What is an M1 and M2 Motorcycle License?

Posted on Motorcycle Law Blog / Blog / Top Good And Bad Los Angeles, California Motorcycle Clubs

So if you want to avoid finding yourself scooped up off of the highway as a casualty, you better learn. Getting a motorcycle license assures that you have the necessary training. And it is evidence of a responsible, law-abiding citizen. To cut to the chase, you can go to the DMV Rider Requirements Here.

Contents:

• Motorcycle License Requirements
• Difference Between M1 and M2 Permit?
• Classifications
• What if I am Younger than 21?
• Components of the CHP Test
• Example of CHP Testing Harley Wobble
• The Actual Test is 4 Parts
• Can An Unlicensed Rider Recover in Tort?

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What Kind of License Do I Need to Ride a Motorcycle?

The State of California offers two types of motorcycle licenses. The California Vehicle Code provides detailed info on what kinds of self-propelled conveyances can be ridden or not on public roads. And it also covers how they are to be classified and regulated. The classifications for motorcycle licenses are known as M1 and M2.

These licenses differ from traditional Class A, B, or C automobile driver’s license. The M1 and M2 licenses are issued when you want to ride a specific motor vehicle. Two-wheeled vehicles are typically covered with this license, giving them California street, tollway, freeway, and highway riding privileges. If you already have a California Class C license (regular automobile is class C license) you can operate a three-wheeled vehicle, no California motorcycle license needed.

Due to the high risk of life-altering rider injuries, the state needs to ensure two wheeled vehicle cyclists’ arduous permitting process. So its issuance remains DMV involved, and so does re-issuance of a California motoryccle license, harder when compared to a standard passenger car.

What is the Difference Between an M1 or an M2 Permit?

Good question. First, we have to understand what these classifications are compared to a standard car or truck license. First, getting either an M1 or an M2 license requires a minimum six month waiting period. In other words, you have to ride around with a permit before you get a permanent M1 or M2 motorcycle license. Understood?

Getting an operator’s license arguably means that the novice rider made it through the waiting period. Hence, he rode safely. Akin to a provisional license for a teen car permit, the M1 and M2 license permits give a chance to test and improve skills before they take the test for their real motorcycle license in California. So how can you tell the main difference between an M1 or M2 permit? For starters, teens will face no motorcycle license requirements for an adult riding with them, which they would have under a teen passenger car learning permit.

Classifications

Class M1 and M2 permits enable a rider to operate motor-driven cycles, two-wheel motorcycles, and motorized scooters like a Vespa. The California Vehicle Code lists all vehicles covered under M1 and M2 status, which are for a motorcycle license. An M2 is a motorcycle license for slower scooters and two-wheeled cars. California law mandates that permits under Call M1 or M2 restrict the bike occupants to one rider. Also, no passengers are allowed. And operation must be during daylight times only.

So a class M2 is a far more restrictive and:

A “motorized bicycle” or “moped” or a two or three-wheeled machine able to travel no more than 30 mph on a normal surface, and equipped with:

1. Human powered pedals to propel the vehicle.
2. A motorized battery that displaces less than two gross brake horsepower with an automatic transmission.

Again, this is an essential permit prior to issuance of a regular California motorcycle license. And we suggest you take a private rider training safety course too. But get a license before daring the city streets. Also, the California motorcycle license applicant must be at least 21 years old, and:

• Obtain and complete the required forms.
• Pay the permit application costs/fees.
• Go through the hasty eye at the DMV. Then get a photo of your mug taken, and give up fingerprints.
• Take and Successfully Pass the written portion of the rider’s test while at the DMV. The test covers specific rules for riders and sees if you understand necessary traffic signage warnings and signals.
• Last on the list is that a rider must show proof of completing “Motorcycle Training DL389.” Just bring the certificate along and keep a copy for your records.

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP), which is CHP administered remains the only official state-approved training course motorcyclists. After passing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (Form DL 389). You can seek a motorcycle test waiver from the DMV in certain circumstances.

How Does Someone Younger than 21 Get a Rider Permit?

