Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Morgan 3 Wheeler License in Texas

I haven't found a good resource online regarding this subject, so I'm posting the information I have researched regarding the appropriate licensing requirements for a Morgan 3 Wheeler in Texas.

1) Texas considers the Morgan 3 Wheeler a motorcycle for licensing purposes, you will need an "M" (motorcycle) endorsement on your license to drive a M3W legally in Texas.

2)To get an "M" endorsement you need to take a private "Basic Riders Course" that is offered at many places across the state, like here: http://www.motorcyclerentalshouston.com/miscpage_010.asp

NOTE: You can take the Basic Riders Course on either a conventional two wheeled motorcycle, or on a 3 wheeled motorycle-type "trike" like a Can Am Spyder (Two wheels in front) or a Harley Trike Conversion (1 wheel in front). You CANNOT take the basic riders course in your Morgan Three Wheeler. Many "trike" courses have trikes available for you to take the course on - usually Can Am Spyder's.

3) After you take the course (which is given over either two or three days), you recieve a certificate, which you take to the Texas DPS office. You then need to take a short written test, if you pass, you are given an "M" endorsement on your license and can drive a Morgan 3 Wheeler legally in Texas.

Texas has no helmet law for adults driving either Motorcycles or Trikes of anykind.

Crowbar- do you ride motorcycles? I took the safety course in NY years ago, and would consider it a necessary, but hardly sufficient condition to ride motorcycles.
My riding days are up, but man, what freedom (at some risk). Getting too old....
My NY license, with 'M' endorsement, carries over to Tx, so no need to retest.
Not sure whether I'd feel the need for anything but a light helmet in the Morgan, at most, but on a bike, I always, always geared up- full on enclosed helmet, boots, and armor. Still freaks me out to see the sportbike dudes running in shorts and flipflops with a barely dressed female riding on back.
PS, if you find out whether there is a front license plate requirement in Tx, that would be interesting. Typically bikes only have a rear plate.

"Still freaks me out to see the sportbike dudes running in shorts and flipflops with a barely dressed female riding on back."

It's called a testosterone fueled death wish. Others may call it freedom. I'm going with death wish.

The Morgan calls for some kind of head covering and goggles. Even sunglasses aren't enough. Too much road debris. bugs. whatever.

Hi Whart...I don't ride presently - but I'll probably take the BRC on a motorcycle - as I'll at least gain a little knowledge and skill that I don't presently have. Taking the BRC on a Can Am Spyder just seems like an utter waste of time...

Agree that goggles are a necessity on a M3W - a helmet with ear flaps may help with the wind noise at speed - which I found pretty significant over 50 mph - which is why I think those leather aviator-type caps are popular with the M3W crowd. However, my wife has informed me that the wearing of such a cap is where she draws the line...

My car is slated for a firm delivery in mid to late September. I can meet you somewhere near Bastrop if you want to take a ride and a look.

Cheers,

GC

GC -- thanks for posting this. My 1936 Super Sports was registered in Bastrop County as a car in 2002 but a friend from Lake Jackson who wanted to register a 1949 F-Super in TX a few years later was told he'd have to register as a MC. I'd wondered if and how this had been finally settled.

We've got a red 2013 trike near here, in Wimberley.

Duncan Charlton

Hi Duncan,

The law apparently changed a few years ago making all 3 wheelers in Texas motorcycles in the eyes of the law.

Are you involved with Morgan's on the Gulf? I sent a membership request a few months ago but never got an answer...

Glad to know there's another M3W near Houston! I'd love to see your SS sometime!

Funny about that: mine will quite happily wear the leather flying helmet but absolutely refuses to consider a light open face helmet. At one stage they were quite popular in open sports cars.

Actually I find you get more wind noise with the flying helmet. Seems strange I know. Perhaps other users can comment.

"Actually I find you get more wind noise with the flying helmet. Seems strange I know. Perhaps other users can comment"

I'll agree with this - the wind rush on the edge of the ear flaps seems to be the culprit. I wear earplugs if I'm above town speeds anyway.
Side benefit of keeping in the ear plugs in town is you can of course use higher revs and more throttle without seeming overly loud...

I agree as well! It does seem to be the ear flaps that cause the problem on the flying helmet style ones, I also find in one of them that the sides let the air in at speed. Ear plugs are worth using on longer journeys. I have got a tight fitting one with no ear flaps which is really quiet, it's lined and so a bit hot this time of year, I found it in TKMax of all places and they only had one, no label in it either . Any quiet summer suggestions would be interesting .

Crowbar,
Sorry to hear you didn't hear from anyone at MogMog. If you'll send me a message off-group I'll forward it to the club president (the guy in Lake Jackson).

I haven't been a paying member of MogMog for three or four years now but do keep a membership in TexMog, up in Dallas, and I'm involved with HotMog (Heart of Texas MOG - no dues, no rules, no officers) here in the Austin region. MogMog membership has dwindled in recent years as people have retired and left Houston, and now their activities seem to be fewer, although I still get a monthly email about meeting up for a noggin and natter at the Mucky Duck (they met up there last Saturday). I usually attend their spring weekend gathering and also the fall regional gathering which is coordinated by one of the three clubs in rotation. This year that event will be in Granbury in early November.

Re: the wind noise -- I've driven a new 5-speeder three times now, up to about 70 mph, and found the wind noise and wind battering significantly less irritating the vintage Morgan 4-wheelers. It's perhaps about like the '36 SS, although truthfully I've never had it much over 65 mph. "Racing" screens allow the air to go past your head (careful while you lean over to say something to your passenger, however), whereas a full windshield causes air to flow at you from behind and from outboard/below (the latter is why wind wings don't work too well on Morgans; the high velocity air is coming over the top of the door toward your ear, entering about 4" back from the front of the door). I guess the worst I've experienced was in a Lotus Super 7 with a full stock windshield. Fantastic fun for about 20 minutes but the battering by the wind was extreme.

I had the same experience as others with a leather flying helmet with the ear flaps -- too much noise -- so I consider it better for keeping my head warm than for anything else. I use foam earplugs on long trips and either a flat cap (shorter bill means it's less likely to be lifted off) or a hard-to-find straw baseball cap in the summer (air flows through it).