If no Class M, even if you have an insurance policy, if you are at fault in an accident, read your policy.

Insurance may not have to pay...yet retain your premium paid money.

Good luck.

 

I'm an RC also (retired), and work at a trauma center. $25,000 gets you a pillow for a weekend nowadays. The dollar doesn't go very far in this industry.
And yes, everyone get licensed!

 

When Michigan first instituted the M endorsement in the late 60's - early 70's, it was possible to get it by stating that you had ridden "X" number of miles in the last year. I didn't have a bike at the time, but rode once in a while, thought it'd be a good idea to get it. Wonder how many other Michigan riders never had to take the SOS (DMV) driving test for the MC endorsement..

A friend who restored vintage motorbikes took his '57 Cushman Eagle to use for the driving test a few years ago. He had one problem - the test included getting the bike up to a certain speed and stopping in a marked distance - the 8 horse Husky motor and 2 speed transmission just didn't make it, the instructor finally waved that after about 4 tries..

 

Doesn't make sense to me, but....
http://www.illinoisvehicle.com/insur...ses-we-accept/

 

Insurance in Virginia is interesting... To register a vehicle, you must have insurance on it. To park said vehicle on a public street, you must have it registered. In some counties (Fairfax up north is notorious for this), unless it's completely covered, it better be registered, even if it's on your property. if they see it, they'll hit you with a ticket. Even if you ain't driving it anywhere.

If you drop insurance on a vehicle, say you are putting in a garage for storage or getting it restored and don't want to pay insurance on it, you're license will be suspended until you show proof that you know longer own the vehicle. I had given a truck to my nephew and he didn't register it in his name for like 6 months. My wife dropped the policy and I had to do some quick phenageling to keep my license!

So, me, insurance and the DMV, we ain't always been friends... But, I am currently current and legal and plan to stay that way.

My first vehicle was a motorcycle, an HD in fact. I had no idea how to drive a car (other than having watched others drive) and had never even been on the back of a motorcycle. I was not in the 'proper state of mind' when I bought it, nor when I kick started it and rode off with a simple explanation of one down, three up, foot clutch, no front brake... I rode that bike for a while unlicensed and unregistered before I was even old enough to get a driver's license.

When I got my license, I checked the box that said 'M' Class and got my endorsement. I sold that bike when I started driving cars and it took me a number of years to get a bike back. When I did, somewhere along the line, the M endorsement had fallen off my license... to get it back I had to take the test. I screwed around and rode a few more years without endorsement or insurance. Eventually a few years turned into a lot of years.

Last year, when I talked about buying a newer bike, my wife said she wanted to learn to ride, so we took the MSF course together. I'm glad I took the course, it lowered my insurance and made me less puckery around police. I am not sure I learned anything new, but I was reminded of some things and any bit of safety is worth it to me these days. I've never been pulled over or ever gotten a ticket on a motorcycle... Knock on wood. I hope that string continues. Mainly because I don't drive lake an *******, or ride with ********.

Some of the folks in the MSF course probably shouldn't have gotten a license. My wife is still too nervous to do any real riding. She really needs more practice to be comfortable, if she ever gets there. But, I always encourage anyone who asks me about riding to take the MSF course and get their license before riding on the street. I always have, actually. Ever since it was a thing. Hypocrite I might be, but, legal I am!

 

Alabama Motorcycle License Riding Restrictions

Riders 14 and 15 Years Old
Riders who are 14 and 15 years old will receive a Class M license with a "B" restriction. This restriction indicates that you may only operate a motor-driven cycle. When you turn 16 years old, you will become eligible to take the exams for an unrestricted Class M motorcycle license. The AL Class M license is valid for 4 years.

Riders 16 Years and Older
If you're the age of 16 years old or older and have met the requirements and passed the tests, you'll be issued an unrestricted Class M driver's license. This license allows you to legally operate either a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle.

In order to get the Class M you either have to take an MSF course or the written test.

A motor-driven cycle is defined as any motorcycle or motor scooter that has:
A motor that produces no more than 5 HP (hp).
An engine size of 150 CC (cc) or less.
A weight of less than 200 lbs. when fully equipped.
If you're looking to get licensed for and register your scooter, moped, or motor-driven cycle, you'll want to visit our page on Scooters and Mopeds in Alabama.

A motorcycle is defined as being:
A motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider.
Designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, excluding a tractor.

I originally got my M endorsement in 1978 in California where it is required to ride and insure a motorcycle. I also had to take a written test and skills test before getting it.

 

Correct. And even if you are not at fault, violating your state's motorcycle license requirement is not going to do anything good for you. It could be argued you were negligent for even being on the road when you did not have a M license.


In IL, Violation of Classification (a ticket usually issued to people who get caught riding without an M endorsement on their DL) is a Class B midemeanor.

 

A few years ago a little old lady was coming home from the casino and crossed the center line and hit a guy and his wife on their motorcycle. She was killed and he was seriously injured. The little old lady didn't even get a ticket because the rider did not have a M endorsement. He was automatically at fault because he should not have been there.


Why anyone would not get a license and insurance is beyond me. Other than the test, it is no more expensive to have the proper endorsement and the insurance on my bike is $25.00 a month.

 

Some people are just born to do things the hard way. They usually pay the price at some point.

 

The first bike I ever bought was from a used motorcycle dealership. I didn't have an endorsement, nor did I have insurance. I paid cash for the bike, loaded it up in the back of my pickup and off I went! I got my endorsement and insurance about a week later. This was back in the late 80's. I don't know if you can even purchase a bike now without an endorsement or not.

On another note, one of my wife's co-workers has been riding for years out her in Kalifornia and has never had his M1 endorsement. He also claims he has been pulled over several times and the cops don't even flinch.