Can Sidecar Motorcycles Be Licensed?
3 Answers
Impossible. Sidecar motorcycles are no longer in production. Without being scrapped, they can pass annual inspections and obtain licenses for road use. However, sidecar motorcycles that have exceeded their scrapping period cannot be licensed or driven on the road. According to Article 70 of the "Measures for the Registration of Motor Vehicles of the People's Republic of China," violations of Article 64, Paragraph 1, involving the forgery of motor vehicle license plates, motor vehicle driving licenses, or motor vehicle registration certificates, shall be penalized as stipulated. If not for profit, the forged motor vehicle license plates, motor vehicle driving licenses, or motor vehicle registration certificates shall be confiscated, and a fine of 1,000 yuan shall be imposed. If for profit, the forged motor vehicle license plates, motor vehicle driving licenses, or motor vehicle registration certificates shall be confiscated. If there are no illegal gains, a fine of up to 10,000 yuan shall be imposed; if there are illegal gains, a fine of up to three times the illegal gains shall be imposed, but the fine shall not exceed 30,000 yuan. If the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued according to the law. Violations of Article 64, Paragraph 2 of these Measures, involving the use of forged motor vehicle license plates, motor vehicle driving licenses, or motor vehicle registration certificates, shall result in the confiscation of the forged items and a fine of 1,000 yuan.
As someone with experience in sidecar motorcycles, I can tell you it depends on the situation. A few years ago, I bought a sidecar motorcycle and was eager to get it licensed, only to find out that the vehicle must first meet national safety standards, such as having CCC certification and a factory certificate of compliance. The local DMV required me to bring the purchase invoice, insurance documents, and emission certification to complete the process. In cities with strict motorcycle bans like Beijing or Shanghai, you might get stopped, but in suburban areas or small towns, the chances are better. My advice is: choose reputable brands like Dayang or CFMoto, check the process with the DMV in advance to avoid wasted trips. Overall, compliant vehicles can be fully licensed—just don’t overlook regional restrictions, and safety comes first.
From a motorcycle repair perspective, I've seen many owners bring sidecars to me inquiring about licensing issues. The core lies in vehicle compliance—it must have national catalog certification and emission compliance proof, otherwise the DMV will reject it. Common problems include engine model discrepancies or excessive modifications, in which case the exhaust system needs adjustment to pass. Beginners are better off entrusting dealers to handle the process for hassle-free convenience. Daily maintenance shouldn't be neglected either, such as brake and chain lubrication, to ensure passing the inspection in one go. The key is to prepare ample documentation and avoid buying unregistered bikes just to save money.
