Motorcycle insurance

Slingshot, Trike or Autocycle? Florida’s License, Helmet and Insurance Rules for Three-Wheelers

Written and reviewed by Mikhail Kozlov, licensed insurance agent, M&K AgencyPublished October 3, 20263 min read

Three-wheelers come in two very different shapes: the car-like kind with two wheels in front, a steering wheel and side-by-side seats, and the motorcycle-like trike you straddle and steer with handlebars. Florida treats both as motorcycles, but only one of them is an autocycle, and that decides whether you need an endorsement.

How Florida defines an autocycle

Under s. 316.003, an autocycle is a three-wheeled motorcycle with:

two wheels in front and one in back;
a roll cage or roll hoops and a seat belt for each occupant;
brakes that meet federal standard 122 and a steering mechanism;
seating you do not straddle;
and it is built to the federal motorcycle safety standards by a manufacturer registered with NHTSA.

The same statute says the word “motorcycle” includes an autocycle. So an autocycle is a motorcycle that gets one special license rule.

The license question

Autocycle: driver license, no endorsement

Florida law says a person may operate an autocycle without a motorcycle endorsement (s. 322.03). You still need a valid driver license (FLHSMV).

Trike or other three-wheeler: endorsement required

To operate any two- or three-wheel motorcycle over 50 cc that is not an autocycle, you need a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle-only license. FLHSMV lists a 3-Wheel Basic RiderCourse and a Sidecar/Trike Education Program among the courses that lead to it, and says no one under 16 may legally operate a motorcycle on Florida roads (FLHSMV).

Before you buy

If a three-wheeler has handlebars or a seat you sit astride, plan on the endorsement. If it has a steering wheel and real seats, check that it meets every part of the autocycle definition.

Helmets

Florida’s helmet and eye-protection law applies to motorcycles, and it does not apply to people riding within an enclosed cab (s. 316.211). Many autocycles have an open cockpit, so read the statute before you ride without a helmet; adults 21 or older who ride without one need at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage.

Insurance: no PIP on three wheels

Florida’s PIP and property damage requirement for registration applies to vehicles with at least four wheels (FLHSMV, s. 627.732). That means the PIP on your car policy does not protect you in a three-wheeler. Medical payments, uninsured motorist and liability coverage are the questions to ask, and coverage depends on the policy.

Own a Slingshot or another autocycle?

See our Slingshot and autocycle insurance guide for the coverage gaps on three wheels.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a motorcycle license to drive a Slingshot in Florida?

Not if the vehicle meets Florida’s definition of an autocycle: s. 322.03 lets you operate an autocycle without a motorcycle endorsement. You still need a valid driver license.

Do I need an endorsement for a trike?

Yes, if it is not an autocycle. A three-wheel motorcycle over 50 cc that you straddle and steer with handlebars requires a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle-only license. FLHSMV lists a 3-Wheel Basic RiderCourse for riders who want to qualify on three wheels.

Is an autocycle a motorcycle in Florida?

Yes. Florida’s definition of motorcycle includes autocycles. The main difference in the law is that an autocycle does not require a motorcycle endorsement.

Does car PIP cover me in an autocycle?

No. Florida’s PIP law is written for vehicles with four or more wheels. Ask your agent about medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage for the autocycle.

This article is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy, and eligibility rules can change. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.

Sources

Facts checked against these official sources on October 3, 2026.