Texas Trike Laws
Texas Trike Laws
This is in Texas HB 3838, sec 4, section 547.617. It is in effect. Question is: Is there anyone teaching trike specific motorcycle training courses?
AN ACT
relating to motorcycle equipment and training and the license
requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie's Law.
SECTION 2. Section 521.148(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for an original Class M license or Class A,
B, or C driver's license that includes an authorization to operate a
motorcycle must furnish to the department evidence satisfactory to
the department that the applicant has successfully completed a
[basic] motorcycle operator training course approved by the
department under Chapter 662. The department shall issue a Class M
license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle.
AN ACT
relating to motorcycle equipment and training and the license
requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie's Law.
SECTION 2. Section 521.148(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for an original Class M license or Class A,
B, or C driver's license that includes an authorization to operate a
motorcycle must furnish to the department evidence satisfactory to
the department that the applicant has successfully completed a
[basic] motorcycle operator training course approved by the
department under Chapter 662. The department shall issue a Class M
license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632
Likes: 1
From: Grand Junction, Co.
I'll bet that's a standard AMA approve rider safety course ... and as stated, it's just for first time issues ... if renewing or probably transferring from another state this won't be necessary .. my guess but be sure to check it out. In Colorado you don't need to do one but if you have the cert, the wave the road test. When I came hear from Washington, they didn't need anything but the car and motorcycle written test, and $$$. And, there is no difference between bike, or trike ... but ask the questions cause dmv's vary state to state ... sometimes county to county or even city to city
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Katy, Texas
read Malorie's Law closely - dedicated footboards/pegs and handholds - any operator has to have 2 years experience with M endorsement before carrying passenger OR the passenger has to have an M endorsement for 2 years. Won't impact many of us, but it yet another example of more unnecessary intervention. It has a sport bike focus (which is it's own bizarre issue) but finishes by defining a motorcycle as anything with three wheels or less. It could be a stretch, but best be aware of the law.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 211
Likes: 14
From: Baytown, TX
I guess I'm too thick in the head.
In simple terms, what does this mean?
I took a standard motorcycle safety training course in Houston.
That allowed me to restore my old (years ago) M endorsement without taking a road test.
So are they saying we need a training class specific to a three wheeler?
In simple terms, what does this mean?
I took a standard motorcycle safety training course in Houston.
That allowed me to restore my old (years ago) M endorsement without taking a road test.
So are they saying we need a training class specific to a three wheeler?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 394
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Hey guys,
Not a lawyer but I deal with technical specifications and contracts; it's a pain, but it looks like this stuff.
Look at the last statement, which seems to be the only one dealing with trikes. It says:
"The department shall issue a Class M license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle."
First part of the sentence says that they will issue a class M(otorcycle) license that restricts you to only operating a trike IF the second part applies. "The department shall issue a Class M license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle..." If you don't meet the IF, you get an unrestricted class M.
So when are you restricted to operating a trike?
"...if the motorcycle operator training course completed by the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle."
So it looks like if you do your requirements in a trike-only class, that's all you can ride. If not, then you get a full motorcycle license and you can ride whatever you want, unrestricted. Trike or bike.
I just wonder if there is any other wording in the document that may contradict that part. Just my two cents, your mileage may vary, no warranty assumed or implied, yada yada yada....
Not a lawyer but I deal with technical specifications and contracts; it's a pain, but it looks like this stuff.
Look at the last statement, which seems to be the only one dealing with trikes. It says:
"The department shall issue a Class M license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle."
First part of the sentence says that they will issue a class M(otorcycle) license that restricts you to only operating a trike IF the second part applies. "The department shall issue a Class M license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle..." If you don't meet the IF, you get an unrestricted class M.
So when are you restricted to operating a trike?
"...if the motorcycle operator training course completed by the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle."
So it looks like if you do your requirements in a trike-only class, that's all you can ride. If not, then you get a full motorcycle license and you can ride whatever you want, unrestricted. Trike or bike.
I just wonder if there is any other wording in the document that may contradict that part. Just my two cents, your mileage may vary, no warranty assumed or implied, yada yada yada....
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632
Likes: 1
From: Grand Junction, Co.
This is in Texas HB 3838, sec 4, section 547.617. It is in effect. Question is: Is there anyone teaching trike specific motorcycle training courses?
AN ACT
relating to motorcycle equipment and training and the license
requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie's Law.
SECTION 2. Section 521.148(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for an original Class M license or Class A,
B, or C driver's license that includes an authorization to operate a
motorcycle must furnish to the department evidence satisfactory to
the department that the applicant has successfully completed a
[basic] motorcycle operator training course approved by the
department under Chapter 662. The department shall issue a Class M
license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle.
AN ACT
relating to motorcycle equipment and training and the license
requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie's Law.
SECTION 2. Section 521.148(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for an original Class M license or Class A,
B, or C driver's license that includes an authorization to operate a
motorcycle must furnish to the department evidence satisfactory to
the department that the applicant has successfully completed a
[basic] motorcycle operator training course approved by the
department under Chapter 662. The department shall issue a Class M
license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by
the applicant is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled
motorcycle.
My guess is if you submit a motorcycle safety course cert from a course that is three wheel specific, you will be issued a license that allows you to ride a three wheeler only. I suspect this is to prevent an operator from taking and passing a course on a trike, getting an unrestricted class M license then riding a two wheeler they are not prepared to ride safely. I think it was Washington, that would not give me an unrestricted M when I took the test on a 120 dirt bike ... had to do it on my '65 sporty with the Paco hard tail frame and 16 over springer front end ... Gal doing the test said if I could pass on the sporty ... she didn't care what I tried to ride .... LOL ... Not sure I could do it now ... 35 years older, 100 pounds heavier ... and a tad less aggressive in the saddle these days.
Last edited by FuzzyWuzHe; Jan 4, 2015 at 11:04 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Spring, TX
In answer to your base question, here is a list of the laces that offer the MSF Trike Course.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/tra...aspx?Type_ID=7
I would think you would want to get the unrestricted license if possible, but there may be other factors we are not aware of that restrict you to Trike only.
This law sounds a lot like the one that restricts someone with a Concealed Carry license to only carrying a revolver if that is what they took the training/test with, but allows them to carry either a revolver or an automatic if they took the test with an automatic.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/tra...aspx?Type_ID=7
I would think you would want to get the unrestricted license if possible, but there may be other factors we are not aware of that restrict you to Trike only.
This law sounds a lot like the one that restricts someone with a Concealed Carry license to only carrying a revolver if that is what they took the training/test with, but allows them to carry either a revolver or an automatic if they took the test with an automatic.