Necessary Licensing in New York Sate
Essential Licensing Requirements for Operating a Motorcycle in NYC
Just as driving a car in New York City requires a license, so does operating a motorcycle. The NYC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stresses that the types of licenses and limitations applicable to both are identical, but that the penalties are more severe for motorcyclists. This means that you cannot simply get behind the wheel of a motorcycle if you have a fresh driver’s license or one not yet expired. You may be subjected to the same classes of license, age limitations, and other requirements, such as insurance, a registration partnership with the state, and potential penalties for breaking the law.
The age limit to drive any motorized vehicle is the same as any other state: be at least 16 to obtain a license and be at least 18 to get a full or unrestricted license. There are two essential varieties of license available for operating motorcycles: a motorcycle learner’s permit and a full motorcycle license. Keep in mind that the same limitations apply to both cars and motorcycle licenses.
For a motorcycle learner’s permit , you must pass certain written and vision tests. No experience is required, although you need to have a license for a car or truck. For the permit, you must be at least 16 years old. It is fully valid for 6 months at a time and can be renewed unlimitedly, maintaining the legal limitations. There is a limitation that you are not able to drive with a permit at night and that a licensed and experienced driver rides with you, such as a parent or friend that is comfortable with the motorized vehicle.
You can then apply for a full motorcycle license provided that you: have had your learner’s permit for 6 months, pass a road test, and take a driver education course. It is different from a standard driver’s license in a few ways:
- You cannot use a rental motorcycle for your road test
- The family member that will be driving with you is not permitted on the motorcycle for this test
- You cannot transfer the responsibility for obtaining this license to anyone else
The DMV places an emphasis on the proper training ahead of time, so take advantage of what is available to you by ensuring everything is taken care of well before you need your license.
Motorcycle Vehicle Equipment Guidelines
Motorcycle Equipment Standards are another vital area of the law, especially given the harsh glare of NYC authorities on Brigade motorcyclists and culturally symbolic motorcycles. NYC motorcycle laws require, at a minimum, that motorcycles be equipped with at least one mirror, at least one taillight, at least one stoplight for the rear, and rear white or amber, and front white lights. There is also a specific list of required tail and stop lights based on whether your motorcycle is manufactured before or after 1975. Finally, exhaust systems can only be fitted if they are legal and have the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stamp.
Rules and Restrictions for Motorcyclists
In addition to the operating rules detailed above, New York City has specific riding regulations that all motorcyclists must adhere to. While many common sense, they’re worth detailing here.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is a practice in which a motorcycle proceeds between rows of stopped or slow-moving cars, often in highway situations. In NYC, lane splitting is technically prohibited, yet a recent survey showed that as many as 20% of riders in the NYC metro area engage in lane splitting. There’s no doubt that motorcyclists do this regularly, and the posted prohibition is largely ignored by both riders and law enforcement. Given the status of current NYS law, riders are urged to use their best judgment—and to slow down and pay close attention to the actions of other vehicles when lane splitting.
Speed Limits
All posted speed limits apply to motorcycles as they do to other vehicles. Riders are generally discouraged from driving faster than 40 mph for their own safety, as well as the safety of the vehicles around them.
Parking
The City Department of Transportation has designated places for parking motorcycles on public streets. If you ride a street-legal motorcycle rather than an off-road vehicle, you should look for one of those spaces or risk being ticketed.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
In New York, motorcyclists aren’t required to purchase any additional insurance over and above what is required for car owners. At a minimum, you’re required to obtain liability coverage in the following minimum amounts:
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Unless you opt to take the additional step of obtaining supplemental coverage, your motorcycle liability policy comes with a $50,000 personal injury benefits (PIP) in coverage.
Buying additional coverage, as with other automobiles, isn’t mandatory, but may be well worth it in the event of an accident. As motorcyclists face a tremendously higher risk of serious or even fatal injury in the event of a crash on their motorcycle, purchasing uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is strongly recommended to give the motorcyclist as much protection as possible in the event of an accident with another motorist with no or insufficient coverage.
Although motorcyclists are also required by law to wear a DOT-approved helmet, they should not rely on the law to protect them from catastrophic head injury in the event of a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists need to go above and beyond the law and invest in top quality head protection in order to minimize their risk of serious brain injury.
Common Traffic Offenses and Punishments
Motorcycle riders in New York City should be aware of the most common traffic violations, including speeding, running red lights, weaving between lanes, not wearing a helmet and driving without a license. It must be noted here that many of the traffic "laws" effectively lack a reasonable, uniform enforcement protocol, and those that do are often flouted without consequence because of the vital mass transportation function of riding a motorcycle.
This police practice has been dramatized in the movies as the "motorcycle cop." Although motorcycle cops are generally a highly trained and disciplined group, nevertheless, it is virtually unknown for NYPD motorcycle cops to ticket another motorcycle for "lane splitting," which some have claimed is a traffic violation in the City.
For example, there is a common practice in New York City among motorcycle operators, known as "white lining." White lining involves riding on the perimeter of the lane markers on your motorcycle so as to enable you to pass between lanes of traffic to the immediate left or right. This definition is from a very valuable website, New York City Lane Splitting. They are currently raising support for well-deserved legislation legalizing lane splitting in New York.
