I just read in the FAQ that a motorcycle license is required to drive an Aptera in Massachusetts, if that's true I can't own one. Getting a class M license would require a riding test on a motorcycle something that I will never do, I wouldn't get on a motorcycle for all the money in the world.
Is Aptera going to lobby states that require a class M license for three wheelers to change their laws. If not then I'll have to wait for a four wheel version.
This 'car' will not pass the motorcycle drivers test in Illinois. It requires negotiating cones that are spaced way to close. Renting a motorcycle to pass a test to drive a car is ridiculous.
Helmet laws - Ignore and pay the fine in the extremely unlikely event you ever get ticketed.
License laws - Don't drive in those 2 states (MA/NY) until the laws are changed. This is a much bigger deal than the helmet. A helmet could get you a fine. But if you get into an accident and you weren't licensed to legally drive that vehicle, that could be very bad for you.
As I've said before and in other threads, I and a few others have been pestering our NY politicians to pass legislation which is close now, at least by appearances.
Actually I think if you get caught in another state with a different regulation and get pulled over, as long as you have your out of state plate and out of state address on your driver's license you can prolly tell the cop to bug off, then they'll give you a warning or nothing at all. But if you live in a state where they say you have to wear a helmet or something and get pulled over, then yeah that's really lame. Though even then you probably won't get pulled over so I still wouldn't worry about it.
Three wheels is a huge mistake. Even if the laws are amended in some states they won't be in all making road trips impossible. Wearing a helmet in a car is ridiculous, it serves no purpose while it will be so uncomfortable that long trips will be undoable. Three wheels has also introduced the problem of stability. To deal with that they've pushed the front wheels so far out that the car is wider than a pickup truck. You also have the issue that half the weight of the car will be placed on a single wheel vs 1/4th if they had two read wheels. They will have to build a four wheel version to gain any sort of acceptance.
What is interesting is that there is only space enough for a motorcycle license plate in the back. It will be interesting going to the DMV and registering it using a driver's license since people who work there I'm sure aren't used to accepting that. Though it will possibly come up in their computer system about what can be used.
And FWIW NY has the same issue. A bill has passed the house and senate that would make a regular drivers license usable for autocycles. Right now it is still waiting to be delivered to the Governor. Fingers crossed.
Don gave you the answer that is best. But, wear your helmet🤣
You don't have to buy a motorcycle to take the test, rent one for a month. NBD!
Massachusetts Senate Bill No. 2278 is a petition for an Act that's relative to autocycles. The good news is that it states: "An autocycle may be operated by any person possessing a valid license to operate a motor vehicle." The bad news is that it requires the operator and any passenger to wear helmets! See https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2278.Html.
It doesn't appear to have been passed into law yet, so there may be enough time to submit an amended petition to waive the helmet provision if the occupants are in a fully enclosed vehicle that meets the roof-crush provisions for automobiles established by NHTSA. I'd recommend that the amended petition include provisions for allowing for rear view cameras with an interior monitor or monitors, and to allow for a single license plate mounted at the rear of the vehicle.
If the Aptera is classified as a motorcycle, then take the test in an Aptera.