With spring on the horizon, some of you may be finding yourselves thinking about getting a motorcycle license. After all, motorcycles offer great fuel economy, easy parking, and a unique driving experience.
For most people, your motorcycle journey will begin with some rider safety and operation courses. Knowing how to safely operate a motorcycle and the unique laws that may apply to you are important.
Operating a motorcycle in most states will require you to have a driver’s license and some will require a motorcycle permit. This permit will involve you passing an exam for motorcycle operation and a riders skill test. For those under the age of 18, you’ll also likely need your parents consent.
To find a class, you can search for your local DMV on the web and look there for motorcycle safety courses. Most states have adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum. The classes will take around 15 hours to complete and at the end you will possibly find an insurance carrier who will give you a discount for completing the course.
Other common questions regarding operation of a motorcycle include:
Am I required to have insurance? Not all states require motorcycle operators have insurance. It is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to not only protect yourself financially, but also to provide insurance protection to those you may injure while operating a motorcycle.
Do I have to wear a helmet? Many states do not require helmets for all riders, however some are also age dependent. To find out which states have motorcycle helmet laws, visit the iihs.org website.
My motorcycle doesn’t go very fast, do I still need a permit? If a motorcycle’s speedometer is listed as less than 60 MPH then it is possibly that you do not need a motorcycle permit to operate this. Check with your local Department of Licensing to find out more.
Having motorcycle insurance is recommended. Typically the cost of a motorcycle insurance policy isn’t as expensive as an automobile policy. There are many factors that determine the cost of motorcycle insurance: where you live, your driving record, your age and marital status, what type of motorcycle you own, whether you own a home, even your credit score can all have an impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask a licensed agent in our office to provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.
Get Your Motorcycle Insurance Quote Today
Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your Motorcycle Insurance. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.