California - Mopeds - drivers license requirements - M2
I now know why I do not see many mopeds on the roads in California, even with the financial meltdown. The laws changed around 2005 to be prohibitive in getting to drive them legally.
***
As my finances feel squeezed, and my commute between home and work is only six miles, I decided to investigate the serious possibility of purchasing and using a moped as a way to commute.
My research on mopeds ranged on all name brands, but I settled on a Yamaha 50cc C3. It costs about the same, around $2000, as the other 50cc mopeds, but is fuel injected, while the others are carburetered. Oh, and it gets an estimated 115mpg.
Then I investigated what I would have to do, in terms of my drivers license. That is where it became such a pain, that for the short term, will not pursue it.
It seems around 2005, the state of California changed its laws in regards to motorized transportation on two wheels. Now there are drivers license endorsements called M1 and M2.
Basically, here it is, distilled:
For any moped under 150cc, a driver must have an M2 drivers license endorsement. This requires going to the DMV, taking both a written test, as well as a driving test on your moped. It must be registered.
For any motorcycle, 150cc or larger, then you have to have a M1 drivers license endorsement. This also requires a driving test and written test.
With a moped, you have to drive as expected: must stay on the right side of the road, not for freeway diving, etc.
So, now that for, basically _any_ motorcycle or moped, a person must do 'motorcycle driving training, driven test and written test' it makes for a _great_ way to discourage people from getting a moped, as the barrier to entry has been raised.
If my memory is correct, back in the day, if you had a 50cc or smaller displacement engine, you could drive a moped on the road, legally, with a regular drivers license.
In California - How to apply for a motorcycle or moped driver license if you are over 18
So, in the longer run, I am interested in a moped as the most (fuel efficient +financially efficient) way to run local errands, like going to work.
Oh, and the very scary downside? People on a motorcycle or moped are 38x more likely to _die_ from an accident than if they were in an automobile.
***
As my finances feel squeezed, and my commute between home and work is only six miles, I decided to investigate the serious possibility of purchasing and using a moped as a way to commute.
My research on mopeds ranged on all name brands, but I settled on a Yamaha 50cc C3. It costs about the same, around $2000, as the other 50cc mopeds, but is fuel injected, while the others are carburetered. Oh, and it gets an estimated 115mpg.
Then I investigated what I would have to do, in terms of my drivers license. That is where it became such a pain, that for the short term, will not pursue it.
It seems around 2005, the state of California changed its laws in regards to motorized transportation on two wheels. Now there are drivers license endorsements called M1 and M2.
Basically, here it is, distilled:
For any moped under 150cc, a driver must have an M2 drivers license endorsement. This requires going to the DMV, taking both a written test, as well as a driving test on your moped. It must be registered.
For any motorcycle, 150cc or larger, then you have to have a M1 drivers license endorsement. This also requires a driving test and written test.
With a moped, you have to drive as expected: must stay on the right side of the road, not for freeway diving, etc.
So, now that for, basically _any_ motorcycle or moped, a person must do 'motorcycle driving training, driven test and written test' it makes for a _great_ way to discourage people from getting a moped, as the barrier to entry has been raised.
If my memory is correct, back in the day, if you had a 50cc or smaller displacement engine, you could drive a moped on the road, legally, with a regular drivers license.
In California - How to apply for a motorcycle or moped driver license if you are over 18
So, in the longer run, I am interested in a moped as the most (fuel efficient +financially efficient) way to run local errands, like going to work.
Oh, and the very scary downside? People on a motorcycle or moped are 38x more likely to _die_ from an accident than if they were in an automobile.