California Law
Hello Prople.
Every time we get new Cali's here we get the same long discussions, and all the denial of what is threlaw. I want to preface all that I will copy and paste here with the statement that California does NOT clean up the vehicle code, leaving all the old carp to sort thru BUT, when given the chance, WILL use the most current statutes.
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Here is a previous post of mine.
Hello, I have done all these things. I mailed and recieved and mounted 2 moped plates, one for Wifey's Whizzer and one for mine. If you-all like I will post pics. The State of Kalifornika form is named REG230 and is a downloadable pdf form. I reccomend to all my Whizzer (street legal DOT, EPA, and CARB legal bikes), and owner/buyers of any other of the bicycle engines that I've been selling for about 7 years now, to do this form. I give them the form.
1) Put bicycle serial number in the vin slot (Whiz has VIN)
2) Put engine serial number in the engine slot (if not numbered like the Whizzer is, then stamp one, illegal technically, but who is to know?)
3) put bicycle and engine name in the Make slot ie Roadmaster/Skyhawk
4) answer all four questions correctly
5) sign and date
6) in envelope with check to DMV for 17.00 *(now 18)*
7) put the cotton-pickin thing in the mail, do NOT confuse the local DMV by going there with your bike, or even asking them any questions!!!
Getting your license.
This time show up at DMV, and ask to take motorcycle exam I think mine was 25.00 (you DID study, didn't you???) The motorcycle handbook is online and easily found.
IF a certain number of months have passed since your last C (auto) exam has passed you will also have to take the front page of the C.
Miss less than 5 questions (each test), and they will issue a computer print-out to carry along with your license. You have up to one year to do the agility course and get full license endorsement.
Restrictions
No night riding, no freeway riding, no carring passenger.
Agility test
This I have not yet done, but I questiond the DMV lady who administers it, and she says if you show up with a motorcycle with transmission, they saftey check the bike ALL lights and horn MUST work, and they have you go thru the gears a couple time, ride the course, ahd you get M1 license. If you show up on anything else with no transmission, all saftey checks apply and you drive the course, and if sucessful you get m2. I would NOT reccomend showing up with Motor-Bicycle unless it is Whizzer, or fully functioning MB with Brake lights for front and rear brakes, head and tailiites, and a horn.
If you-all have any questions I'm sure I can answer them, or if not I can get you the answer in terms of CA, not elsewhere.
*** for those of you who do not know, they have a little course like a bicycle lane, that you MUST stay in the lines, some are wider than others, check this out on your own first***
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Ol Pete Wrote this:
New member MotorbikeMike was kind enough to answer my PM about CA registration of powered bikes. He is the owner operator of
http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/ in Sac, CA and was sure to know.
DO NOT go to the DMV, do it all by mail...
Scroll down the page to moped
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/plates/specialplates.htm
The $17 one time fee
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/fees/mopeds.htm
Thanks Mike! *tips hat*
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Jerryt wrote this:
John you're not the only one who is confused so I've copied items out of the CVC trying to help all of us to understand. Hope I got it all!!!
1. THIS IS WHAT WE"RE TALKING ABOUT
California Vehicle Code Division 3 - Registration of Vehicles and Certificates of Title
2. THIS SAYS A MOTORIZED BIKE IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION
Chapter 1. Original and Renewal Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title
Article 1. Vehicles Subject to Registration
Motorized Bicycles 4020.
A motorized bicycle operated upon a highway is exempt from registration. Added Ch. 987, Stats. 1975. Effective January 1, 1976.
3. THIS SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH YOU'RE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE PLATE
Chapter 1. Original and Renewal Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title
Article 8.1. Motorized Bicycles
License Plate Required 5037.
(a) No motorized bicycle first sold on or after July 1, 1981, shall be moved or operated upon a highway unless the owner first makes application for a license plate and, when received, attaches it to the motorized bicycle as provided in this article.
(b) Motorized bicycles first sold prior to July 1, 1981, shall not be moved or operated upon a highway after January 1, 1982, unless the owner makes application for a license plate and, when received, attaches it to the motorized bicycle as provided in this article.
(c) Any motorized bicycle currently licensed pursuant to Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000) on July 1, 1981, may be operated upon a highway until July 1, 1982.
Added Ch. 1070, Stats. 1980. Effective January 1, 1981
4. THIS SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH YOU'RE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, THE STATE STILL WANTS YOUR MONEY
Chapter 1. Original and Renewal Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title
Article 8.1. Motorized Bicycles
Service Fee 5036.
A service fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be paid for the issuance or transfer of a special license plate for motorized bicycles, as defined in Section 406. Publicly-owned motorized bicycles are exempt from the fee.
