Trike License Requirements
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Virginia
Trike License Requirements
So response in another thread got me wondering about which states require what type of license to ride trike like the Freewheeler or Tri Glide.
As best I can tell the states fall into 3 main categories.
1. They require a 3 wheel motorcycle license, with a separate test or class for trikes, although many of these states allow those with a two wheel motorcycle license to also ride trikes. They are.CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, AND WI.
2. The state only has a Motorcycle license, most of these states allow you to take the test on a 2 or 3 wheel motorcycle, although it looks like 2 of them, RI and AK require you to take a test on a 2 wheeler only. They are AL, AK, AZ, AR, DC, GA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MS, MT, NM, NC, OK, RI, SD, TN, AND WY.
3. And 3 states allow those with a regular car license to ride a trike, even though they have a two wheel motorcycle license. They are CA, NV, and SC.
As best I can tell the states fall into 3 main categories.
1. They require a 3 wheel motorcycle license, with a separate test or class for trikes, although many of these states allow those with a two wheel motorcycle license to also ride trikes. They are.CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, AND WI.
2. The state only has a Motorcycle license, most of these states allow you to take the test on a 2 or 3 wheel motorcycle, although it looks like 2 of them, RI and AK require you to take a test on a 2 wheeler only. They are AL, AK, AZ, AR, DC, GA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MS, MT, NM, NC, OK, RI, SD, TN, AND WY.
3. And 3 states allow those with a regular car license to ride a trike, even though they have a two wheel motorcycle license. They are CA, NV, and SC.
Last edited by VAFish; Jan 6, 2020 at 07:26 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Virginia
I was using Can Am's web site, they list Massachusetts as having a three wheel license, but a two wheel license is allowed to drive a three wheeler. Checking Mass.gov they agree with you there is just a M license that allows you to drive 2 or 3 wheelers.
So I bet I had put MA under one on poor information and the MA under two was supposed to be ME.
I wonder how many others are incorrect?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: St.Louis Mo.
Never heard of a three wheel license in Missouri. I have lived here all my life. Kinda sad isn't it .
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Carlsbad, CA
In Oregon if you have a standard endorsement (2 wheel) you can use that for a 3 wheel as well. However, they also offer a license limited to 3 wheels, only good for 3 wheels, but not required for wheels.
I doubt any state requires a 3 wheel specific license, if you already have a 2 wheel license.
I doubt any state requires a 3 wheel specific license, if you already have a 2 wheel license.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Raleigh NC
NC has two levels of motorcycle endorsement; a regular M on the license entitles you to ride 2 or 3 wheels, an M with restrictions listed on the back of the licence only lets you use 3 wheels. You can take the DMV test on 3 wheels, but that gets you the restriction listed on the back
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Virginia
In Oregon if you have a standard endorsement (2 wheel) you can use that for a 3 wheel as well. However, they also offer a license limited to 3 wheels, only good for 3 wheels, but not required for wheels.
I doubt any state requires a 3 wheel specific license, if you already have a 2 wheel license.
I doubt any state requires a 3 wheel specific license, if you already have a 2 wheel license.
Virginia does. We have a M2, M3, and an M license. M2 is only for two wheels and what you get now when you pass the course. M3 is only for 3 wheels and what you get if you take the 3 wheeler course. M is for both the 2 wheel and 2 wheel courses or if you got your motorcycle license before the M2 M3 became law, in which case you are grandfathered in (like I am).
California is an interesting one. You can ride a trike with a regular car license, but you need a motorcycle license for a sidecar.
I'd really like to see some analysis of the accident rates on trikes by state and see if there is an advantage to extra licensing for trikes. We know they are different, but does that extra training result in a lower accident and death rate?
Last edited by VAFish; Jan 7, 2020 at 07:12 AM.