I started riding off the road, and admittedly I was young, probably 16 years old. But I had no permits. So I learned by doing. But I was not interested in street riding. And I still pause for thought before ever braving California surface streets. Especially if during rush hour on weekdays, I refuse to ride.

Some brave teens still opt for a chopper, or rice rocket, instead of a hot rod or cool car. Some teens, especially boys, imagine themselves in their Rebel Without a Cause Leathers, cool riding gloves, biker boots, and tough-looking helmet. The alluring look of a street warrior is magnetic.

Also, some teens come from low-income families. So they need cheap transport to get to and from school and their evening jobs. There is a process to get permitted and eventually licensed. But this is more arduous than obtaining a traditional CDL.

Before you take the exam, get written approval from your parents or adult guardians. Also, you must take and complete a driver’s education course. Next, you must show proof you attended an approved training school. Last but not least, the CHP requires that you pass their riding course. Here is a list of the CHP rider courses, as well as the class schedules. You can also use the website to schedule your testing.

What Does the California Highway Patrol Test You On?

There are many locations to choose from when you are ready to take your CHP skills assessment test. You need to be wearing your riding gear and be prepared to roll. The test-examiners will question your knowledge of the bike, where the various switches are, and what they do.

=For example, you will need to know where the horn is, where the clutch and accelerator, gear selector, brakes, starter or kick start is on the vehicle, etc. Once you prove you comprehend the essential functions of the bike. You also need to know how to operate the turn signals, high and low beam lights.

Once you have proven you have a basic comprehension of the bike, you will b instructed to ride your motorcycle through an introductory course that tests you on the most common scenarios and judges your responses. It is smart to use a bike you are already familiar with for the test, if at all possible. A large or unfamiliar bike could mean you hit the orange cones and get disqualified.

Example of the CHP Testing the Harley Wobble

Above, you can see why the CHP is so concerned about a novice rider entering the roads. After all, they don’t want to arrive at a traffic scene and scrape you off the pavement. For that reason, the test is pass or fail. There is no grading system like A, B, C, etc. A no pass means you start all over again. So you repay the fee, schedule a new date, etc.

The Riding Test Itself

This is only a necessary, noncomprehensive test. It is still vital and tests four critical rider skills as follows:

1. Serpentine ride
2. Slow ride
3. Circle ride
4. Gear Shift ride.

If you pass, you get to traverse the roads. But an M1 or M2 permit/license does not, by any means, insulate you from getting in a wreck. If you do get in an at-fault accident, you can get a ticket. But you may also lose your privilege to ride. If you’re hit with a speeding ticket infraction and not felony driving over 100 mph, you will probably only lose a point on your DMV driving record. Because of this, you may see an increase in your motorcycle rider liability insurance rates.

Also, at least 12% of all reported crashes on the bike are due to unlicensed riders in the Golden State. And this makes logical sense. After all, at least a million vehicles travel the roadways at any particular hour of the day. The statistics show us that non-permitted or non-licensed riders have an eight times greater chance of engaging in unsafe operation of their cycles.

It is simply reckless to go riding when you’re not properly permitted. If you cause a severe injury to another, investigations could find you at fault. Most of all, this means a long-term or permanent license suspension. But you could serve jail time. Criminal restitution may be in order too.

Can I Still Get Money if Injured and Not Properly Licensed or Permitted?

Our team of highly aggressive injury attorney at Ehline Law Firm motorcycle lawyers says to use your brain when you ride. But if you ride without proper papers, you still can recover from injuries that were not your fault. So with or without an M2 or M-1, ehlinelaw.com has the experience, knowledge, and skill. And we can take your case all the way through insurance settlement negotiations to trial. We have a no recovery, no fee policy. All Los Angeles accident victims should call (213) 596-9642 or use our online contact form today.

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Michael Ehline

Michael is a managing partner at the nationwide Ehline Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC. He’s an inactive Marine and became a lawyer in the California State Bar Law Office Study Program, later receiving his J.D. from UWLA School of Law. Michael has won some of the world’s largest motorcycle accident settlements.

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