Legal: Motorcycle License And Helmet Laws

[Jeff Porter]

Not sure if this helps but here is the response I got when I emailed the governor about the need for a motorcycle license :

That's cool that you at least got a response. Have you thought about emailing Deborah Rogers and Milt Chaffee? Let them know that motorcycle driver skills are not needed in the Elio? Apologies if I'm jumping in the middle of a conversation ... :-)

 

[goofyone]

Not sure if this helps but here is the response I got when I emailed the governor about the need for a motorcycle license :

That's cool that you at least got a response. Have you thought about emailing Deborah Rogers and Milt Chaffee? Let them know that motorcycle driver skills are not needed in the Elio? Apologies if I'm jumping in the middle of a conversation ...

For any response like this I would definitely follow up and point out the fact that the AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicles Administration), the authority on best policy for all state DMV's and Licensing Bureaus, is recommending autocycle type vehicles such as the Elio be driven with a standard driver's license.

http://www.aamva.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=4629&libID=4606

 

[EastCoastCentralFla]

Personally, I would recommend to simply email contact your States DOT regarding Elio licensing and where it stands without protest as they may simply agree that it needs to be reviewed as the Department that is actually responsible to monitor current legislation, has more insight than politicians, and actually recommend legislative changes. If that isn't successful then write the Governor and Reps. It's not lack of insight until they refuse common sense changes in their current laws.


Joel emailed and said thanks for making the initial contact as it got them thinking about it. Joel said he would followup........but have no idea if he did so. I would like to know the reception he got from my Idaho DOT contact.

Well sometime in the afternoon I was on the DMV website and could not find anything other than car with 4 wheels and less than that they are talking motorcycle. So I sent them an email suggesting they broaden their thinking and get ready for a number of Floridians with Elio's in 2015. They responded already and they are ready for us http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/TL/TL-67.PDF

 

[zelio]

Well sometime in the afternoon I was on the DMV website and could not find anything other than car with 4 wheels and less than that they are talking motorcycle. So I sent them an email suggesting they broaden their thinking and get ready for a number of Floridians with Elio's in 2015. They responded already and they are ready for us http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/TL/TL-67.PDF

But. . . . According to EM and the federal government, the Elio will have motorcycle vin number. Do these other tri-vehicles have motorcycle vin numbers? If the person on this forum who has one of the pictured tri-vehicles can check his out, maybe he can let us know. I don't remember his name but I know he posted something within the last 24 hours. I don't know whether to apologize for not remembering everyone's name or apologize for not being able to remember everything I learn here in a 24 hours period. Getting, uh, more mature, is sometimes very trying. :-) Z

 

[Mark Ambrose]

My concern is someone in the government will begin to notice the "autocycle" skirting normal car standards and begin to impose all sorts of stuff that will kill the whole concept. That's why I want mine in the first production year.

 

[zelio]

My concern is someone in the government will begin to notice the "autocycle" skirting normal car standards and begin to impose all sorts of stuff that will kill the whole concept. That's why I want mine in the first production year.

One thing in our favor - the government is almost always very slow to change things. :-) Z

 

[Jim H]

I am finally convinced. I want to go all in but I have one concern. Will I need a motorcycle license in PA. or FLA. ? I am going to retire in the next year or so (living in PA.) and have a home I just bought in FLA. for my move south. I really don't need a motorcycle license and don't want to get one at this stage of my life. This car/cycle would be perfect for my retired life. Thx


Moderator Comment: Merged into existing license thread

Welcome from sunny warm New Mexico and to the forum. I see the friendly helpful have already responded to you. Looking forward to your comments and participation. Enjoy the journey.

 

[zelio]

But. . . . According to EM and the federal government, the Elio will have motorcycle vin number. Do these other tri-vehicles have motorcycle vin numbers? If the person on this forum who has one of the pictured tri-vehicles can check his out, maybe he can let us know. I don't remember his name but I know he posted something within the last 24 hours. I don't know whether to apologize for not remembering everyone's name or apologize for not being able to remember everything I learn here in a 24 hours period. Getting, uh, more mature, is sometimes very trying. Z

I found the member in the list. Club Joe, we need your help. Can you tell us whether the vin number on your vehicle(s) is motorcycle or auto? Thanks for any help you can give us. :-) Z

 

[hawg_ryder]

Well sometime in the afternoon I was on the DMV website and could not find anything other than car with 4 wheels and less than that they are talking motorcycle. So I sent them an email suggesting they broaden their thinking and get ready for a number of Floridians with Elio's in 2015. They responded already and they are ready for us http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/TL/TL-67.PDF

Let's hope that this requirement for title in Fla. doesn't cause any problems for EM...
Found in Section II General Information:

"NOTE: A tri-vehicle is not a motorcycle. FRVIS will not allow this vehicle type to be entered

as the body type for a motorcycle (MC).
D. A manufacturer, importer, distributor, or dealer of tri-vehicles must be licensed.
The Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Dealer Licensing Section will verify tri-vehicle
applications from manufacturers, importers, and distributors with NHTSA. As tri-vehicle
manufacturers, importers, distributors, and dealers are licensed, BFO will approve the
line makes, and these vehicles will be captured as tri-vehicles in FRVIS.
NOTE: Only NHTSA-approved tri-vehicles from authorized manufacturers, importers, and

distributors may be titled and registered."

Does the second note mean that NHTSA will require these vehicles (which are currently defined as motorcycles) to now meet all the requirements of regular 4 wheeled autos? If so I suspect this may not be such a good thing... Think safety bumpers, mandatory crash tests etc...
I also noticed they are going to tax it like a regular automobile...

"B. A tri-vehicle is registered and taxed in the same manner as an automobile. Calculate the
fees like a regular auto using the appropriate motor vehicle class code based on the net
weight and registered use of the tri-vehicle."

It would be interesting to see what the difference in taxes are when titled as a car vs. as a motorcycle...

 

[zelio]

Let's hope that this requirement for title in Fla. doesn't cause any problems for EM...
Found in Section II General Information:

"NOTE: A tri-vehicle is not a motorcycle. FRVIS will not allow this vehicle type to be entered

as the body type for a motorcycle (MC).
D. A manufacturer, importer, distributor, or dealer of tri-vehicles must be licensed.
The Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Dealer Licensing Section will verify tri-vehicle
applications from manufacturers, importers, and distributors with NHTSA. As tri-vehicle
manufacturers, importers, distributors, and dealers are licensed, BFO will approve the
line makes, and these vehicles will be captured as tri-vehicles in FRVIS.
NOTE: Only NHTSA-approved tri-vehicles from authorized manufacturers, importers, and

distributors may be titled and registered."

Does the second note mean that NHTSA will require these vehicles (which are currently defined as motorcycles) to now meet all the requirements of regular 4 wheeled autos? If so I suspect this may not be such a good thing... Think safety bumpers, mandatory crash tests etc...
I also noticed they are going to tax it like a regular automobile...

"B. A tri-vehicle is registered and taxed in the same manner as an automobile. Calculate the
fees like a regular auto using the appropriate motor vehicle class code based on the net
weight and registered use of the tri-vehicle."

It would be interesting to see what the difference in taxes are when titled as a car vs. as a motorcycle...

The one advantage is the Elio is still less expensive than any other new vehicle currently avaible. I'm hoping to get some input by a Florida resident who has several tri-vehicles and is a member of this group. His user name is Club Joe. He should know a lot about this issue. :-) Z