Florida Motorcycle Laws

Know the Laws to Stay Safe on the Road

As a motorcycle rider in Florida, it's important to understand the state's laws governing motorcycles and their operation. These laws are designed to keep riders safe on the road, but they can also impact your legal rights if you're involved in an accident. At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we represent injured motorcycle riders throughout Florida and have seen firsthand how important it is for riders to be aware of these laws. We want to help keep you safe by helping you understand these laws.

Important Florida Motorcycle Laws You Should Know

• Motorcycle endorsement: A driver’s license does not authorize you to operate a motorcycle in Florida. You must have a separate motorcycle endorsement or a “motorcycle only” license. If you get into a motorcycle accident and don’t have a license, then it will be easier for the other motorist to pin liability on you by saying that you don’t know how to safely operate the motorcycle, as evidenced by your lack of legal licensure.
• Helmet use: Riders younger than 21 must wear properly fitted motorcycle helmets while the vehicle is in operation. Riders over 21 must wear a motorcycle helmet if they do not have insurance coverage that can provide at least $10,000 in medical benefits. In any situation, you should always wear a motorcycle helmet. If you suffer a head injury in a crash and didn’t have a motorcycle helmet on, then the defendant might try to argue that you accepted the risk of a head injury, which could increase your liability. Not to mention, wearing a motorcycle helmet greatly reduces your risk of a head or brain injury.
• Eye protection use: All motorcycle riders in Florida must use eye protection while riding. This is not optional like helmet use is for some adult riders.
• Music volume: If you use a listening device like headphones or in-helmet headphones while riding, the volume must not be so loud that it obstructs your ability to hear the noise of traffic.
• Lane splitting: Florida does not permit lawful lane splitting, which is the act of riding a motorcycle between two lanes of occupied traffic. Motorcyclists and motorists must treat a motorcycle like a full-sized vehicle deserving of an entire lane. Although, two motorcycles can share a lane responsibly. Your liability could be jeopardized if you were hit while lane splitting because the driver could argue that you reasonably should not have been there, especially if you were in their blind spot.
• Mirrors: Every motorcycle used in Florida must be equipped with mirrors that allow the driver to see at least 200 feet behind the vehicle. Without mirrors on your motorcycle, you can put yourself at risk of an accident that otherwise could have been prevented had you been able to see the road behind you.
• Headlights: While your motorcycle is in operation, the headlight must be turned on. By keeping your headlight on, even during the daytime, you can greatly increase your visibility to other motorists, reducing the risk of a motorcycle accident.
• Passenger safety: Motorcycles in Florida must be equipped with a seat and footrests to be used by passengers. It is unlawful to allow more passengers to ride on your motorcycle than it can fit based on these safety requirements.
• Stunt riding: It is unlawful to perform a wheelie or any other stunt riding trick while on a motorcycle. You could struggle to file a convincing motorcycle accident claim if it can be proven that you were performing a stunt when you crashed.

Following all motorcycle laws in Florida is crucial for the safety of both riders and other motorists on the road. By obeying these laws, you can help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident and ensure that you're prepared to protect your legal rights if an accident does occur. Even if you think you might have contributed to the accident due to a Florida motorcycle law violation, you could still have a valid claim, so don’t hesitate to call us at (855) 933-3881 to learn more.