Buying and Insuring in California - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

blackdogsong · 01-06-2008, 01:50 PM

Hi, I'm from Washington and have my washington state motorcycle license, but I'm going to be living in California for another year and a half. I want to buy a motorcycle in California and get it insured, but I don't want to have to get a California driver's license.
Does anyone know if this is possible?
(And sorry if this thread is in the wrong section)

**Clint** · 01-06-2008, 02:27 PM

So the question is, really, does your Washington motorcycle endorsement qualify in California, right?

Rickster · 01-06-2008, 02:37 PM

I don't know the answer to your question, but I am curious as to why you want a California model.

If your not going to change your license, why not just buy, and license the bike in WA?

**Clint** · 01-06-2008, 02:59 PM

He's living in CA.

**inspiron** · 01-06-2008, 03:06 PM

No, you don't need a California license, but you do need a mailing address in CA.

I recently did the same thing - I was in CA for about 2 months, and bought a bike to ride while I was there. I have a Swiss driver's license and motorcycle endorsement, plus an international driver's license. Buying, registering and insuring the bike was no problem (the dealer took care of the registration) - I just used my dad's address in San Diego for the registered address (I bought the bike in San Rafael, north of San Francisco)

PhotoJoe · 01-06-2008, 03:11 PM

Legally, in California, your license is supposed to be from the state of your current residence. When I went to college, when the kids with out of state plates got stopped, the Deputies would ask them where they where they lived. When they said at the college, they would get either a warning or a ticket for failing to update their license. I know several people who that happened to.

Rickster · 01-06-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

He's living in CA.

Sure, but if he still has a WA drivers license, they wouldn't question registering it there.

He said he's planing on keeping the WA license, so it seems to me, it would just save on some red tape if he just bought & registered it in WA.

Of course, as PhotoJoe said, past 90 days they could ticket him if he got caught.

**Clint** · 01-06-2008, 06:54 PM

I guess I didn't realize you could do that.

Rickster · 01-07-2008, 12:18 AM

Technically it's not legal, but it's breaking a small law, kind of like driving 7 over the limit.

blackdogsong · 01-07-2008, 12:25 AM

thanks for all the advice,
I really appreciate it!

ORBrit · 01-08-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

Technically it's not legal, but it's breaking a small law, kind of like driving 7 over the limit.

that's wrong?

Rickster · 01-08-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORBrit

that's wrong?

Yup, but than so's beating your kids,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what else am I going to use all these whips and chains for?

omegajim · 01-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

,what else am I going to use all these whips and chains for?

which reminds me of a local businesswoman entrepreneur.... but that's another story.

Blade · 01-12-2008, 12:36 PM

Here is what I understand about the law. If you have a vehicle registered in Washington, you have to carry Washington insurance. If your vehicle is registered in California, you have to carry California insurance. Being that said, give Rick a call at Cycle Insure and tell Bill Johnson sent you. Here is there # 800.800.0965

01-06-2008, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
blackdogsong Newbie Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 89 GSXF750 Katana, 97 EX250 Ninja Location: Seattle, WA, Irvine, CA Posts: 7	Buying and Insuring in California Hi, I'm from Washington and have my washington state motorcycle license, but I'm going to be living in California for another year and a half. I want to buy a motorcycle in California and get it insured, but I don't want to have to get a California driver's license. Does anyone know if this is possible? (And sorry if this thread is in the wrong section)

01-06-2008, 02:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,972	I don't know the answer to your question, but I am curious as to why you want a California model. If your not going to change your license, why not just buy, and license the bike in WA? __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

01-06-2008, 03:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,939	No, you don't need a California license, but you do need a mailing address in CA. I recently did the same thing - I was in CA for about 2 months, and bought a bike to ride while I was there. I have a Swiss driver's license and motorcycle endorsement, plus an international driver's license. Buying, registering and insuring the bike was no problem (the dealer took care of the registration) - I just used my dad's address in San Diego for the registered address (I bought the bike in San Rafael, north of San Francisco) __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

01-06-2008, 03:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
PhotoJoe Third gear and cruising Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: Looking for my first bike Location: Santa Clarita, CA Posts: 505	Legally, in California, your license is supposed to be from the state of your current residence. When I went to college, when the kids with out of state plates got stopped, the Deputies would ask them where they where they lived. When they said at the college, they would get either a warning or a ticket for failing to update their license. I know several people who that happened to. __________________

01-07-2008, 12:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,972	Technically it's not legal, but it's breaking a small law, kind of like driving 7 over the limit. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

01-07-2008, 12:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
blackdogsong Newbie Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 89 GSXF750 Katana, 97 EX250 Ninja Location: Seattle, WA, Irvine, CA Posts: 7	thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it!

01-12-2008, 12:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Blade TurtleWax Taster Joined: Mar 2006 Location: La Quinta, Ca Posts: 598	Here is what I understand about the law. If you have a vehicle registered in Washington, you have to carry Washington insurance. If your vehicle is registered in California, you have to carry California insurance. Being that said, give Rick a call at Cycle Insure and tell Bill Johnson sent you. Here is there # 800.800.0965 __________________ Bill Johnson Email: bill@billsbikesnservice.com website: www.billsbikesnservice.com

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