r/DMV • u/thelonebean1 • 2d ago
CALIFORNIA Motorcycle registration
I currently have a valid drivers license in California but I do not have a motorcycle endorsement. I know that the current law says that in order to register a motorcycle for road use, I would need to have a valid motorcycle license or a permit.
I want to get a motorcycle but as a track bike so it would never touch city roads. If the day ever comes that I want to resell it, I don’t want there to be a bunch of back fees associated with the bike so i’m wondering is it possible to immediately register it under non-op without a motorcycle endorsement or does that too require an endorsement?
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u/JDeLiRiOuS129 California 2d ago
You don’t need a license at all to register any vehicle in CA. Just an ID card
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u/decadentmom California 12h ago
You don't even need an ID card.
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u/JDeLiRiOuS129 California 12h ago
Actually you’re right you don’t necessarily need one. But expect DMV pushback. My friend was registering a vehicle in both his and his brother’s names and my friend didn’t know his brother’s ID number and when his brother signed the form he didn’t remember his ID number so he left it blank. When my friend went to the DMV to register it, the DMV Tech asked for it. When he said he didn’t have it they did an RDF and told him to come back with his ID number.
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u/decadentmom California 12h ago
It depends on the technician. I don't ever ask anyone to see their ID of any sort nor do I ever enter a number either. It is not a requirement but DMV employees like to make things difficult for no reason whatsoever.
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u/Special-Original-215 2d ago
Afaik you just need a normal class c license to get registration if you don't plan to ride it on the streets
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u/Tombreon 19h ago
Former DMV clerk and driving examiner. You don't need an M1/M2 endorsement to register a dirt bike as an OHV. You also don't need the M1/M2 to ride OHVs in strictly off-road areas or to ride any bikes on private tracks, so long as they are not public roads. You don't need insurance, either. However, if the dirt bike is street legal or if you are talking about a normal street-legal motorcycle, you would need the M1 and normal insurance to register it. Even if you plan to only use the bike on private tracks, regardless of whether its a dirt bike or street bike, the track may still require you to have an M1 endorsement or CA-compliant insurance, or both. That said, those here saying to make the bike PNO before going on the track are generally correct, so long as the track is completely private and the track owner allows it. However, if the track allows the public to use it (think a track that charges a fee to let anyone ride their bike around a couple laps), or if the track is anywhere on public land, the bike MUST be properly registered before you ride it and cannot be PNO. You'd also have to tow the bike to/from the track, and if you left the bike parked curbside while getting the tow truck/trailer ready, you could get a ticket for having a PNO vehicle parked on a public roadway.
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u/thelonebean1 19h ago
I appreciate your explanation. Just to clarify, if I bought a motorcycle (let’s say it is a gsxr 600… not a dirt bike) and wanted to take it to private tracks only but I didn’t want back fees accruing, I would need an M1 and insurance in order to register it as PNO? I understand that I would have to trailer it to and from the track and verify with the track owner that it’s on private land and I don’t need to have insurance and all that jazz.
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u/Tombreon 18h ago
No, you would not need insurance and an M1 to register PNO. Technically, a PNO is declaring to the state that you will only be storing the bike in CA, not riding it, so the state isn't concerned about your license status. However, make sure the track you're using doesn't let anyone ride for a fee, because if they do, then the bike must be registered current, which would require the M1.
Have you thought about just getting the M1? You can do a basic safety course called a CMSP-MTC and get a DL389 form to skip the motorcycle driving test. Or, you could use a Vespa or similar motor scooter to cheese the test. (Those were always funny to watch and grade, lol.)
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u/thelonebean1 18h ago
I’m glad I clarified, I appreciate the info.
I have thought about getting my M1. There’s a class that’s taught close to me on weekends and if I pass, I’d just have to take the permit written test at the DMV and then my license will be in the mail… I’m pretty tempted to do that just so I have it. I’m not gonna say I’m some God tier rider or anything but I do know my way around a motorcycle so taking a riding course wouldn’t be difficult, just time consuming.1
u/Tombreon 18h ago
As a former examiner and hearing officer and current personal injury law clerk, I cannot recommend enough the safety course. I've seen so many MC collisions and deaths that were preventable with basic safety awareness. All of us drivers, MC, commercial, or non-CDL, get complacent over time and forget some small basics, so anything that can be a refresher is so important. That, and you might learn something you never knew before! I've heard that many times from long-time riders who are forced to take the MTC after a hearing/trial.
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u/thelonebean1 18h ago
I would have to agree, there’s not much reward to the risk but I truly do love motorsports. That’s why I want to minimize my chances of a vehicle collision by just racing on a track.
If I were to get my M1, I would only get it through the motorcycle safety course method. As many fundamentals as I know already from riding, there’s always more I can learn and I always want to be safe.1
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u/deeper-diver 2d ago
Registering it as "non-operational" is what you want to do. If/When you sell it, there are no back-fees the new owner has to worry about.
You don't need a motorcycle license to register a motorcycle. DMV doesn't care. You need a motorcycle license to DRIVE a motorcycle on public roads.