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Connecticut Allows Scooters for Motorcycle Tests

by Steve
Friday, April 18, 2008

riding a scooterAn article published in the Waterbury American Republican, a newspaper based in Connecticut, points out that the state's Department of Motor Vehicles actually allows people to use a scooter when performing the motorcycle endorsement test.

The DMV already allows scooters to be used for its road test, a fact that doesn't seem to be widely known. If it were, I suspect more impatient "newbies" would try to beat the system by showing up to take the road test on easier-to-ride scooters.
Here's a link to their article...
http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/04/18/lifestyle/334366.txt

In response, the Department of Transporation, which administers a Basic Rider Course, an alternative to the DMV's endorsement test, will be offering a scooter riding course. Somehow, the DOT is trying to send a message to the DMV.

As it stands now, Connecticut does not have a special endorsement for scooter riders. It sounds like all they need is the standard drivers license. So, if you want a motorcycle endorsement, just bring in a little Honda Metropolitan, whizz through the cones, and get yourself a Class M endorsement.

On the flip side, scooters these days are nothing to laugh at. The Gilera GP800 has an 850cc engine in it, the same engine used by the Aprilia Mana, a motorcycle, and capable of hitting 120mph. I'm not sure why scooters should be treated differently than motorcycles.

The manifestation of all this, are people killing themselves on two-wheeled vehicles. Often times it's because they're drunk or high, trying to do something foolish, or getting hit by somebody else. Aside from those three things, most riders do just fine.

Me thinks that using a scooter to obtain a motorcycle endorsement is probably ok; it just sounds shocking. But I think scooter riding should require a motorcycle endorsement.

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3 Comments:

  • The endorsement requirement should be based on the number of "primary" wheels, not the "type" of vehicle. That way if a motor scooter has outrigger wheels turning it into a tryke and thus having four wheels, the rider would still be required to have an endorsement. Three wheeled vehicles would also require the rider to have an endorsement. The wording of this law is a little tricky, but it still could be accomplished.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/19/2008 05:45:00 AM  

  • A scooter requires the same skill set as a motorcycle. I took my test on a Honda Helix 250 scooter, which has a turning radius almost identical to the test circle. I would have loved to cheat by riding a Harley Sportster; or better yet, a CB 250. Anything smaller and more maneuverable.

    By Anonymous Claude, at 4/27/2008 05:45:00 AM  

  • What is the cc requirement to take the motorcycle road test with your scooter? Would the DMV allow the test using a 49cc scooter? How about a 49cc scooter with an enhanced engine capable of speeds up to 45-50mph? Does it have to be registered/insured?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/07/2008 09:17:00 AM  

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