license and endorsements. How much big brother is enough?

[baylensman]

We have a lot of posts that veer into the subject of license and endorsements. What does your state or province require for Motorcycle, trucks over 10000 gvw, motorhomes etc (not talking commercial use which is entirely different). How about boating and off road vehicles.

 

In florida you need an endorsement for motorcycles. The've kicked the can back and forth on boating and age limits, but without issuing boating licenses its tough to enforce age limits.

 

When I lived in PA there was talk about snowmobiles being 16 and up (not other off road just snowies) don't know if that ever happened or not.

 

My thoughts separate test for motorcycles, RV's either 5th wheel class C or class A and recreational boating should be limited to 16 years old or older and a license should be issued (maybe add and endorsement to the driver license like the motorcycle).

 

Twist and go scooters/golf carts and mopeds operated on the street require a license! and keep them to secondary or non-divided secondary roads where the speed limit is posted at 35mph or less.

[SilvrT]

Here in B.C. a basic D/L is a class 5

 

You need to upgrade to a class 6 for M/C. This involves at a minimum a road test.

 

Motorhomes (class A, B, C) do not require any special licensing. If equipped with air brakes, you need to take and pass an air brake course and get an endorsement for that.

 

Trailers (campers and 5th wheels) require a code 7 endorsement if the loaded weight is 4600 Kg or over. This involves a written test, eye test comprehensive pre-trip inspection, and road test.

 

Here is the list from the ICBC Licensing website...

 

[h=3]Class 5 or 7 driver's licence[/h]What you can use it for:

 

• To drive cars, vans, trucks, motorhomes, construction & utility vehicles (2 axles maximum) and motorhomes (may exceed 2 axles)
  
• To tow trailers or vehicles up to 4,600kg
  
• To ride a limited speed motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)
  
• To ride 3-wheeled vehicles but does not include 3-wheeled motorcycles (trikes) or motorcycle/sidecar combinations
  

 

[h=3]Class 6 or 8 driver's licence[/h] [h=4]What you can use it for:[/h]

• To ride motorcycles, all-terrain cycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  

 

[h=3](Code 7) added to Class 4 or 5[/h]To tow a recreational (house) trailer exceeding 4,600 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW). Neither the truck nor trailer may have air brakes.

 

Mopeds and Scooters

[h=3]No special class of licence[/h]

 

• May be operated with all classes of driver's licence.
  
• Cannot be operated on a class 5 or 7 learner's licence
  

[h=4]A limited-speed motorcycle has:[/h]

• A motor with a piston displacement of 50 cc or less, or a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW
  
• A power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged
  
• A maximum speed of 70 km/h on level ground
  
• A maximum weight of 95 kg
  
• Wheels with a diameter of at least 254 mm
  

 

 

 

 

For boating (pleasure craft) you need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). This requires taking a comprehensive written test. Certain types of boats don't apply such as kayaks, canoes, boats with very small motors, etc.

http://www.cps-ecp.ca/pcoc.html

[BratmanXj]

Indiana (and I believe IL) requires "drivers licensed age" to operate power-craft on the water, i.e. a PWC or Boat. You can operate a fishing-craft under 10 (or 15 hp) with a boater safety class at 12.

 

I've never had an issue putting my 3 yr old in front of me on the Jet Ski technically in the drivers seat or sitting on my lap with the pontoon, but I don't go out and act stupid on the lake. I know people on the same lake who have been ticketed for similar instances of "minor at the wheel" so it all depends on the day of the week.

[djh3]

Here in Fla, the RV lobbyist fight pretty hard to keep out any special licencing from motorhomes and the like. If the state required a comprehensive test half these retired folks here would have to hire a drive to get out of the state. Most have never driven anything over a mini van and just jump right in a 40 foot air brake class A. No special requirements. Same with 5er. Never towed a trailer but buy a 50k PU and hooker up and away we go. I'm sure the power sport industry is same with jet ski. If they limited to 16 and up rental places would be hurting and sales would also. Half to kids running these things up and down the inlets are maybe 12-14.

I'm sure Calif probably regulates the heck out of it. 20 ft trailer is one rating 30+ another etc. Just saying they are sort of $$$$ hungry and they do like to be in your bussines an awful lot.