In anticipation of the electric scooter (vespa-style, not hoverround-style) I ordered, I’ve been investigating vehicle and driver registration and insurance type stuff. The call to State Farm was kind of funny,
SF: “How many cc’s is the bike?”
me: “none, it’s electric”
SF: “How many cc’s is the bike?”
me: “um, they said it’s classed as a 49cc moped, er scooter, no cycle endorsement required class”
But in the end, without a VIN, it was really just a guessing game for her. But it does sound like they’ll cover it.
The plates seem straightforward. It’s when I get to the cycle-driver’s endorsement, that things get strange again. Seems in washington you have two choices. You can go to the DMV, take a written and driven test, and get your license AND an instructor’s permit. Or you can go to a driving school, take their course, and get a waiver for both written and driven tests, but you get no instructor’s permit. Given that the Novice Course nearest my house (but almost certainly out of range for the electric given I’m basing it at work, where they’ve agreed to pay to charge it up) is booked solid through October, seems like it would be a piece of cake to take the test at the DMV, get my instructor’s permit alongside my endorsement, and then recoup the cost by giving a couple of classes myself.
I suspect in practicallity, the insurance and location requirements prevent people from actualy doing that too often. I dunno. I’ll have to stop in a motorcycle store and ask around.