License requirements in California are about as easy as it gets; any license that allows you to operate a motor vehicle, with the exception of a moped license, will allow you to operate the Can-Am Spyder. Though still technically a motorcycle, requiring the driver and passenger to wear helmets, California law allows the operation of three wheeled motorcycles without having a motorcycle specific license.
This is good news, as California is not only the most populous state, but has the most registered vehicles total, most registered vehicles per person, and the weather to enjoy Spyder riding all year round.
The only downside may be if a Spyder owner wanted to use their Spyder to acquire a license. In California the driving test for an automobile consists, in part, of taking the examiner out in your own vehicle. This would not be practical with the Spyder, as most, if not all, examiners would not know how to verify basic tests like using a turn indicator.
Neither is it likely to be able to be used to acquire a motorcycle license, as that test is on an extremely narrow and tight course, which the Spyder will not fit on, and since a motorcycle license in not necessary to operate the Spyder, California is not likely to modify their test unnecessarily.
With vehicle operation in California as regulated as it is, the information in this article could soon be outdated as the authorities become accustomed to the unique aspects of the Spyder. Let’s hope they don’t act for the worse.
Regarding the state of MD. Currently owners of a Spyder living in MD. will NOT be able to register them. The MD. dealership located in Talbot co, MD. was one of the initial 12 states to receive the Spyder but has since lost their allotment of Spyders for the time being due to this present situation.
The Maryland Mortor Vehicle Admin. Or MVA classifies a motorcycle as having eirther (2) or (3) wheels. The catch is the (3) wheel description is (2) in the rear and (1) in the front not the other way around. Until this description is amended to include (2) wheels up front and (1) in the rear MD owners will not be able register or receive tags for their Spyder. It is rumored that this technicality will be addressed and amended some time after the first of the year, 2008.
Thanks for the heads up. I saw your response on the forum and I will be adding a more indepth post soon which specifically addresses the Maryland registration issue.