## Motorcycle Awareness 

Motorcycle and moped drivers have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles. Riders committing traffic violations may receive citations. 

## Laws for Motorcycle/Moped 

• You must be 16 years of age or older to operate a motorcycle or moped on a public road. 

• If under 18, you must hold a learner’s license for 12 months with no moving violation convictions prior to the issuance of a Motorcycle Only license. 

• Operators of motorcycles must complete an approved motorcycle safety course and get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver license or a Motorcycle Only license. 

• Operators of mopeds must have the minimum of a Class E driver license. No motorcycle endorsement is required. 

• Operators of motorcycles must wear a helmet unless they are over the age of 21 AND carry a medical insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries. 

• Motorcycles and mopeds: 

◆ must be registered annually and have the proper tag; and 

◆ must not be operated on bicycle paths or foot paths. 

• Operators of Motorcycles and mopeds do not have to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. 

## Tips for Motorists 

• You must never attempt to share the lane with a motorcycle. The motorcyclist is entitled to the entire lane. 

• Watch for motorcycles and look carefully before pulling into an intersection or changing lanes. 

• It is difficult to gauge the speed of a motorcycle because they take up less field of vision which interferes with depth perception. They may appear to be much farther away than they really are. 

• Do not follow too closely behind a motorcycle; remember that motorcycles have the ability to stop more quickly than other vehicles. 

• Motorcyclists ofen slow down by down-shifing or rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. 

• Never pass a motorcyclist with only a few feet of space. The force of the wind gust can cause the rider to lose control. 

• When your vehicle is being passed by a motorcycle, maintain your lane position. Do not increase your speed. 

• Maintain more than a four-second buffer zone between you and a motorcyclist, and increase space when encountering these conditions: inclement weather, gusty winds, wet or icy roads, bad road conditions such as potholes, gravel roads, and railroad crossings. 

