I've had the 2-wheel M endorsement on my Ohio driver's license for 40 years, and when I bought my Spyder last September I just figured that endorsement would allow me to legally ride it. But this question got me to thinking, so I did some research. Ohio has separate 2-wheel and 3-wheel motorcycle endorsements, and separate riding tests.
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How many States require a Motorcycle Endorsement for Spyders?
- Thread starter Smitty42
- Start date
Jackhartjr
Active member
It is generally accepted that if you are pulled over in another State than the State you are licensed in, that they'll honor the requirements from your State!
Jsmith8695
Member
NY requires an endorsement. The MSF course for 3 wheels is limited to 3 wheels. 2 wheel course is for any motorcycle
Deanna777
Well-known member
VT requires an endorsement on your license. When you pass the 3 wheel motorcycle course here in VT, you get a separate card saying that you are 'restricted to ONLY 3 wheels'.
Also, the 3 wheel motorcycle driving test is the same as the 2 wheel motorcycle driving test. When you do the driving part (with a Can Am Spyder) the cones are moved apart to accommodate the greater width of the Spyder.
Also, every VT resident who operates a motorcycle on the highway in VT MUST hold a valid VT Drivers or Jr. license with the proper motorcycle endorsement. Upon successful completion of the Knowledge exam, you will be required to successfully complete a skills test exam before the endorsement will be issued. You must pass a 25 question, multiple choice knowledge exam (80% or higher) based on the material in the motorcycle manual.
Deanna
Also, the 3 wheel motorcycle driving test is the same as the 2 wheel motorcycle driving test. When you do the driving part (with a Can Am Spyder) the cones are moved apart to accommodate the greater width of the Spyder.
Also, every VT resident who operates a motorcycle on the highway in VT MUST hold a valid VT Drivers or Jr. license with the proper motorcycle endorsement. Upon successful completion of the Knowledge exam, you will be required to successfully complete a skills test exam before the endorsement will be issued. You must pass a 25 question, multiple choice knowledge exam (80% or higher) based on the material in the motorcycle manual.
Deanna
Cobranut
Active member
In VA, you can ride any 2 or 3 wheel vehicle with a Class M endorsement.
They also have a 3 wheel only endorsement if you don't already have the Class M.
I took my motorcycle test at the same time as my original driver's license test, so I've never had a license without Class M.
They also have a 3 wheel only endorsement if you don't already have the Class M.
I took my motorcycle test at the same time as my original driver's license test, so I've never had a license without Class M.
Dasmoetorhead
Active member
I never worry about it. I've kept my motorcycle endorsement active since 1972. That's even though I was in the military for 20 years and had quite a few drivers license changes. Took the AMA Motorcycle safety course in 1986 on my Yamaha XS 750 Triple.
TN considers Spyders as motorcycles, so you need the endorsement and a helmet.
TN considers Spyders as motorcycles, so you need the endorsement and a helmet.
canamjhb
Well-known member
I got my motorcycle endorsement in Washington State in the early 80s after many years riding 2 wheelers, mostly off road. Having an endorsement during those early years was not even on my radar screen. Fast forward... I kept my MC endorsement and it was automatically (for a small fee) added to my Arizona license when I became an Arizona resident 10 years ago. Never gave it another thought and have always kept it. When I transitioned to 3 wheels at the age of 70, I didn't even think about needing any endorsement change. Been all over the country and Canada on both 2 and 3 wheelers. Maybe there were places where I wasn't legal... I don't know, and at this point, I don't care...
Here's a page from the Can-Am website with license requirements for the 50 U.S. states:
https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en/learn-to-ride/license-requirements.html.
It tells me the 2-wheel M endorsement on my Ohio license permits me to ride my Spyder.
https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en/learn-to-ride/license-requirements.html.
It tells me the 2-wheel M endorsement on my Ohio license permits me to ride my Spyder.
djh3
Member
Wow! Someone else who has been riding that long on a Fla license. I was stationed in Ok, and when I came home on leave to renew one year, they told me I had to have an MC endorsement. I showed them my base certification card and was in.
Little Blue
SpyderLovers Ambassador
Indiana requires a motorcycle endorsement on your Drivers License. I have the 2 wheel endorsement. This covers 2 and 3 wheel. You can do a 3 wheel endorsement which is an easier test. My wife did the 3 wheel endorsement. In Indiana you can get a motorcycle License. I believe this is something New.
Washington State requires a three wheel specific endorsement. It didn't when I moved there from California in the 80s. My two wheel motorcycle endorsement doesn't count. My Spyder lives in Arizona which also requires a three wheel endorsement. So, I'm looking into the class to get an Arizona three wheel license. Odds are I'll never get stopped, but if I do, I don't want my insurance rates to climb because I was riding without the proper license. Also not sure what insurance would do if something happens.
Tom your motorcycle endorsement if you still have it should be all you need in AZ. I hope so since that is what I have.
My Washington state motorcycle endorsement says on the back of my license: J-Two wheel motorcycle only. I know Arizona honors the Washington endorsement, but since both states now require a three wheel endorsement, I'm concerned my Washington license won't be valid for the Spyder. May be making a call to AZ dol.
canamjhb
Well-known member
My final thoughts... When I got my MC endorsement in Washington State, there were 3 levels of MC endorsements depending upon the MC's size. I got the highest level. Spyders, Trikes, and MCs are all licensed as motorcycles and having the MC endorsement means (I believe) that I can legally ride any motorcycle...
As someone pointed out in an earlier post, in IL if your take the MSF Basic Rider's Course and pass (which is easy) you get your motorcycle endorsement without any other testing, and it covers you for all types of motorcycles including 3 wheelers. But you can go to the driver's license office and take the IL State test instead. If you take that test on a 2 wheeler of over 150cc's then you are licensed for everything. If you take the test on a Spyder or other 3 wheeler, you are then licensed only for 3 wheelers. Taking the test on the little course behind the DMV building can be a challenge on a 2 wheeler due to the small size of the course, especially the u-turn requirement, but taking that test on a Spyder is ridiculously easy.
If you only plan to ride a Spyder, and never a 2 wheeler, you could easily pass the state test without any outside training. If you can drive a car, you can ride a Spyder. The only risk would be in riding the Spyder that you bought over the DMV office to take the test, without having a license. But if you ride slowly and carefully, its pretty unlikely that you would be stopped on your way there, and with a license in hand when you leave you would be fully legal.
If you only plan to ride a Spyder, and never a 2 wheeler, you could easily pass the state test without any outside training. If you can drive a car, you can ride a Spyder. The only risk would be in riding the Spyder that you bought over the DMV office to take the test, without having a license. But if you ride slowly and carefully, its pretty unlikely that you would be stopped on your way there, and with a license in hand when you leave you would be fully legal.
EdMat
Well-known member
If you take the riding test at one of the test centers in Mississippi the State Trooper will ask how you got the bike there.
I'd tell them that my buddy, who does have a license, rode it down for me while I drove my car.
He didn't want to sit around waiting while I did the test, so he took my car & drove down to that bar we passed on the way so he could have a couple of drinks while he waits, and I can call him if I need him to ride it home.
Juuust Jokin'! I'd never let anyone drive my car or ride my bike after they'd had a couple of drinks.
Many people, I'd just never let 'em anywhere near either, regardless of whether they'd been drinking or not! 
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