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A Couple Of Iowa Specific Questions

Jerry Greif

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That's where I'm at. It's not that expensive to get a Motorcycle Endorsement, but I don't have a bike, and the thought of having to take that test to drive an Elio seems silly. But, we're talking Government here. Licensing the vehicle as a motor cycle seems to be a given. I'm fine with that. But as you said, having to track down a bike and practice enough to pass the test is going to be a huge deal.
If they require you to have the motorcycle endorsement to drive your Elio just remember that you can use your Elio for the driving test you don't need to learn to ride a motorcycle.
 

karl

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JDub

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That's where I'm at. It's not that expensive to get a Motorcycle Endorsement, but I don't have a bike, and the thought of having to take that test to drive an Elio seems silly. But, we're talking Government here. Licensing the vehicle as a motor cycle seems to be a given. I'm fine with that. But as you said, having to track down a bike and practice enough to pass the test is going to be a huge deal.
Take the driver's test in your Elio. As this is the vehicle you will be operating it should be the vehicle you take your test in. Would like to see the look on the skills test examiner when you walk out to your Elio.
 

Bilbo B

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There is actually a 'Three Wheel' portion to the IDOT Motorcycle License manual (http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/mcmanual.pdf - page 33 on) including a driving test portion (pages 36, 37). There's a 'weave between cones' bit that might be interesting given the width and length of the Elio. Depends upon how they space the cones. Hopefully they wave all that off.
 

Areyouhigh

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There is actually a 'Three Wheel' portion to the IDOT Motorcycle License manual (http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/mcmanual.pdf - page 33 on) including a driving test portion (pages 36, 37). There's a 'weave between cones' bit that might be interesting given the width and length of the Elio. Depends upon how they space the cones. Hopefully they wave all that off.

Middle column, P.33
"The following vehicles are not included in this definition, and, therefore, testing requirements may not be applicable.
Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:
...

• Vehicles with automotive controls or seating.
• Vehicles with front- or rear- mounted engines
(engines must be mounted mid-frame
below the rider to be considered motorcycle based).
• Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments."

By my interpretation this means probably no MC license needed?
 

Jim H

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Middle column, P.33
"The following vehicles are not included in this definition, and, therefore, testing requirements may not be applicable.
Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:
...

• Vehicles with automotive controls or seating.
• Vehicles with front- or rear- mounted engines
(engines must be mounted mid-frame
below the rider to be considered motorcycle based).
• Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments."

By my interpretation this means probably no MC license needed?
Welcome to the forum and congratulations for jumping right into the discussions and providing this information to our members. Every state is different and it's great to get input from local residents. Hope you enjoy the forum and the Elio journey
 

Music Man

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Middle column, P.33
"The following vehicles are not included in this definition, and, therefore, testing requirements may not be applicable.
Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:
...

• Vehicles with automotive controls or seating.
• Vehicles with front- or rear- mounted engines
(engines must be mounted mid-frame
below the rider to be considered motorcycle based).
• Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments."

By my interpretation this means probably no MC license needed?
WELCOME to the forum, Areyouhigh. Happy to have you on board!

And to answer your "question," for EVERYONE on the forum: "Yes Sir, we are ALL 'high' on this great little car. . . . . , and we exhibit it here to ALL. :D
 

Bilbo B

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Iowa
Middle column, P.33
"The following vehicles are not included in this definition, and, therefore, testing requirements may not be applicable.
Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:
...

• Vehicles with automotive controls or seating.
• Vehicles with front- or rear- mounted engines
(engines must be mounted mid-frame
below the rider to be considered motorcycle based).
• Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments."

By my interpretation this means probably no MC license needed?
Good catch. I'd read teh testing requirements, but not the bit preceding them. Two things cause some concern/confusion:

"Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:" - This manual is published by the Iowa DOT. Why a generic reference?

"testing requirements may not be applicable" - 'Testing' vs 'Licensing'? If it said "License requirements may not be applicable" THAT would be definitive.
We've still got a year. Plenty of time to sort things out. But this certainly is encouraging.
 

Joshua Caldwell

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Middle column, P.33
"The following vehicles are not included in this definition, and, therefore, testing requirements may not be applicable.
Always refer to your state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Licensing or other appropriate state regulatory agency for exact regulations regarding testing for:
...

• Vehicles with automotive controls or seating.
• Vehicles with front- or rear- mounted engines
(engines must be mounted mid-frame
below the rider to be considered motorcycle based).
• Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments."

By my interpretation this means probably no MC license needed?
Welcome :) these are testing requirements, which may not be the same requirements as for what a MC license is needed for. There are other states where the Elio cannot be used for testing, but MC license is required to drive. That said, Elio does have someone working on changing this.
 

Bilbo B

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Iowa
Talked to Jerome today and in Iowa, you will need a motorcycle endorsement on your Drivers License to drive the Elio. At least as of today. Obviously we don't have to worry about a helmet.

I talked to Jerome and one other person about service, and they didn't have anything to share. It sounded like they might contract with local shops to become official Elio Service shops, or maybe regional companies (Please not Tuffy's). They indicated there would be specific Elio training required to get that official status. Can't believe every Pep Boys mechanic will have to do that, but maybe they have an in-house training system they can use. Or maybe not every mechanic at a Pep Boys will be certified to work on an Elio.
 
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