California Permit at Night
 

Hey guys,

I'm getting my permit in a few days and I have a question about the whole not being able to ride at night thing. I'm 19, so I'm in that stupid period between 18 and 21 where you still have to wait 6 months to get your full license. All it says is that you are not allowed to ride at night, with a passenger or on the freeway. The night part really bugs me because I work usually just past sunset literally a mile or 2 from my house across town.

My question is what would happen if I got pulled over at night coming home from a late shift at work? I know there's a good chance the cop would be nice (they're pretty chill here apparently) and let me off with a warning since I'm going straight home but I don't want to take a big risk. Does anyone know what the actual penalty is for riding at night with a permit? I've heard they can suspend your permit for six months and impound your bike. But that's just what I've heard. Anyone?

Talk to your local police about getting a waiver to allow you to ride to and from work ONLY.

I did that. They said there were "no exceptions to the rules". Basically seemed like just a desk worker following bureaucratic crap. Which really sucks because in a fair world there would be some kind of waiver like that that exists.

+1 to Shadow's recommendation. Adding to that, I've heard of drivers/riders in your situation getting what's called a *hardship* license/waiver. Get yourself a lawyer, preferably a motorcycle oriented lawyer, that deals w/ this sort of thing. You'd much rather be legal than risk penalty.

Would you still need to wait if you took the MSF class?

Yes. You need to take the MSF course to even get your permit here. I've already done the course and it was a blast. I'll try and talk to some different people at the police department and see if I can get some kind of waiver. I doubt it but it's worth another try.

You need to talk to a motorcycle lawyer & the DMV, not the police.

Heck, just get out your bicycle and ride it to work if it's only 1-2 miles. I ride mine 23 miles each way.

Funny. I just became a legal rider. When I got pulled overit was a $50 fine

19 yep thats when I Got legal. My dad used to say "hey get on the bike and go get us some ice cream" when i was 12. but anyway I got pulled over at night I explained to cop what was the cause and he let me go. The reason he pulled me over I ran a red light. He watched me sit at it for a long time and then when did not change I went and he pulled me over to teach me how to get the light change. nice guy, made sure I was one my way home and I soon got the real M1. that was 20+ years ago times have change I dont know I would risk it on a motorcycle now. But I do tell my "15 year hey go get us some ice cream". make him take the car though. oh yea I was carring a 6 pack I thought I was dead