California Motorcycle Handbook - Antevia

LICENSEREQUIREMENTSCalifornia issues the followinglicense classes for two-wheelvehicle operation:• Class M1—You may operateany two-wheel motorcycle,motor-driven cycle, ormotorized scooter and allvehicles listed under Class M2.• Class M2—You may operateany motorized bicycle, anybicycle with an attached motor,or a motorized scooter.• Class C —You may operate amotorcycle with a sidecarattached or a three-wheelmotorcycle.You may obtain a Class M1 or M2license at any DMV office whichprovides driver license services.Motorcycle law tests and skilltests are required.NOTE: The permit and licenserequirements in this supplementpertain to two-wheel vehicles.EARNING YOUR LICENSESafe riding requires knowledgeand skill. Testing two-wheelvehicle operators is the bestmeasurement of the skillsnecessary to operate safelyin traffic because peopleoften overestimate their ownabilities. DMV’s licensingexams are designed to be scoredobjectively.To obtain your license, you mustpass a knowledge test and an oncycleskill test. Knowledge testquestions are based oninformation, practices, and ideasfrom this manual. They requirethat you know and understandroad rules and safe ridingpractices. An on-cycle skill testwill either be conducted in anactual traffic environment or in acontrolled off-street area.APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS—ALLDRIVERSThese are the requirements if youalready have a basic class driverlicense. Refer to the CaliforniaDriver Handbook for basic classdriver license requirements.To obtain an instruction permitto operate an M1/M2 vehicle onpublic roads, you must:• Submit a completed DMVapplication form (DL 44).• Pay the required application fee.• Pass an eye exam.• Have your picture taken.• Give a thumb print.• Pass a test(s) on traffic laws andsigns for the class of licenseyou now have unless you havetaken the test(s) within the priortwelve months.• Pass an additional law test onmotorcycle driving rules.NOTE: The Class M1/M2 permitdoes not allow you to carrypassengers and you must rideduring daylight hours only andnot on a freeway.4