Getting a M1 or M2 in CA

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Tyler6357

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Mar 15, 2012
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Hello friends!

After riding my bike around for 8 years with no motorcycle or moped license I finally decided to get my M2 license after narrowly missing a cop car who turned in front of me. It was a clean miss and I didn't get stopped. I had gotten the license plate already.

So I as I understood it. All I had to do was take a written test and pay the fine (oooops, I mean fee) and get the endorsement for moped (M2) on my class C license. So I go to the DMV and fill out the application, the guy says that the same tests are used for the M1 and the M2. That both require me to do a driving test as well as a written test and that the fees for both are the same. He asks me how many cc my engine is. I said that I wasn't sure, but that it's already registered as a moped. He tells me that if it is 50cc or more than it's a motorcycle, again I told him that it is registered as a moped already. So why would anyone get an M2 instead of an M1 I asked him, his response was "who knows". I told him that I don't have a motorcycle so I ask him if I can take the driving test with a moped and get an M1 license? "Yes" he replies. Is this guy right or is he talking out his bunghole? I'm going to the DMV today to take the written test because they wouldn't let me take the written test after 4:30pm yesterday. I already paid the fee. Do I have to schedule a driving test? I'm going to try to get these questions answered, hopefully from a different employee. I think he is full of it, what do you guys think?
 
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Venice Motor Bikes

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Here's what it is.... You must pass a written test & a short driving test to get the motorcycle license.
You can't take the driving test on a motorized bicycle (it must be a motorcycle or scooter), & the test is only driving around some cones in the DMV parking lot.

I don't know about any difference between a motorcycle (or moped) license... I have had a M1 since the mid 1980s.

My girlfriend recently went to get her M1 (motorcycle license) & she was allowed to take the driving test on a 49cc scooter.

Also... I highly advise that you get the M1 because it's probably just as easy to pass & it allows you to drive any two or three wheel vehicle, (not just mopeds).
 
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MotorBicycleRacing

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Get the M1.
Do not ask DMV employees about our bikes
The DMV guy is wrong about above 50cc being a motorcycle.
The definition of a Motorized Bicycle/ Moped was 2 HP or less.
Now it is 4 HP or less. The damn license plate form says 4 HP now.
To get an M1 or M2 you have to pass the written test before you can take the driving test.
It is the same test for both.
You can not take the written test and the skills parking lot test on the same day.
You will get a M1 temp license after passing the written test whuch is good for one year
with the restriction of not driving at night or carrying a passenger.
You can not take the skills parking lot test on a motorized bike.
You need an insured plated Motorcyle or Motor driven cycle which includes 49 cc "scooters"
A scooter by definition in CA is a GoPed. lol which requires only a C license.
3 wheelers only need a C license.
 
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Tyler6357

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Alright, thank you for the information. I don't think I can get an M1 license because I don't own a motorcycle. Today, I went back to the DMV to take the f***ing test. There were literally 70 people in line. I waited for 20 mins while 1 employee was there to help the whole line and 8 other employees stand around with their thumbs up their ass. I made it about 1/4 of the way through the line when I saw an employee standing in front of a sign that said "License tests". So I step out of line and ask her if I have to stand in this long line to take the test, that I have already paid yesterday and they wouldn't give me the test because it was 4:30. The lady says to me, "oh no, you don't have to wait in that long line, just go to window 5 and they will give a number and they will call you to give you the test". I go to window 5, wait about 15 mins to get through that line only for the guy to tell me that I have to wait in the long line. I go back the the lady and she tells me, "I guess you have to wait in the line".....I have to get at the end of the line again that now reaches out in the parking lot. I tell her that it is now 2:30 and if I wait in that line again it will be again after 4:30 and you will deny me the test again. She looks me in the eye and says "You have to get here earlier". Seriously, I told her she was a lying useless b*tch and that I have better things to do than wait around in a line every day, I gave her the finger and left the office. I think I will just go without the f***ing license. Hey, I tried.
 
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Barnfresh

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Damn Tyler did you type that as you were walking out the door of the DMV? I feel your pain but you gots to learn how to deal with this gubermental bull sh*t or you’ll make yourself to go crazy, or blow a gasket!

