Are the Driver's Licenses for Three-Wheeled Motorcycles and Two-Wheeled Motorcycles the Same?
3 Answers
Two-wheeled motorcycles and three-wheeled motorcycles require different driver's licenses. Below are the relevant details: Detail 1: The official driver's license for two-wheeled motorcycles is Class E. A Class E license permits driving ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles; the vehicles allowed are two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml or a maximum design speed exceeding 50km/h. Detail 2: The official driver's license for three-wheeled motorcycles is Class D. A Class D license permits driving ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles; the vehicles allowed are three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml or a maximum design speed exceeding 50km/h. Detail 3: Holding a Class D license allows driving all vehicle types covered by Class D, E, and F licenses; holding a Class E license only permits driving all vehicle types covered by Class E and F licenses.
Riding motorcycles is one of my biggest hobbies, especially the feeling of cruising on weekends. I started with small-displacement two-wheelers and have now upgraded to a cooler bike, but here's the key issue—licenses for three-wheelers and two-wheelers are completely different. For regular two-wheelers, you need a Class E license, which requires passing specialized theory and road tests, like turning and speed control. But for three-wheeled motorcycles, such as trikes or luxury three-wheelers, a Class D license is necessary. That exam is stricter, with additional rollover tests and more complex handling sections. Why the distinction? Because riding a three-wheeler requires different balance skills and is more prone to tipping over. My driving instructor said the classification is for safety—I’ve seen people fined for using a Class E license on a trike and getting into trouble. If you're just riding two-wheelers, Class E is enough; but if you want to upgrade, you’ll need retraining and a new license. Don’t mix them up to avoid violations.
I have been promoting the concept of safe riding and have participated in many community lectures. When it comes to driver's licenses, the requirements for three-wheeled motorcycles and two-wheeled motorcycles are completely different, which makes absolute sense. Two-wheelers require an E or F class license, while three-wheelers must have a D class license. The main difference lies in the skills: three-wheelers have a higher center of gravity and pose greater risks when turning, so the test includes more hands-on operations to prevent accidents. Safety data also supports this—accident rates are higher when licenses are used interchangeably. That's why I recommend choosing the right license type from the start. Don’t cut corners thinking licenses are interchangeable; in real life, like my neighbor who wanted to drive a three-wheeler for deliveries, he had to take additional D-class courses. The process went smoothly, but it required some time to learn. Remember, following the rules is the best way to protect yourself and others.
