What You Need to Know About Getting a Motorcycle License in Missouri
The requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license in Missouri are straightforward, but adherence to the rules set forth by the Missouri Department of Revenue can save you from getting in over your head. To begin, you will need to have had your driver’s license (or permit) for at least three years. If you don’t currently have a driver’s license to build on, you’re in for some extra steps before you can complete the testing for the motorcycle license that you want. You will also need to prove that you are at least 18 years old. A parent or guardian must consent to the license of a minor applicant, or else the minor will not be permitted to take the tests and obtain their license. Specific items are required to prove your identity to the Department of Revenue. A valid, original birth certificate is amongst them. The birth certificate should not be requested online , but rather in person to ensure that it is a valid copy that you are presenting to the officials. The next item to bring along is your Social Security card. While it is possible to get a copy of your Social Security card from Social Security, this item is another document that shouldn’t be requested online. Instead, it is recommended to make your request in person to ensure that you are getting a valid copy. Lastly, you will need proof of current Missouri residency through any of the following methods: When you are ready to take the skills test, be sure to bring your own motorcycle (which you own or borrow) to the testing site. You will be provided with a list of all the necessary motorcycle safety equipment on this list that you will be tested on. This includes the following items: All together, these gear items will help to keep you safe while you learn to ride in Missouri.
Missouri Laws on Motorcycle Helmets and other Safety Gear
In Missouri, the helmet law is optional for riders over the age of 26, provided they have at least two years of riding experience or completion of a motor cycle training course. Additionally, riders must have motorcycle insurance with at least $50,000 in medical coverage. However, the importance of wearing a helmet cannot be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 37 percent and the risk of head injury by 67 percent. Missouri also has a three-foot passing rule for vehicles driving next to motorcycles on the highway, but it is not strictly enforced. Riders should be aware of the importance of wearing appropriate clothing while out on the road: gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes over the ankle, and eye protection are highly recommended.
Motorcycle Traffic Laws You Should Know About
When it comes to specific traffic laws, Missouri treats motorcyclists, more or less, the same as the rest of its motorists, with a couple important exceptions. Like all drivers, motorcyclists must abide by the state’s maximum speed limits, which vary from road to road—usually 70 mph on interstate and U.S. highways and 55 mph on rural, two-lane state highways—and any lower speed limits that might be marked. And as with other vehicles, exceeding these limits constitutes speeding, a common cause of motorcycle wrecks.
Lane splitting, which is often defined as riding between lanes of traffic, is illegal in the Show-Me State. But motorcyclists are still permitted to split lanes when they are stopped at a red light and reasonably believe doing so is safe. However, Missouri law does not specifically set limits on how far motorcyclists can travel within lanes. This means that they are allowed to ride to the far left and right of shifting or doubling up on top of the yellow line separating lanes of the same direction, as long as it is safe to do so.
With regard to passengers, Missouri allows motorcyclists to transport something that can’t be carried in their hands, as long as it’s secured by a strap, rope, or chain. The only exception to this law is allowing someone to hold onto the driver, which is permissible as long as the passenger has both hands free to grasp the motorcycle with both hands and both feet on the footrests. Unless the motorcycle is required to have footrests, such as with mopeds, repeat offenders can be extended imprisonment and larger fines for each offense.
Motorcycle Equipment Standards in Missouri
To ensure optimal safety, Missouri motorcycle laws require a number of equipment standards for all motorcyclists, including lighting requirements, use of mirrors, and exhaust systems. These standards apply to motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, and trikes. The law requires all motorcycles to have mirrors affixed to the handlebar or fairing necessitating the following standards: In addition, all motorcycles must also have at least one illuminated headlight. Any reconstructed motorcycle must match the model year of the components of the motorcycle. The lighting system on any reconstructed motorcycle must meet or exceed 1974 standards with the exception of mirrors and reflectors that meet modern standards. Motorcycles must be equipped with a muffler in good working condition to muffle sound emitted by the exhaust without creating loud or irritating noise , excessive smoke or knowing noxious emission. Because of changes in federal law that effectively prevent local enforcement of equipment laws, all motorcycle operators are recommended to use only equipment that stays within the permitted national noise standards. All motorcycles and other such vehicles must be equipped with reflectors that are visible 600 feet to the rear and on all sides. Decals are not permitted as a substitute for reflectors. A reconstructed motorcycle must be equipped with front and rear turn signal lights that are either colorless or colored amber visible 300 feet to the front and 500 feet to the rear. The lights must be visible in full sunlight and the height from the ground must be no more than 15 inches and no less than 42 in the rear and no less than 24 inches in the front.
What You Need to Know About Insurance for Your Motorcycle
Like all motor vehicle operators in Missouri, motorcyclists are required to secure a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage to operate their vehicles on public roadways. Broadly, the purpose of the mandatory liability insurance law as it pertains to motorcyclists is to protect both the motorcyclist and the public at large.
A motorcycle rider in Missouri is required to carry the following levels of insurance:
• $25,000 in property damage liability protection per accident
• $50,000 in liability coverage per person, per accident
• $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, per accident
The major consequences of not carrying the minimum amount of liability insurance required by Missouri law are:
• Suspension of driving privileges
• Fines – As of 2015, the fine for driving without proper insurance was $300 per year to be collected in full or in a series of monthly installments. (In 2015, the Department of Revenue began sending notices to individuals who had been cited for driving without the required liability coverage, notifying them that their fines were due in full and that interest would be charged on any amount that was paid late. It is this punishment that is often referred to as the ‘no proof of insurance fee for motorcyclists.’)
• Insurance in the amount required by law must be purchased and If purchased, proof of such must be provided as required by the department of revenue.
A motorcyclist who has been injured by another motorcyclist who does not have insurance may file a lawsuit against the offending motorcyclist as well as their insurance company to recover damages.
What Are the Penalties for Violating Motorcycle Laws
Violating Missouri motorcycle laws can lead to a range of penalties that may include fines, points on your driving record, and in some cases, the suspension of your license. Here, we will break down the different penalties for violating motorcycle laws in Missouri.
Fines can vary based on the type of law violated. For example, riding without a helmet—specifically, riding without a State-approved helmet—carries a fine of up to $25. Drunk driving on a motorcycle can result in a fine of up to $1,000 plus additional court costs. However, this is not the only cost associated with drunk driving. You may miss work or have a hard time finding employment because of a drunk driving conviction on your record. A conviction of drunk driving could potentially affect your insurance rates and increase them significantly. It’s also important to keep in mind that drunk driving can result in some serious physical injuries when collisions with other vehicles occur. Point values for motorcycle violations vary based on the law violated, but many violations carry between two and four points .
In addition to fines and points on your record, violations may also result in the suspension of your license. For instance, if you are cited for your third DWI offense, your license could be suspended for up to five years. Suspensions may also affect your ability to gain employment or secure loans. There are some exceptions to the consequences of license suspension, however. If you can show that you need your license to drive to and from school or work for example, the court may lift the suspension. Additionally, even if you’ve had your license suspended, you may eventually be able to get it back, but you will need to go through the appropriate steps through your local Department of Motor Vehicles. This may include paying a reinstatement fee of between $30 and $200.
Motorcyclists in Missouri are subject to a number of rules and regulations that if violated may result in fines, points on your record, and even license suspension. The penalties for violating motorcycle laws are steep, and it’s important to keep them in mind when you are riding your motorcycle.