Colleyville Motorcycle Traffic Laws
Texas law has specific rules and regulations applicable to motorcycle riders. By following these laws, motorcyclists can maximize their safety on the road and hopefully prevent serious injuries in the event of an incident.
If you were involved in a crash while riding your motorcycle and were following Colleyville motorcycle traffic laws, you may have grounds to take legal action against the at-fault driver. Motorcycle collision cases can be incredibly complex in terms of proving liability and claiming financial damages, so having an attorney by your side every step of the way can prove invaluable in pursuing the most favorable outcome for your case.
Obtaining a Motorcycle License in Texas
State motorcycle traffic laws cover a range of key provisions applicable to Colleyville riders, including the type of protective gear they must wear as well as requirements for sharing the roadway with other motorists. Before getting out on the open road, one of the key requirements is that motorcycle riders must secure a specific license, known as a Class M license.
To obtain a Class M license, the individual will first need to enroll in a motorcycle safety course and receive a certificate of completion. If the applicant already has an up-to-date motorcycle license in another state, they may not have to complete the safety course. Depending on the licensure status, age of the applicant, and whether or not they have passed a safety course, testing requirements may include a written test, skills test, or vision test.
While restrictions apply, riders as young as 15 can obtain a Class M license in some cases, so these requirements are key to ensure the proper safety knowledge and training before getting out on the open road. If the applicant is minor, they will need to provide:
- Proof of a provisional driver’s license
- A Class C learner license
- A completed driver’s education course
- A certification of completion for the driver’s education course
Traffic Laws and Rider Safety Requirements
Once on the road, motorcyclists must abide by all applicable Colleyville traffic laws, signage, and rules. This means that motorcyclists must:
- Follow the written speed limits
- Stop at required signs, lights, and intersections
- Yield when required
- Not make illegal U-turns
It is illegal for a motorcycle rider to engage in lane splitting, which means operating the vehicle in between lanes rather than inside a specific lane on the roadway. Doing so could not only lead to a dangerous accident, but risk fines, tickets, and license points.
Motorcyclists must also take care when parking their vehicles, just as they would if parking a regular motor vehicle. This means that a motorcyclist cannot park on a sidewalk or in other forbidden areas, such as a bridge, crosswalk, or an area that blocks a curb ramp.
Motorcycle riders may not carry passengers under a certain age. Texas law requires that passengers be at least five years of age, and those younger than 21 must have a helmet on.
Safety Gear Requirements
In terms of motorcycle helmet requirements, in addition to any passengers, any rider who is younger than 21 must wear one.
If the rider is 21 or older, they do not have to wear a helmet if they have proper insurance coverage that would provide health benefits in the event of injury or if they have completed a qualifying motorcycle safety course. Regardless, it is always advisable to wear a helmet at all times when motorcycle riders are on the open road.
While not required, other protective gear is highly recommended for riders. These include proper eyewear, gloves, full-coverage jackets and pants, gloves, face shields, and riding boots.
Insurance Requirements
All riders must also carry the proper liability insurance coverage amounts. These amounts are at minimum:
- $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident
- $60,000 in total bodily injury coverage per accident
Vehicle Requirements
Riders must also ensure the vehicle complies with certain requirements in order to legally operate their motorcycle on the open road. The rider must complete the required vehicle registration process and equip their motorcycle with the relevant vehicle identification number. Registration must be kept valid and up to date.
Motorcycles may not be operated on the open road in Texas without certain equipment, including—a horn, mirror, headlamp, taillamp, rear red reflector, license plate lamp, and at least one rearview mirror. Handlebars are not permitted to exceed a height of 15 inches above the seat.
Call a Colleyville Attorney to Discuss Motorcycle Traffic Laws
Even if you carefully adhere to Colleyville motorcycle traffic laws, you may be left coping with serious injuries if a driver fails to operate their vehicle reasonably. You could be entitled to a wide scope of compensation depending on the extent of your injuries, the tangible and intangible losses you have suffered, the details of the accident, and the assignment of fault or liability for the crash.
A skilled attorney could help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages from the crash. They could also review your potential motorcycle accident case in a one-on-one case evaluation.
Contact our office today and ask to speak with an experienced lawyer so you can find out more about your best legal options.