Usually, the fine for speeding is based on how over the speed limit you were traveling. For example, driving 10 miles over the limit might result in a $150 ticket , but going 30 miles over the limit could net a fine of $300 for another motorcycle operator. Keep in the back of your mind that a speed limit violation can also carry two points against your license.
The fine for running a red light in New York City can be either $50 or $75, depending on which police precinct issues the ticket. Again, running a red light carries two points against your license.
Unnecessarily weaving between lanes is often regarded as an ahistorical and racially motivated pretext to charge a minority motorcyclist with reckless driving. The problem is, such an idiosyncratic cop practice places a motorcyclist in a very untenable position. Either you get a ticket for weaving or you risk your life by not turning quickly enough around a cars’ side. It is often hard for the motorcyclist to put the necessary "place of safety" between lanes when traffic is heavy. Furthermore, as a practical matter, being too close to the side of a car may place you in a highly dangerous or mortal position.
A motorcycle rider found guilty of "failure to ensure helmet use" may face a fine as much as $350. In this instance, the rider may also be ticketed for not having a proper "eye protection," such as glasses or goggles, which can bring an additional $75 fine.
An additional interesting factoid is insurance. If you accrue points from traffic infractions, your insurance company may raise your rates. You may be able to obtain a point reduction by attending a point reduction class, which you can find in the online NYS DMV Booklet.
Essential Safe Riding Tips
In the bustling metropolis of New York City, the synergy of motorcycles and the urban landscape can be both exhilarating and perilous. Motorcyclists face unique challenges in this environment, but by following some essential safety tips and best practices, the risk can be significantly mitigated. Avoid lane splitting – the act of riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow or stopped traffic – is legal in many places around the world, but it is illegal in New York state. Instead, motorcyclists should remain in the designated lane to maintain visibility and predictability for themselves and other road users. Maintain a safe following distance – This practice allows motorcyclists to avoid sudden stops and gives them time to react to the movement of other vehicles. In the event that traffic comes to a standstill, motorcyclists should filter through and find an open space to safely pull over until traffic resumes. Be mindful of potholes and road debris – While all drivers should be cautious of these obstacles, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in cases where they lose control or have to navigate around them at high speed. Failing to do so may lead to an accident even if the motorcyclist is just trying to avoid an obstacle. Keep headlights on at all times – Motorcyclists should use low-beam headlights at all times in order to ensure maximum visibility to motorists, especially during dawn, dusk, and inclement weather conditions. In general, they should be striving to be as visible as possible at all times. Practice the "search, evaluate, execute" method – These three steps allow motorcyclists to be constantly alert to any hazards, as well as any opportunities to avoid them. The search step emphasizes the importance of scanning the entire roadway, which goes beyond just looking for immediate hazards. Rather, the rider should be on the lookout for other vehicles in addition to road conditions and pedestrians. Once they’ve spotted a potential threat, their job is not done: they must then evaluate the situation and determine whether it’s a hazard that needs evading, and what the best course of action is. After a potential hazard has been duly evaluated, the motorcyclist will then carry out the necessary actions in response to it. Practice defensive driving – Considering that motorcyclists have no exterior protection, they are particularly vulnerable to being struck by other vehicles. Therefore, it is critical that they remain vigilant at all times and anticipate the actions of other motorists so as to avoid collisions. Some defensive riding tactics include establishing eye contact with other drivers when making turns, monitoring for potential hazards at complex intersections, and being aware of the blind spots of nearby vehicles. Motorcycling is an enjoyable and economical means of transportation for many people in New York City. Riding a motorcycle, however, comes with its own set of dangers and risks. By following these and other safety tips and best practices, motorcyclists can avoid accidents and injury on the Manhattan roadways.
Resources for NYC Riders
For those who ride, New York City is an exhilarating place to be. So too are the many resources that help the two-wheeled community in the Big Apple ride safe and ride proud.
Legal Assistance
If you have been in a motorcycle or other accident in the past, consider participating in a free legal consultation. A legal consultation provides a no-fee opportunity to learn about your rights and identify your options. Many consultations can quickly be done by phone.
Bike Groups
The Motorcycle Safety Society hosts a number of events throughout the year that provide opportunities for riders to meet and connect. In addition, the group offers classes and other resources to help motorcyclists acquire skills and competent riding techniques.
Objectives of the Motorcycle Safety Society include:
Development of motorcycle safety education to minimize crashes , deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents and advise motorcyclists on safety practices;
Gathering research data and information to distribute to motorcyclists to enhance their understanding of the risks they face in daily riding; and
Educating police and members of the general public on the facts surrounding motorcycle riding safety.
The NYC chapter of the Harley Owners Group is a local chapter of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company. The group was founded in 1994 and now has over 200 members. This chapter holds regularly scheduled rides and events.
Safety Courses
The New York Safety Council offers traffic safety classes designed for traffic violators. In addition to the familiar traffic violation defense, available for both motorcyclists and motorists, the organization conducts courses for older drivers and employers with fleets of vehicles.