A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE (M1 Endorsement) IS NOT REQUIRED TO RIDE A TRIKE
There has been a lot of confusion as to whether an M1 Endorsement is required to operate a trike. We did some research and this is what we found.
The confusion begins with how the California Vehicle Code (CVC) defines a motorcycle. CVC Section 400 (a) reads, "a motorcycle is any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than THREE wheels in contact with the ground...". Because the Vehicle Code says a motorcycle has THREE or fewer wheels most conclude that a M1 endorsement must be required.
If you dig further, CVC Section 12804.9 defines what vehicles can, and cannot be operated with a Class C license. This section specifically states that the operation of a "TWO-WHEEL motorcycle or a TWO-WHEEL motor-driven cycle" is prohibited under a Class C license thus requiring an M1 Endorsemement to operate these vehicles. Because CVC Section 12804.9 DOES NOT prohibit the operation of a "THREE-WHEEL" motorcycle, a trike can be operated with a Class C license.
The last piece of confirmation comes in the section describing the M1 Endorsement in which it states that an M1 endorsement is required to operate "a TWO-WHEEL motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle."
We had the California Highway Patrol research this to verify our understanding and their conclusion is that an M1 endorsement is NOT REQUIRED to operate a THREE-WHEEL motorcycle.
Despite what the law states, it is our recommendation that anyone operating a trike should obtain an M1 endorsement, or, at the very least go through the training necessary to learn how to operate the controls of a motorcycle and become proficient with their use.
