Riders stand on a floorboard and grip handlebars while riding these two-wheeled, motorized machines that are only legal on bike paths and trails. Brake horsepower reflects a type of measurement concerning the maximum energy or power an engine can produce.

Their defining characteristic is that they must have an automatic transmission that produces under four gross brake horsepower. Mopeds and motorized bicycles have two or three wheels and an electric motor. The difference between a motorized bicycle and a motorcycle is that motorized bicycles have engines smaller than 150cc. The state defines any two- or three-wheel motor vehicle with more than a 150cc engine as a motorcycle.

Two-wheel and three-wheel motorcycles.Those who hold an M1 license can legally operate the following vehicles on California roads: California M1 Motorcycle LicenseĪ California M1 motorcycle license is the standard motorcycle endorsement that most riders get. The license you need depends on the exact type of motorcycle you intend to ride. Technically, two classes are motorcycle licenses, and the third class refers to a standard California Class C driver’s license. Classes of California Motorcycle LicensesĬalifornia offers three different classes of motorcycle licenses. Below we offer a broad overview of each type of license, requirements to obtain each license, steps to take to get a California motorcycle license, and California insurance requirements for those who own or ride a motorcycle. Motorcycle riders can obtain three types of licenses in California. Your driver’s license will suffice if you want to ride a moped or motorized scooter in California, but if you want to cruise around on anything that goes faster than 30 miles per hour, you need a motorcycle license to be legal. If you have bought or are thinking about buying a motorcycle, you cannot legally jump on for a ride, even if you have a driver’s license. Southern California’s pleasant climate and picturesque landscapes make riding a motorcycle a popular pastime, and many choose to commute to and from work on a motorcycle too.

California motorcycle skills test