# If you get a DWI and lose your car license can you go and get a motorcycle license? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 5, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248 "2005-12-05T21:55:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/1 "2005-12-05T21:55:40Z")
Just curious. Would losing your (car) driving license for a DWI usually include prohibitions on subsequently getting a motorcycle license, or not? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/2 "2005-12-05T22:22:07Z")
I would guess that it would depend on the state. However, a “motorcycle license” is usually a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement on it. I believe you usually lose the whole license for things like DWI’s so therefore, there is nothing to be endorsed. You can do a heap of damage on a motorcycle anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/3 "2005-12-05T22:22:44Z")
I beleive that most states word thier DUI laws as dening the offendor access to any motorized vehicle. That is, you would not be allowed to even get a moped, or drive your lawn mower on the street. I’ve even heard that some states even include horses in thier DUI laws. Blame those damn drunken Amish for that one. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/4 "2005-12-05T23:02:23Z")
It may vary with different states, but my experience has been what **Shagnasty** mentioned. A motorcycle driver’s license is not a separate entity from a “regular” driver’s license – it’s an addendum to it. Want to drive a motorcycle? First step is having a driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/5 "2005-12-06T00:06:42Z")
In my home state, and probably some others, no license in needed for a moped and some small scooters. You’ll see some DUI offenders riding their pitiful mopeds, all bundled up for the winter. They still have to behave themselves, though; driving a moped drunk is still DUI. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/6 "2005-12-06T00:14:50Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > In my home state, and probably some others, no license in needed for a moped and some small scooters. You’ll see some DUI offenders riding their pitiful mopeds, all bundled up for the winter. They still have to behave themselves, though; driving a moped drunk is still DUI. When my daughter did a tour of UC Davis (In a very bike friendly town, Davis) she was told that students have been known to get BUIs for riding their bikes drunk. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/7 "2005-12-06T00:15:06Z")
I can’t link to anything factual proving this, so take it as you will. Generally, based on your state, any “license” is issued for operation of “a motor vehicle”. Basically, if it has a motor, you need to be licensed and operate it legally. The scooter work-around is that states set a base limit to what a motor vehicle is. Many scooters and mopeds have engine sizes that fall under the legal c.i.d. that make them legally a motor vehicle. I’ve never heard of a motorcyle license being a workaround to a common DL. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/8 "2005-12-06T00:16:45Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > In my home state, and probably some others, no license in needed for a moped and some small scooters. In many states, including my state of Virginia, you are not allowed to ride a moped if your license is suspended due to a DUI, even though no license is required for moped operation. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/9 "2005-12-06T00:17:40Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > When my daughter did a tour of UC Davis (In a very bike friendly town, Davis) she was told that students have been known to get BUIs for riding their bikes drunk. :eek: We have that here, as well. But it doesn’t, at least in ND, apply to your motor vehicle license. It’s more a way, IMO, to charge a higher public intoxication fee. In a way I can see why it’s used, what with the risk of a cyclist losing balance and carreening into the street. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/10 "2005-12-06T00:22:19Z")
> [@Si Amigo](#): > > I beleive that most states word thier DUI laws as dening the offendor access to any motorized vehicle. That is, you would not be allowed to even get a moped, or drive your lawn mower on the street. I believe this to be the case in NH. A few years ago a noteworthy police log included reference to a gentleman sans license for DUI getting an additional DUI for driving his lawn mower to the corner store for beer. :wally ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/11 "2005-12-06T10:37:36Z")
- - - Usually, no. In IL for one, there is one “license” that is technically for _all_ road vehicles–except that it’s stamped with different letters, to represent the different classes of vehicles which the bearer is permitted to operate. So if your license was suspended or revoked, it would eliminate legally operating all street-legal vehicles. > [@](#): > > …In many states, including my state of Virginia, you are not allowed to ride a moped if your license is suspended due to a DUI, even though no license is required for moped operation… - **Q.E.D.** - A semi-related matter was asked around here before (if pocketbikes could be legally operated on public streets, and why or why not) and after looking into it, I found that _most_ US states now require you to have -some- type of motor vehicle license in order to operate a moped. The reason is to have a way to legally prohibit children from being able to operate them–to have a US drivers’ license, you need to be at least 16 yrs of age. ~ ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/12 "2005-12-06T11:49:31Z")
