance. Good thing I suppose. Even though I live here, I acknowledge that we have some of the worst drivers I have ever seen in the US. Ironically, most of the people on two wheels are safer riders than the people driving cars... And yet were the ones who get a bad rap.

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:47 pm

Since 2006, California treats everything 50cc and up the same way:

--Motorcycle license
--insurance
--helmet

AlleyOops · Post by **AlleyOops** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:51 pm

Same in NY also.. I just got mine last week

hg3 · Post by **hg3** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:56 pm

My take at this time {I hang out with a MSF lead instructor and will ask this question come Sat.}- in CA less the 49 cc, no M1 needed - but I think a class C - have heard from nonofficial source that M-2 is no longer given - will check on this M2 requirement but will find out Sat.

here is the official site:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/motorcycles/motorcycles.htm

no sooner posted then read above Edwub post - which is right on but will still ask Sat of MSF friend/contact.

Uncle Groucho · Post by **Uncle Groucho** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:59 pm

State of Georgia requires anything over 50cc to have a license and insurance. Helmet is required for 50s and up. They won't title/tag anything 50 and under; some cops treat a derestricted scooter like a motorcycle and threaten to ticket you.

A print out of the part about the state not issuing a tag for a 50cc engine fits mighty nice in the pet carrier...

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue May 01, 2012 7:03 pm

Oregon has a moped exemption for scooters 50cc and under that are not capable of exceeding 30 mph. Still must be titled and licensed. The rider doesn't need a motorcycle endorsement but must have either a regular drivers license or a restricted moped license. No passenger allowed. Minimum insurance requirement applies. As no modern 50cc scooter really complies with the 30 mph maximum anyway, I don't know why anyone in Oregon would even bother as the differences are hardly worth the trouble - or risk of a citation.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:13 pm

CO you have to have a regular license and insurance for 50cc (cheap insurance!) and endorsement over 50.

I took the course, and haven't been on a motorcycle since. I wouldn't mind getting a small one someday but really I don't have much need for it.

HepCat · Post by **HepCat** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:24 pm

Seems most states are more or less the same.. I've met a few people locally that do not have the endorsement and have been riding for years.. On the other hand, the police in Tacoma are fairly easy going. It's kinda like Mexico.. you can get away with a lot of little things, but if you're doing something really stupid.. you're gonna be REALLY sorry.

cheers!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:35 pm

HepCat wrote:Seems most states are more or less the same.

As I recall, Washington requirements to qualify for the moped exemption include displacement under 50cc, less than 2 hp, and no more than 30 mph on level ground. The Buddy 50 certainly doesn't meet the hp limit and I doubt many modern scooters do. (some states such as Idaho include a minimum wheel size or a pedal requirement specifically to sort out real mopeds from small scooters - anyone that is interested in this needs to read the current DMV rules in their state pretty carefully as this whole issue has been in a state of change lately)

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:37 pm

HepCat... did you take that name from the band? Awsome!!! ( I like that ska music)....

HepCat · Post by **HepCat** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:58 pm

Drum Pro wrote:HepCat... did you take that name from the band? Awsome!!! ( I like that ska music)....

No , but I found the band shortly after picking it, and am really diggin 'em!
a nice mix of traditional Reggae style ska and the more modern flavor IMO

Jana · Post by **Jana** » Wed May 02, 2012 5:01 pm

Mutt the Hoople wrote:Same in Missouri. Anything over 50cc you need a motorcycle endorsement. In fact, to take the Motorcycle Riding Safety Course at Forrest Park, you also have to show proof of health insurance. Good thing I suppose. Even though I live here, I acknowledge that we have some of the worst drivers I have ever seen in the US. Ironically, most of the people on two wheels are safer riders than the people driving cars... And yet were the ones who get a bad rap.

Ditto on the horrible drivers.... I guess that comes from not requiring driving tests after a certain age, unless you let your license expire.

I've had my Motorcycle endorsement here in MO since 1980 (OMG, now you know I'm old!), and thankfully kept it the few years I was bikeless.

I'm chuckling at the shifting comment, because that was the first thing that really through me on my first scooter ride was not having to shift. It really threw me!

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Wed May 02, 2012 5:35 pm

HepCat wrote:
Drum Pro wrote:HepCat... did you take that name from the band? Awsome!!! ( I like that ska music)....
No , but I found the band shortly after picking it, and am really diggin 'em!
a nice mix of traditional Reggae style ska and the more modern flavor IMO

"HepCat" used to be a comic strip in "High Times" magazine. Ask me how I know.

HepCat · Post by **HepCat** » Wed May 02, 2012 5:38 pm

Raiderfn311 wrote:
HepCat wrote:
Drum Pro wrote:HepCat... did you take that name from the band? Awsome!!! ( I like that ska music)....
No , but I found the band shortly after picking it, and am really diggin 'em!
a nice mix of traditional Reggae style ska and the more modern flavor IMO
"HepCat" used to be a comic strip in "High Times" magazine. Ask me how I know.

I think I may remember that.. and I won't ask