Does Oregon Require a Motorcycle Endorsement or Helmet to Drive an Arcimoto? No!

The Arcimoto in Oregon has some carve outs as far as drivers are not required to have a motorcycle endorsement or wear a helmet. So I would suggest you simply carry a sheet of paper with something like this:

Hello Deputy/Officer

The Arcimoto has FMVSS roof crush testing as evidenced by the sticker by the driver’s foot. Oregon has a carve out in the laws that states if the vehicle has FMVSS roof crush testing, seat belts, 3 wheels, and doesn’t straddle the seat (as the seats are bucket seats), you are not required to wear a helmet or have a motorcycle endorsement.

ORS 801.133

Autocycle means a motorcycle that:

(1) Is manufactured to travel on three wheels; (2) Has nonstraddle seating; and

(3) Is equipped with a manufacturer-installed three-point safety belt or safety harness. [2017 c.296 §2; 2021 c.630 §125]

ORS 807.020 (13) does authorize exceptions for the motorcycle endorsement requirement when an operator of a motorcycle is: (a) within an enclosed cab; (b) Operating a vehicle designed to travel with three-wheels in contact with the ground at speeds of less than 15 miles per hour; or (c ) operating an autocycle.

ORS 814.290 Exemptions from motorcycle helmet requirements
A person is not in violation (of ORS 814.269, 814.275, 814.280) if the person is any of the following:- (1) Within an enclosed cab. (2) Operating or riding a vehicle designed to travel with three wheels in contact with the ground at speeds of less than 15 miles per hour. [1983 c.338 §693; 1987 c.910 §6; 1995 c.492 §7]

OAR 737-010-0005  Enclosed Cab for Three-Wheeled Vehicle Defined

“Enclosed Cab” for the purposes of ORS 814.290 (Exemptions from motorcycle helmet requirements)(1), is a three-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle or moped, with a structural upper frame and roof defining the compartment for driver and passenger(s) that is certified by the vehicle manufacturer as meeting the standards for the structural upper frame and roof prescribed under 49 CFR 571.216a.

NOTE: 49 CFR 571.216a is the same as the FMVSS 216a roof crush test per sticker on the Arcimoto near the driver’s foot.