Legal: Motorcycle License And Helmet Laws

[ChuckGG]

What I'm seeing so far is that the Elio will be federally classified as a motorcycle. However, this poses an issue for many people like myself. Where I live (MD), a motorcycle license is required to ride a motorcycle. Therefore, I will need to get a motorcycle license to drive my Elio. It's silly as I have no desire to ride a motorcycle so I don't see why I have to take a safety and riding course to get a license when the Elio is not really a motorcycle at all. Will the Elio get an exemption for this law? I cannot see the Elio selling well if people's current licenses are not valid to drive it. Let alone the cost it must be to insure a "motorcycle rider" with no experience. I know Elio has gotten the helmet law changed and some states have an autocycle classification but Maryland does not as far as I can find.

I'm in Maryland, too. My guess is that Elio will be classified as a motorcycle and I doubt a helmet or MC rating will be required. That said, I wonder if we will have access to single-person in the HOV lanes? That ALONE is reason enough to buy an Elio! Right now, MC's can ride in the HOV lanes.

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Thanks!

 

[goofyone]

I'm in Maryland, too. My guess is that Elio will be classified as a motorcycle and I doubt a helmet or MC rating will be required. That said, I wonder if we will have access to single-person in the HOV lanes? That ALONE is reason enough to buy an Elio! Right now, MC's can ride in the HOV lanes.

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Thanks!

Elio Motors has actually addressed this as a nice potential perk to Elio ownership. This is decided by each state however as long as the Elio is registered as a motorcycle in your state and HOV lane rules allow all motorcycle types, without specifically exempting trikes and/or autocycles, HOV lane access should be a go.

 

[karl]

Chatting with someone in WA about the challenges with him getting a tree wheel endorsement it seems looking in to it, the Elio should not be a problem. http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/gettrike.html

 

[RogWild]

What year ?..You may want to call the DMV now.. You want the number?

CURRENT! -- http://bikertraining.net/ -- 2 days; $200......?? "6 week course"??; YOUR DMV is 'ill informed'...OR.... you didn't understand them!

 

[goofyone]

Chatting with someone in WA about the challenges with him getting a tree wheel endorsement it seems looking in to it, the Elio should not be a problem. http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/gettrike.html

Yup it looks like WA is good to go. This chart is even more clear and concise about endorsements:

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/needendorsement.html

 

[zelio]

Yup it looks like WA is good to go. This chart is even more clear and concise about endorsements:

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/needendorsement.html

I wish every state was that clear and concise. It sure would make our lives easier. Oregon simply has a statement that an enclosed 3 wheel vechile with usual car safety features does not require an endorsement. That is good also. :-) Z

 

[Lil4X]

Texas is similar, even though an MC license for those over 18 and with a certificate of completion of an approved safety course need only take the written test to obtain a Class M endorsement. Thankfully, at least as of now, Texas will not require a MC endorsement for the Elio or similar "enclosed" vehicles.
Site: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/motorcyclelicense.htm
Manual: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-8.pdf

 

[zelio]

Texas is similar, even though an MC license for those over 18 and with a certificate of completion of an approved safety course need only take the written test to obtain a Class M endorsement. Thankfully, at least as of now, Texas will not require a MC endorsement for the Elio or similar "enclosed" vehicles.
Site: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/motorcyclelicense.htm
Manual: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-8.pdf

I scanned the information but could not find anything about MC endorsement. Can you suggest a page where it actually says this? Thanks :-) Z

 

[Lil4X]

Well, these pages refer only to Texas law - I assume you could find a similar page for Oregon's requirements. Most of the references I saw across several states required either a special trike endorsement for a three-wheeler, or if enclosed, like Elio, no additional endorsements to your existing driver's license. Strictly from my point of view, a vehicle with power windows, a windshield wiper, air conditioning, seat belts and airbags would be pretty hard to classify as a motorcycle in any court. But, that's why I'm not an attorney.

Based on http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/motorcycle_endorse.aspx - the way I read it, you don't have to worry about it at all. Worst case scenario, you might have to sit through a Motorcycle Safety class, then show your certificate of completion and proof of insurance when registering your trike. You don't have to take either the written or the riding test to qualify at this point. I don't think any of this will apply to the Elio - as most of these issues have already been resolved. Those few states where it might still be an issue will probably come around by the time manufacturing begins.

 

[zelio]

Well, these pages refer only to Texas law - I assume you could find a similar page for Oregon's requirements. Most of the references I saw across several states required either a special trike endorsement for a three-wheeler, or if enclosed, like Elio, no additional endorsements to your existing driver's license. Strictly from my point of view, a vehicle with power windows, a windshield wiper, air conditioning, seat belts and airbags would be pretty hard to classify as a motorcycle in any court. But, that's why I'm not an attorney.

Based on http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/motorcycle_endorse.aspx - the way I read it, you don't have to worry about it at all. Worst case scenario, you might have to sit through a Motorcycle Safety class, then show your certificate of completion and proof of insurance when registering your trike. You don't have to take either the written or the riding test to qualify at this point. I don't think any of this will apply to the Elio - as most of these issues have already been resolved. Those few states where it might still be an issue will probably come around by the time manufacturing begins.

I have been collecting information by state as it becomes available so that is why I ask. I have known about Washington and Oregon since January but other states have so successfully buried their information it is difficult to find it. That is why I ask. :-) Z