Do you Need a Motorcycle License to Drive a Can-Am Spyder?
Updated: August 14, 2024
Driving a Can-Am Spyder on Florida's roads can be a lot of fun—but it's important to be sure you're doing so safely and legally. Keep reading to learn more about the legal requirements for driving and operating a Can-Am Spyder in the state.
Is a motorcycle license necessary to drive a Can-Am Spyder in Florida?
Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Spyder? If you want to legally drive a Can-Am Spyder in Florida, you need to have at least one of these two different types of Florida licenses:
- A motorcycle license
- A Class E driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement
These requirements are the same for any motorcycle with an engine of at least 50cc. It is illegal to drive a Can-Am Spyder without a proper license.
How do I get a motorcycle license in Florida?
Residents can qualify for a motorcycle-only license in Florida. You will need to pass the knowledge test for the Class E driver's license, complete a Basic Rider Course (created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation), and pay the endorsement fee.
Can you operate a Spyder with a Class E Driver's License?
Driving a Spyder around Florida with a Class E driver's license is possible, but only if your license has a motorcycle endorsement. The only exception to this is for driving motorcycles or similar motorized vehicles that have an engine below 50cc.
What is a basic rider course?
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation created a Basic Rider Course for motorcycle riders with little to no experience. This course is 15 hours long and covers basic safety, operating vehicles, and complex skills. The Basic Rider Course updated is a supplemental course that includes additional material for defensive riding and staying safe. Riders with some experience who haven't ridden a Can-Am Spyder or other motorcycle recently should consider taking the Basic Rider Course updated.
What is the minimum age for driving a Can-Am Spyder?
Whether you are a Florida resident or an out-of-state visitor, you must be at least 16 years old to legally drive a Can-Am Spyder on any Florida road.
Anyone under 18 years old attempting to get a motorcycle-only license must have a general Learner's License for at least one year without a traffic conviction in order to qualify.
What is an endorsement?: How to get one
The answer to "Do you need a motorcycle license for a Spyder?" isn't always yes. Instead, you can get an endorsement on your current license. If you have a Class E driver's license, that doesn't automatically make you eligible to drive a Can-Am Spyder or other motorcycle. Instead, you need to add a motorcycle endorsement to the license. Motorcycle-also endorsements give you the legal ability to ride a Spyder. To get this endorsement, you'll need to complete the Basic Rider Course or the updated version, including taking the course and passing an exam.
Once you have this endorsement, your license will have an "A" in front of your license number and will have "A-MTRCL Also" on the back of your license.
If you are visiting Florida from out of state, you will need to have an equivalent driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement. The only exception is Alabama license holders, who must also have a Basic Rider Course completion card.
What are the penalties for getting caught driving a Can-Am Spyder without a license?
A second-degree misdemeanor in Florida is driving a Can-Am Spyder or other motorcycle without a license. This can result in the following penalties: a fine of at least $500, up to 60 days in jail, a driver's license suspension for up to one year, and having the motorcycle impounded for no more than 30 days.
Want to learn more about driving a Can-Am Spyder in Florida? Reach out to Riva Motorsports Miami today.
Image Credit: Viktor Prymachenko / Shutterstock