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Do you need a motorcycle endorsement?
If you operate any motorized vehicle on public roadways, Idaho law
requires you to have a valid driver’s license and acceptable
proof of liability insurance. If you operate a motorcycle on public
roadways, you will also need to add a motorcycle endorsement to your
Idaho driver’s license.
Review the definitions below to see if the vehicle you operate is a
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle that requires you to have a motorcycle
endorsement on your driver’s license.
-
“Motorcycle”
[49-114(11)] every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of
the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in
contact with the ground, that meets the federal motor vehicle safety
standards (FMVSS) as originally designed, and includes a converted
motorbike, but does not include a motor-driven cycle, a motorbike, a
tractor or a moped. Motor cycles require a motorcycle endorsement.
- “Motorbike”
[49-114(10) means a vehicle as defined in [67-7101(9)] –
means any self-propelled two (2) wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle, excluding tractor, designed for or capable of
traveling off developed roadways and highways and also referred to as
trail bikes, enduro bikes, trials bikes, motocross bikes or dual
purpose motorcycles which are not originally manufactured for use on
public roadways. Such vehicle shall be titled and may be
approved for motorcycle registration, upon certification by the owner
of the installation and use of conversion components that make the
motorbike compliant with FMVSS. If converted, operation on public roads
requires a motorcycle endorsement.
-
“Motor-Driven
Cycle” [49-114(13)] means a cycle with a motor that produces
five (5) brake horsepower or less as originally manufactured that meets
federal motor vehicle safety standards as originally designed, and does
not include mopeds. Such vehicles shall be titled and a
motorcycle endorsement is required for its operation.
-
“Motor Scooter” and
“Scooter” - generic terms, not defined in the Idaho
traffic law manual, referring to a wide variety of motorized cycles and
toys. A two or three-wheeled vehicle of any size,
manufactured for use on public roadways and sold by a licensed dealer
is probably a motorcycle. A vehicle with two or more wheels
not manufactured for use on public roadways and sold by retail variety
stores is probably a toy.
-
“Moped" 49-114(9)
means a limited-speed motor-driven cycle having:
(a) Both motorized and pedal propulsion that is not capable of
propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty (30) miles per
hour on level ground, whether two (2) or three (3) wheels are in
contact with the ground during operation. If an internal
combustion engine is used, the displacement shall not exceed fifty -
(50) cubic centimeters and the moped shall have a power drive system
that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting
by the operator after the drive system is engaged; or
(b) Two (2) wheels or three (3) wheels with no pedals, which
is powered solely by electrical energy, has an automatic transmission,
a motor which produces less than two (2) gross brake horsepower, is
capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than
thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, and as originally
manufactured, meets federal motor vehicle safety standards* (FMVSS) for
motor-driven cycles. (*Vehicle must have FMVSS labeling certifying
compliance with these NHSTA requirements.) A moped is not required to
be titled and no motorcycle endorsement is required of its operator.
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“Segway” is
considered an “Electric personal assistive mobility
device” [49-106(1)] - a self-balancing two (2) non-tandem
wheeled device designed to transport only one (1) person, with an
electric propulsion system limiting the maximum speed to fifteen (15)
miles per hour or less.
-
“Pedestrian”
[49-117(5)] means any person afoot and any person operating a
wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or electric personal assistive
mobility device.
-
“Motorized Toys”
are not considered mopeds, and are not manufactured for use on
streets. Adding lights and a seat to any of these vehicles
still does not make them street legal. ITD policy prohibits
the titling and registration of vehicles not manufactured for use on
highways, so these cannot legally be operated on roadways
| VEHICLE |
TITLE |
REGIS-
TRATION |
OFF-
HIGHWAY |
CLASS D
DRIVER LICENSE |
MC ENDORSE-
MENT |
Motorcycle, regardless of engine size or description
------------►
Originally manufactured to meet FMVSS requirement for operation as a
street legal vehicle. FMVSS Labeling required |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Motorbike, 50 cc’s or larger
--------------------------------------------►
Not originally manufactured as a street legal vehicle
* |
Y |
N |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
Motorbike, less than 50 cc’s Effective July 1, 2008
-----------------►
Not originally manufactured as a street legal vehicle
* |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N/A |
Motor-Driven Cycle Effective July 1, 2008
----------------------------►
Vehicle is classified as a motorcycle FMVSS Labeling required |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Moped, > 30 MPH, > 50 CCs
-------------------------------------------►
Vehicle is classified as a
motorcycle |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Moped, < 30 MPH, < 50 CCs
------------------------------------------►
Vehicle is not classified as a motorcycle FMVSS Labeling may be
required - see definition. |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Segway
----------------------------------------------------------------------► |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| Motorized Toys not manufactured for street use
------------------► |
CANNOT be legally
operated on any public roadway or sidewalk. |
* Driver’s license and Motorcycle endorsement are required if
the motorbike is converted and operated on public roads.
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