Amended Sec. 7, Ch. 719, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.
EDIT: THIS IS A ONE TIME FEE
5. THIS SAYS THEY WANT MORE MONEY SIMPLY BECAUSE ANOTHER YEAR HAS GONE BY AND IF THEY WRITE IT UP LIKE THIS THEY WON"T FORGET NEXT YEAR
Publisher's Note - Fees described in this section are subject to change pursuant to Section 1678 Fee Adjustment: Consumer Price Index
(a) Between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2004, inclusive, the fee amounts set forth in Section 488.385 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 10902 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and Sections 4604, 5014, 5036, 6700.25, 9102.5, 9250.8, 9250.13, 9252, 9254, 9258, 9261, 9265, 9702, 11515, 11515.2, 12814.5, 14900, 14900.1, 14901, 14902, 38121, 38225.4, 38225.5, 38232, 38255, 38260, and 38265 shall be the base fee amounts charged by the department.
(b) On January 1, 2005, and every January 1 thereafter, the department shall adjust the fees imposed under the sections listed in subdivision (a) by increasing each fee in an amount equal the increase in the California Consumer Price Index for the prior year, as calculated by the Department of Finance, with amounts equal to or greater than fifty cents ($0.50) rounded to the next highest whole dollar.
Added Sec. 3, Ch. 719, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.
EDIT: 2007 amount = $17
6. THIS IS THE LITTLE PLATE THEY GIVE YOU SO THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND GET MORE MONEY IF YOU DON"T HAVE ONE
Moped
The little plate pic won't print
This permanent plate is mandatory on motorized bicycles. For an application click here.
Statutory Authority: VC Sec.406, 5030
7. AND THIS TELLS YOU THAT YOU BETTER HAVE PEDALS, CANNOT HAVE MORE THAN 2 HORSES (that's Gross my boy) OR 1000 WATTS AND BE INCAPABLE OF MORE THAN 30 MPH (with no regard given to weight) (20 MPH if electric) AND NO STATE REQUIRED INSURANCE
California Vehicle Code Division 1- Words and Phrases Defined
Motorized Bicycle
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than 2 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.
(b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on ground level.
(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.
(4) Every manufacturer of motorized bicycles, as defined in this subdivision, shall provide a disclosure to buyers that advises buyers that their existing insurance policies may not provide coverage for these bicycles and that they should contact their insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is provided.
(c) The disclosure required under paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information other than the disclosure.
(2) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital letters:
"YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS BICYCLE. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS PROVIDED YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT."
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 804, Stats. 1995. Effective January 1, 1996. Supersedes Sec. 2, Ch. 342.
EDIT: To add drivers license requirements
How to apply for a motorcycle or moped driver license if you are over 18
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. (Also good for motorized scooter - stand on or seated)
- With a Class M2, you can only operate any motorized bicycle or moped or any bicycle with an attached motor. (Also good for motorized scooter - stand on or seated)
To apply for a motorcycle PERMIT for Class M1 or M2, you will need to:
- Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted)
- Give a thumb print
- Have your picture taken
- Pay the application fee
- Pass a vision exam
- Pass a traffic laws and signs test. You have three chances to pass the test.
.
After completing the requirements, you will be issued an instruction permit to allow you to practice driving a motorcycle. You may not drive at night, on the freeway, or have any passengers with you.
To apply for your motorcycle LICENSE for Class M1 or M2, you must do the following:
- If you are under 21, you must complete a motorcycle rider training course given by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and provide a certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) to DMV to be issued your license. You will not be required to take the motorcycle driving test at DMV if you currently have a California Drivers License.
- If you are over 21, you may either choose to complete the course by CHP and provide the certificate OR take the driving test. You have three chances to pass the test.
If you've read this far I hope it clears it up
Edited to add drivers license requirements
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****Honestly, fellow riders, newbies, and all who can read or have this read to them, this "dead horse" subject has been beaten, and pounded mercilessly.
The reason I am so late getting to this, besides being busy, is that I am a poor typist, and am very tired of this subject, as I have been doing motorbicycles, and helping others with thiers for over 8 years now.
I have chosen only a couple posts that contian truth, there are many here about CA law that contain no truth, or refer to out dated laws, or are strictly opinion (which will NOT hold up on your day in court).
IF after reading all this, and any posts whic agree with the three I have posted, there are still questions, I will be happy to try and get the answers for you.
At one time I had asked for CA FACTS to be a stickey, as today alone I found my old post, and 3 more, apparently no-one had searched the CA law post?
Mike in Sacramento
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-- John
