New rider information, from Endorsement to MSF to lawyers for traffic fines.

[Graves]

NEW LAWS FOR MOTORCYCLE LICENSURE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2008

NEW LAWS FOR MOTORCYCLE LICENSURE TAKE EFFECT JULY 1!
Basic Rider Course Now Required for All Motorcycle Endorsements

Starting July 1 2008, new motorcyclists must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Trainer Program before they can have the motorcycle endorsement added to their license, per Section 322.12(5)(a)., Florida Statutes.

After July 1 of 2008, everyone will have to take the class and pass the test, no matter their age. Future motorcyclists will be able to find a Basic Rider Course sponsor or teacher on our website. Upon successful completion, the sponsor will submit the pass results electronically to the department records. Upon receiving the results, the applicant will be processed for a motorcycle endorsement.

The Department’s Florida Rider Training Program has a wealth of information on motorcycle safety and proper licensure. For more information, check out Florida Rider Training Program website. Also information on where to find approved sponsors who teach the course can be found here.

Please note that anyone driving a motorcycle without an endorsement is violating the law, today.


What if I had completed the tests before July 1, 2008 and did not get the endorsement by that date? Will my waiver from a third party tester be honored?

Yes. As long as the tests have been successfully completed, you can still get the endorsement up to 1 year from the date of the waiver.

What happens if I had a motorcycle permit from a DL office prior to July 1, 2008 but did not complete my tests?

You have to take the Basic Rider Course before securing your endorsement.

What if I have completed the Experienced Rider Course but did not secure my endorsement before July 1, 2008?

You still have to take the Basic Rider Course before you can secure the endorsement and be legal to ride a motorcycle.

What does getting a "Motorcycle Only" driver license involve?

- Be at least 16 years old, and if under 18, hold a Learner's License for one year with no traffic convictions.
- Pass the same knowledge test as for a regular Class E operator's driver license.
- You must complete the basic motorcycle safety course.
- After you complete the course go to a driver license office or tax collector office that issues licenses and inform them that you completed the course. Upon providing proper ID and paying the required endorsements fees your license will be issued with a motorcycle endorsement.

Your license will be restricted to operating "Motorcycles Only

Important Laws to know:

http://www.floridaabate.com/hb137sb802final.pdf -New laws on wheelies and speeding

http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/l...t.asp?state=fl-General Florida laws

Safety Helmet 316.211 Equipment for motorcycle and moped riders.-- - Not required over 21 with a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance

State Funded Rider Ed - Available for all eligible applicants-required under age 21 education

Eye Protection - Required by law

Daytime Use of Headlight - Required by law-modulating headlight permitted

Passenger Seat - Required if carrying a passenger

Passenger Footrest - Required if carrying a passenger

Passenger Age Restriction - None Helmet Speakers No Restrictions

Periodic Safety Inspection - None

Mirror Left(L) Right(R) - One required by law

Turn Signals - Not required.

Muffler - No person shall modify the exhaust system in such a manner that the noise emitted is above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured.
No person shall operate a vehicle with an exhaust system so modified. .

Maximum Sound Level - Maximum allowable A-weighted sound levels based on measurements taken at a distance of 50 feet from center line of travel (Sec. 316.293):
1) Manufactured before 1/1/79--82dBA (35mph or less); 86dBA (over 35mph)
2)Manufactured after 1/1/79--78dBA(35mph or less); 82dBA(over 35mph).

State Insurance Requirements - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW-IT DOES APPLY TO MOTORCYCLES!
Florida's No-Fault, or "PIP Law" does not apply to motorcycles.
HOWEVER, the Financial Responsibility FR Law applies to ALL motor vehicles in Florida, including motorcycles.
Thus the voluntary purchase of motor vehicle liability insurance by an owner, operator or owner/ operator is highly recommended.

Failure to carry property damage and bodily injury liability insurance in case of a crash, DUI conviction or other occurrences outlined in Florida's FR Law, Ch. 324, may result in some or all of the following:
Loss of license/tag and registration, and/or restitution or civil court judgment, and future proof (three years) of high risk, SR22 mandatory liability insurance coverage just to keep your driver license - even if you do not own any motor vehicles.
Source: Florida Motorcycle Handbook 2006

Handlebar Height - No higher than top of shoulders of the operator when seated upon the motorcycle.

Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States - Yes

Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane - Yes. 316.209 - Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.-- (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.

Lane Splitting 316.209 Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic (2) - The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

Local MSF classes:




Motorcycle Safety Organization Links:

Florida Rider Training Program - Florida Rider Training Program Website

Florida Rider Training Program- County by county search for state sponsored MSF classes

American Motorcyclist: The Official Site of the American Motorcyclist Association

National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators -- SMSA

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Training Sites Across the USA (Motorcycle safety through training and knowledge)

NHTSA: People: Injury Prevention: Motorcycle Safety Programs

Home - Snell Memorial Foundation

National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators -- SMSA

National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety

Dirt Biking Article

Military Riders FREE Class
Motorcycle safety course helps Team MacDill develop skills in safe, fun learning environment

"To sign up for the course, motorcyclists should get in touch with their unit's motorcycle safety representative or contact the 6th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office at 828-3385" said Sergeant Linney.

There are two Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses offered to MacDill motorcyclists, he said. The Basic Rider Course , which last two days, not only offers hands on experience, but also classroom training that goes more in depth on riding safety. The Experienced Rider Course, which lasts approximately seven hours, delivers the basics safety guidelines of motorcycle operation. Both of these courses cover riding strategies such as how to handle traffic hazards and works on developing cornering, braking, and swerving

Suggested reading:

Keith Code - Twist of the Wrist

Nick Ienatsch - The Pace

http://www.datacraftsystems.co.uk/te...eft/index.html

Local Trafic Lawyers

Stephen Higgins
813.649.8690
10053 E. Adamo Dr.
Suite #111
Tampa, FL 33619
Counties - Statewide



Rick Silverman
813.871.1125
701 W Azeele St, Tampa, FL 33606
Counties - Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
Specialty - Traffic offenses


Ty Trayner
813.229.1912
602 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Counties - Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas


Ticket Clinic
800.CITATION
800.248.2846
Counties - ALL FLORIDA COUNTIES

Dennis A Lopez
813.222.8989
201 E Kennedy Blvd, Ste 950, Tampa, FL 33602


Kristen Buckstein-Panico
727.536.5008
14055 46th St N # 1104, Clearwater, FL

Jason Melton
352.650.1941

Anthony Cruz
813.368.4221

Ryan Sulte
813.223.4363
501 E Jackson St, Tampa, FL 33602
Specialty - DUI


Steinberg Mark A Esq
904.964.6000
1318 Bessent Rd, Starke, FL 32091-3608
Counties - ALL FLORIDA COUNTIES


Jimmy Thomas
813.258.1288

Ryan Sulte
Sulte Law Firm
813-223-4363

Steinberg Mark A Esq
1318 Bessent Rd
Starke, FL 32091-3608
(904) 964-6000

This is a work in progress. Add suggestions to be added. Especially reading for new riders.

[DRMORTY]

Thanks Graves for the Great Information..

Anyone else,
If you have any information you would like to add to this information thread.
Please PM: DRMORTY or Graves