Towing with a motorcycle in California...

[Kornholio]

So a coworker just completed the new CA-MSP course at Mission College over the weekend and was telling me this morning that one of the written test questions asked what the speed limit was for towing with your motorcycle. Apparently the correct answer was 45 MPH...but that was never covered in the instruction. I just confirmed with one of the instructors that I know that the program doesn't provide anything on that question and that they want the student to research it themselves. :wtf

Regardless, my background tells me that 55 MPH is the speed limit for all vehicles when towing in California and that you're restricted to the right two lanes (when there's three or more) and cannot use the carpool lanes. Am I wrong on the speed limit with regards to motorcycles? Is there a CVC that states otherwise? :dunno

 

[NorCalBusa]

Double nickel.

MSP guys should stick to their own curriculum...

 

[Junkie]

Is there a law that says you can't use the carpool lane while towing, or is it just that you're restricted to the right lanes? Some places (Bay Bridge, many of the Expressways in the South Bay) have carpool lanes on the right.

 

[Kornholio]

The signs have it posted right on them (typically)...

 

[Junkie]

I don't know that I've ever seen one of those signs :dunno the Bay Bridge sign doesn't appear to say anything about towing

 

[Crjunkee]

Yes 55 mph, no more in Comifornia

 

[DReg350]

So a coworker just completed the new CA-MSP course at Mission College over the weekend and was telling me this morning that one of the written test questions asked what the speed limit was for towing with your motorcycle. Apparently the correct answer was 45 MPH...but that was never covered in the instruction. I just confirmed with one of the instructors that I know that the program doesn't provide anything on that question and that they want the student to research it themselves. :wtf

Regardless, my background tells me that 55 MPH is the speed limit for all vehicles when towing in California and that you're restricted to the right two lanes (when there's three or more) and cannot use the carpool lanes. Am I wrong on the speed limit with regards to motorcycles? Is there a CVC that states otherwise? :dunno

It's not 45, it's 55...

From the California DMV's own web site... California Motorcycle Handbook (2015)...

Page 39...

Motorcycles Towing Trailers
Motorcycles towing trailers:
• Must not exceed 55 mph.
• Must remain in the right lane
unless it is a four lane highway,
then the right two lanes, except
when passing.
• Are not allowed in carpool
lanes.
For more information, see the
Recreational Vehicles and Trailers
Handbook available online at
www.dmv.ca.gov or you may
obtain a copy at your local DMV
office

 

[jmillington]

Strictly speaking, the original post said "for towing with your motorcycle", not "for towing your motorcycle."

I read this to mean that you are towing something (like maybe a small trailer) with your motorcycle, not using a vehicle (like a truck) to tow your motorcycle (on a trailer).

Maybe that is what they meant by the question (maybe not).

 

[Kornholio]

Either way, it's still 55 MPH.

 

[bojangle]

Yup! 55 in CA.

 

[Kornholio]

Thanks, all! :thumbup

 

[mbsv]

what is it in oregon?

 

[packnrat]

what is it in oregon?

the speed limit.:afm199

 

[danate]

So a coworker just completed the new CA-MSP course at Mission College over the weekend and was telling me this morning that one of the written test questions asked what the speed limit was for towing with your motorcycle. Apparently the correct answer was 45 MPH...but that was never covered in the instruction. I just confirmed with one of the instructors that I know that the program doesn't provide anything on that question and that they want the student to research it themselves. :wtf

Regardless, my background tells me that 55 MPH is the speed limit for all vehicles when towing in California and that you're restricted to the right two lanes (when there's three or more) and cannot use the carpool lanes. Am I wrong on the speed limit with regards to motorcycles? Is there a CVC that states otherwise? :dunno

The CMSP curriculum teaches that the correct speed for towing with your motorcycle is 55mph. It is also covered during the lecture portion of the class.

 

[Kornholio]

The CMSP curriculum teaches that the correct speed for towing with your motorcycle is 55mph. It is also covered during the lecture portion of the class.

I'm not going to name names, but that's not what I was told by an instructor.

 

[danate]

I just went through the instructor course and have the materials. It's definitely 55mph and it's definitely on one of the slides we teach in class. There is always an adjustment to a new curriculum so it may have just been a misunderstanding.

 

[Kornholio]

I'm thinking it must have been. They told me that there was no guidance from the program on that question and the coworker specifically said it was never covered in the classroom. :dunno

 

[NorCalBusa]

I'm not going to name names, but that's not what I was told by an instructor.

I bet his thermostat is set for 55 and he drives 75mph too... :teeth

 

[Kornholio]

Probably does...just like everyone else. :cool

 

[Outlaws Justice]

Sometimes it is the only way to travel