Motorcycle Laws in Florida

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Florida Motorcycle 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 earphones allowed. Helmet speakers are allowed.
Periodic Safety Inspection	None
Mirror Left(L) Right(R)	One required by law
Radar Detector	No Restriction
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.
Rider-Education Waiver	Skill & Knowledge Test
Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States	Yes
Accept RiderEd Completion Card From Other States	N/A
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.
Lemon Law Coverage	No.
License Plates	Must be affixed horizontally - No vertical placement 316.2085
Speeding	More than 50 mph Over posted speed limit results in $1000 fine 316.1926
Stunt Riding	A person shall ride upon a motorcycle or moped only while sitting astride the seat, with both wheels on the ground at all times, facing forward, and with one leg on each side of the motorcycle or moped. However, it is not a violation of this subsection if the wheels of a motorcycle or moped lose contact with the ground briefly due to the condition of the road surface or other circumstances beyond the control of the operator. 316.2085