Best thing you can do when dealing with the DMV is make an appointment. Another thing can do is go online and check wait times. I don’t know how many DMVs there are near you but in my area there are several within a 5-20 min drive. Just the other day I had to get one of my commercial drivers in, and while the nearest DMV showed a 2 1/2 hour wait time another just 10 miles further away only had a 5 min wait.

Also the Calif Vehicle Code does allow for you to test on your motorized bicycle/moped. The DMV clerks will automatically tell you otherwise however there are examples of other members here on these forums who have successfully done it.

Same with getting just a M2 “Moped Only” Drivers License, not adding an endosement to an existing license or having to get a Class C first, as the DMV clerks will try to lead you to believe.

These are the reasons why the M2 is still offered. Stop for a minute and think about it, when an M1 covers everything why wouldn’t they just do away with the M2?

Be aware however if you do decide to push the issue to test on your MOPED be prepared to be asked about turn signals (not required by law) and for proof of insurance. You may be able to argue your way out of the turn signals but proof of insurance, not likely.

California Vehicle Code § 12804.9(a)(1)(D)
The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles he or she desires a license to drive ........

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=12804.9.
 
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Tyler6357

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Yeah, man, I'm pretty frustrated with all the BS. I'm really ready to just give up. There are 2 DMVs in my area, the downtown one is known to be the hardest to deal with so I went to the other one. I tried to make an appointment but the earliest appointment was 6 weeks away. Seriously, late August just to take a screw ball little test? But the guy there certainly didn't know what he was talking about. Claiming my bike is a motorcycle while at the same time giving me my registration that names it a moped, claiming that anything over 49cc is a motorcycle, making me wait for hours? I really couldn't believe a word out of his mouth. Are you saying that I can take a motorcycle license skills test using a moped? "Yes", he says, well, I really can't believe that. I read the entire motorcycle manual, nothing what he tells me is true, and he works at this moronic place! It certainly wasn't worth the wait, and for what? A license most cops here don't even realize you have to have. The damn cops don't even know the law.
I already have a class C, it expires on the 5th of July, I wanted to renew it and get the moped enforcement at the same time, well that ain't happening now. I did at least get the class C renewal done and got my picture taken and read the eye chart and thumb print, they issued me a temp license and claimed they would send the new license in the mail. If I can get an M1 license despite the fact that I don't even own a motorcycle I guess I will do it, maybe, but seriously, I would settle for the M2. I have no insurance and if they ask for that I will not be able to comply. I do have a brake light but I have no turn signals and if that is required I will not pass any of their lame tests. So I guess I can't get any license. I don't know, everyone seems to tell me something different. I'm ready to **** it and just keep riding without the license.
 
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Barnfresh

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Your other option is to take one of the CHP approved motorcycle training courses. Cost you a few hundred bucks and a weekend of your time but once you pass the course the DMV skills test is waved. You still have to stand in line at the DMV to turn in your paperwork however there is an assembly bill in the works to make it all electronic filing.
 
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Tyler6357

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Your other option is to take one of the CHP approved motorcycle training courses. Cost you a few hundred bucks and a weekend of your time but once you pass the course the DMV skills test is waved. You still have to stand in line at the DMV to turn in your paperwork however there is an assembly bill in the works to make it all electronic filing.
Ha! that isn't going to happen....Nope, I refuse out of spite now! haha. I'm not that worried about it, I've gone 8yrs with no troubles and I'm damn careful. If I can't get a simple moped license for this simple vehicle, I just won't get one. I own a 34 foot 6 wheel motorhome and a 6 cylinder car and have not had so much trouble getting a license as I have for this little bike, screw it!
 

Tyler6357

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Mar 15, 2012
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Here's a tip. My buddy has an old knee brace and crutches he uses when he goes to the DMV. Handicapped people don't have to wait in line.
Ha! Good idea, it's funny that it is easier to get a drivers license if you are handicapped, people who are often times less able to drive safely, than it is for an able-bodied human being? Honestly, I didn't mind waiting in line, I did mind waiting in line for 2 days. I mean, I spent over 2 hours waiting in line only to be told they won't give me the test because it's 4:30 and I didn't get up to the window fast enough, and then go back the next day and told to get out of line and go to another line and wait through that one to be told to get back in the the 70 person line that I just lost my place in after waiting. All this to get to the window to get a number so I can sit down and wait to be called. And hey, is it a crime at the DMV to open another window when 70 people are in line? I see employees literally standing around doing nothing while everyone lines up in front of one person. I mean, even Walgreen's open's another check stand when it gets busy and their employees get paid just above dirt wages, not high 5 figures with union benefits and an over funded pension like the moronic government employees at the DMV get. But in spite of the long wait, it would be nice if when you got up to the window that the guy actually knew what he was talking about, not send you in the wrong direction by giving you untrue or inaccurate information. It makes me wonder if the guy has even read the motorcycle handbook. This stuff isn't new, these little bikes have been out and popular for years, I expect him to know the difference between a moped and a motorcycle and the requirements to drive both. How is it that I know more than him about all this crap and I don't even own a motorcycle? I guess I should just breath a sigh of relief that these morons are not in charge of health care...........yet.

