Despite preventative actions taken by motorcyclists, accidents still occur, and the losses can be significant. The financial burden incurred through motorcycle accidents can be particularly great due to lost wages, expensive medical bills, and, potentially, occupational therapy. To add to the losses, a bike may be irreparable.
Rainstorms pose special problems for motorcyclists. They should pull off the road or take shelter under an overpass. The road is most slippery during the first several minutes of a storm. If one must ride the motorcycle in the rain, driving in the tracks of the cars in front may improve the traction of the vehicle. Driving on the painted lines or metal surfaces may actually diminish the traction of a motorcycle.
Cars cause about two-thirds of motorcycle-car crashes. Drivers of cars are looking for other cars—not motorcycles. Motorcycles should take extra care to drive cautiously. One should use the high beams, especially during highway driving. And motorcyclists should be careful not to hide in a driver’s blind spot. They should never attempt to share a lane with a driver, and never assume that a car can see the motorcycle. When changing lanes, motorcyclists should always signal.
What are the requirements for obtaining a temporary motorcycle instruction permit, a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle only license?
Note: this applies to scooters over 50cc, such as the Vino 150 or Vespa ET-4.
According to S. 322.03 (4), F.S., “A person may not operate a motorcycle unless he or she holds a driver’s license that authorizes such operation, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements.”
In other words, you cannot legally operate a motorcycle on Florida’s roadways without a “Motorcycle Also” endorsement added to your regular driver license. Prior to obtaining the endorsement, you may operate your motorcycle without passengers with a temporary motorcycle permit if you are 21 years old or older. Your regular driver license will not serve as the permit. You must pass the motorcycle written test at any driver licenses office in order to obtain the temporary motorcycle permit. The permit is valid for 60 days, will be restricted to “No Passengers”, may be issued a maximum of five times and is to be carried with your regular license.
There are basically three ways for individuals holding a Florida driver license to obtain a motorcycle endorsement. These methods are as follows:
Complete a Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP) basic motorcycle safety course and present the completion card to any driver license office in order to receive the motorcycle endorsement without any further testing. Visit the FRTP web page for information regarding motorcycle safety courses in Florida. If you are under 21 years old, you are required to take a FRTP course prior to obtaining a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle only license.
Take a motorcycle to an appropriate driver license office and pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skill test. The motorcycle endorsement will be issued upon passing both evaluations. Go to other Driver License Information for more information, including contact information for driver license offices.
Visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles approved third-party motorcycle tester and pass the exact same tests required at the driver license offices. The customer provides his or her own motorcycle, or many of the third-party testers will loan/rent a small motorcycle to the customer for use during the on-cycle skill evaluation. Many of the FRTP course sponsors are third-party motorcycle testers. FRTP course sponsor contact information is available on the FRTP web page if you wish to inquire about the third-party testing option.
Are you required to wear a helmet & eye protection to ride motorcycles?
Motorcycles: Those 21 years old and older can ride without a helmet if they carry proof of Personal Injury Protection or proof of health insurance, (such as an employee health insurance card.) The coverage amount must be at least $10,000 to pay for treatment of injuries that may result from a crash. Those under 21 years old must wear a Department approved motorcycle helmet without exception. S. 316.211(1)&(2), F.S.
2. Eye Protection: All persons who operate motorcycles (motorcycle = 51cc or more) must wear eye protection.