Geez! I can’t believe some states make you have a drivers license before you can have a motorcycle license. What if you don’t WANT a freaking car? In Texas they are two seprate entities albeit on the same id card. Also, if you get a DWI here in Texas; you lose the privilage to operate a motor vehicle period. I’ve often wondered: What’s to stop me from going to a neighboring state and getting a license there? (ProvideD I could give them an address in that state) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/13 "2005-12-06T12:43:23Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > In my home state, and probably some others, no license in needed for a moped and some small scooters. You’ll see some DUI offenders riding their pitiful mopeds, all bundled up for the winter. They still have to behave themselves, though; driving a moped drunk is still DUI. Of course, driving a moped (or a motorcycle, for that matter) in traffic while drunk makes you a likely candidate for a Darwin Award. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/14 "2005-12-06T13:56:17Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Geez! I can’t believe some states make you have a drivers license before you can have a motorcycle license. > > What if you don’t WANT a freaking car? > > In Texas they are two seprate entities albeit on the same id card. To the best of my knowledge all but one state is like this. You need to take a test to get a motorcycle license. Though I know of no rule that says you must have the car endorsement though. However, I would say that at least in Maryland you’d be better off just getting both because you would still have to take all the same classes and the only thing you would skip is the driving test so it would be stupid not to get it. > [@](#): > > I’ve often wondered: What’s to stop me from going to a neighboring state and getting a license there? (ProvideD I could give them an address in that state) Because many states trade information, so you couldn’t just go and try because they probably know. Plus you usually sign something stating your license is not suspended in another state. ---
**Author:** ![Leviosaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Leviosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviosaurus)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/15 "2005-12-06T18:41:04Z")
FWIW, in ~51% of motorcycle fatalities, the motorcycle rider had alcohol in their system. I’ve read one report that says that more than half the time, the motorcyclist had a BA level in excess of .10 Cogitate on that for a second. What were these guys thinking? Alcohol and bikes don’t mix. Any state that allows a DUI offender to drive a bike is basically handing them a death sentence. ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/16 "2005-12-06T23:36:57Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > What if you don’t WANT a freaking car? Wow! I always thought California required a driver’s license first, but it doesn’t! The rules vary according to your age: [ol] [li]If you’re under 18, you have to pass a driver’s education course and the CHP’s motorcycle course first. CA has a lot of other rules for “teen” drivers as well; they all apply to motorcycle riders.[/li][li]If you’re between 18 and 21, you don’t need the driver’s ed course but you do need the CHP course.[/li][li]If you’re over 21, you just need to pass the DMV rider’s test.[/li][/ol] In every case, you have to pass the driver’s **and** motorcyclist’s written test. That makes sense; you _are_ going to be riding in regular motor vehicle traffic. The CHP course is affiliated with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s motorcycle training course. I know several people who have taken it; I’ve taken the MSF course myself. I think it is _the_ way to learn motorcycling. As a bonus, if you pass the CHP course you’re _exempted_ from the DMV’s motorcycle driving test. And that test is _not_ easy. Of course, it wouldn’t be California without a bit of weirdness: The state also has a moped/motorized bicycle license, but it has the _same requirements as_ as the full motorcycle license! I can only think that you take the driving test on whatever thing you choose to ride, and if you show up with a moped they won’t give you the full motorcycle license. Even more weird is that for the next 3 weeks, you’ll need a _regular driver’s license as well_ to ride a moped, even though you _don’t_ need one to ride a motorcycle! :smack: And let’s not get started about the traffic laws for farm tractors! ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/17 "2005-12-07T01:03:19Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > It may vary with different states, but my experience has been what **Shagnasty** mentioned. A motorcycle driver’s license is not a separate entity from a “regular” driver’s license – it’s an addendum to it. Want to drive a motorcycle? First step is having a driver’s license. Here, you don’t, but you still gotta have a clean driver’s record… ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/18 "2005-12-07T01:18:33Z")
> [@633squadron](#): > > Wow! I always thought California required a driver’s license first, but it doesn’t! I forgot to add that if your license was yanked in CA, you can still go into the DMV and ask for a motorcycle license. And you _should_. Those overworked people need a good laugh. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/19 "2005-12-07T01:40:14Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Geez! I can’t believe some states make you have a drivers license before you can have a motorcycle license. > > What if you don’t WANT a freaking car? I wasn’t aware that in TX you’re required to get a car once you receive your driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-get-a-dwi-and-lose-your-car-license-can-you-go-and-get-a-motorcycle-license/334248/20 "2005-12-07T05:17:52Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > In many states, including my state of Virginia, you are not allowed to ride a moped if your license is suspended due to a DUI, even though no license is required for moped operation. Here’s a hijack: if your license is suspended, you get a new one, right? Or rather, you’d get a State ID? I imagine you don’t go around for the next X months showing people the ticket like you might if you got caught speeding.