Ooops, I'm sorry, I guess I'm not quite ready to go back there again yet, haha
 
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Tyler6357

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Update: Hello friends, just wanted to update this thread. It looks like the DMV didn't send my regular Class C car license in the mail because they are waiting for me to take the test for the M2 license. The temp license that they issued me has now expired so I went to the DMV today to finally take the motorcycle knowledge test. I passed the test and when I asked the guy what I needed to to do to get an M2 license for my motorized bicycle he took off and had a meeting with some other guys and then came back to tell me that I can't take the driving test on a motorized bicycle and that I don't even need an M2 license to drive my motorized bicycle. He said that if I get a motorcycle I can take the driving test and then get an M1 license but I can't get an M1 or an M2 license without taking the driving test and I can't take it on my motorized bicycle. He gave me a permit to drive a motorcycle and told me that they won't send my class 3 DL until I take the motorcycle driving test or I tell them that I'm no longer interested in the M1 or M2 license in which case they would send me my car license in the mail. This is really something isn't it? I really don't know what to do now. If I can find someone to loan me a motorcycle for the test I guess I can get an M1 license but beyond that, I will have to just give up on my quest for an M2 license and get my car license. They issued me a temp car license that will expire next month and a permit to drive a motorcycle, I assume, to become proficient riding it before taking the driving test. I still don't know how to get an M2 license.
 

MotorBicycleRacing

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Update: Hello friends,.

I passed the test and when I asked the guy what I needed to to do to get an M2 license for my motorized bicycle he took off and had a meeting with some other guys and then came back to tell me that I can't take the driving test on a motorized bicycle and that I don't even need an M2 license to drive my motorized bicycle.
Look on Craigslist to find rental Ruckus's and scooters to take your M1 driving test on.
BS.
Why are you listening to these DMV morons?
Yeah, all the Gov and CHP websites are full of it and some drone at the DMV is who
you should believe.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-ser...0gjEim59ZvAvs-vut8rmPMlk7WX8xh0SE5KdUxqrwl_hY

Moped or motorized bicycle


Section 406(a) CVC refers to a moped or motorized bicycle as any two or three wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, has an automatic transmission, and a motor which produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

  • A driver license with an M-1 or M-2 endorsement is required.

  • A DOT compliant helmet is required.
Also STOP mentioning M2 and just get an M1 which is the same driving test and written test!

Jeeez, if I didn't know you as a Socal racer I would not bother answering your posts. LOLZ
 
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MotorBicycleRacing

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Motorcycle Licensing
What more proof do you or the DMV numbskulls need?

Applying for a motorcycle license

Applying for your motorcycle license is similar to applying for a driver license. There are two classes of motorcycle licenses,
Class M1 and Class M2.

With a Class M1, you can operate any 2-wheel motorcycle and any motorized vehicle in Class M2.

With a Class M2, you can only operate any motorized bicycle or moped or any bicycle with an attached motor.

Effective January 1, 2006, you may operate a motorized scooter with a Class M1 or M2 driver license. Prior to January 1, 2006, you must have a Class C or higher driver license to operate a motorized scooter.

A motorized scooter is defined as: A two-wheeled "device" powered by a motor with a floorboard that is designed to stand on when riding. The scooter may also have a driver's seat.


https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/d...VcO9wTwawAVkiGJXcR6jbAQlHVkGGDChMMHNs_BGiUaSc
 

Greg58

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Tyler I borrowed a Honda 70cc from the local parts store I used to work for when I got my motorcycle endorsement here, I remember the officer laughing when he walked out