State Motorcycle Laws
According to state statistics, more than half of all crashes occur on motorcycles ridden by riders with less than six months experience. New motorcycle riders are more likely to crash and less likely to know Washington’s motorcycle laws. Here are a few of the important points to help you become a safe rider.
Washington State Motorcycle Laws Summary
Under Washington State motorcycle laws, all riders must:
- Wear a DOT approved helmet in good repair
- State-funded rider education for all riders under the age of 18
- Turn on headlights
- Have a passenger seat and footrest if carrying a passenger
- Prohibits passengers under the age of 5
- Have one useable mirror
- Handlebar height of a maximum of 30” above the seat
- Have working turn signals
- Class C, M1 or M2 license, as applicable, or a valid learner’s permit
Protective eye wear and clothing are recommended, but not required by law.
Drugs and Alcohol
In addition to prohibiting operating a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or street drugs, the Washington DMV also prohibits passengers from riding after using these substances. Alcohol and street drugs can impair you ability to physically balance the motorcycle and can lead to unstable riding conditions for both the passenger and the operator.
Safe Driving
The State Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that all riders become familiar with their bike and the terrain to be traveled if possible. Stay aware of your surroundings and employ defensive driving techniques at all times to help avoid a motorcycle accident.
When riding with a group of bikers, you should employ a staggered position on the road for maximum safety. Never ride side by side with a motorcycle and leave adequate clearance between bikes to allow for proper reaction time should a problem occur.
Three-Wheeled Motorcycles and Side Cars
If you wish to operate a three-wheeled motorcycle or a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar in the state of Washington, you will need a special certification for this type of vehicle on your driver’s license before you can legally operate these types of vehicles.
In Washington, you must pass a written and driving test regarding three-wheeled motorcycles before your certification will be validated. If you do not have a three-wheeled motorcycle available to you, but still want to acquire a license to operate such a vehicle, the DMV will provide one for you to use during your test.
For more information about Washington State’s motorcycle laws, please refer to the Washington State motorcycle guidelines handbook. You can get your own copy of Washington’s State motorcycle guidelines by visiting: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motomanual.pdf.
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