California motorcycle law can be a little confusing. We answer nine of the most common questions we get. Take the quiz and see how well you do!
California law is clear: all drivers and passengers of motorcycles must wear a helmet which complies with Federal Safety Standards. California Vehicle Code sections 27802 and 27803.
The specifications set forth in the Federal Safety Standards include, but are not limited to: thick inner liner, riveted chinstraps and a total weight of at least 3 pounds.
Lane splitting (riding a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic) is legal in California. California is one of the only states which allows lane splitting. Although lane splitting is considered dangerous, California law leaves this decision up to the motorcyclist. The California Highway Patrol warns about the dangers of lane splitting and provides specific lane splitting safety tips.
California Vehicle Code section 27800 requires that all passengers must have a seat securely fastened to the machine at the rear of the driver, and that each seat be equipped with footrests. Every passenger on the motorcycle is required to keep their feet on the footrests while the vehicle is in motion. Motorcycles are permitted to have an attached sidecar for the purpose of carrying a passenger.
California Vehicle Code section 26709 requires that every motorcycle must have a mirror located so that the driver can view the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
California Vehicle Code section 27801 specifically limits the height of motorcycle handlebars to no more than six inches above the driver’s shoulders when securely seated. In other words, ape hangers cannot be more than six inches above the driver’s shoulders when the driver is seated on the motorcycle.
California Vehicle Code sections 25650-25651 require that all motorcycles must ride with their headlights on at all times unless the bike was manufactured prior to 1978.
California Vehicle Code section 27202 limits the noise level of motorcycles to 80 decibels for motorcycles manufactured after 1985. After-market exhaust modifications are not necessarily illegal, but they cannot result in a noise level higher than those specified in California Vehicle Code sections 27202-27206.
You must have a Class M1 license (or learner’s permit) to operate a motorcycle in California. To receive an M1 license, you must be at lease 16 years old, complete a driver’s education and training course, and pass a motorcycle skills test. The California DMV provides step-by-step guidelines for obtaining a motorcycle license.
Yes, all motorcycles are required to have properly working front and rear turn signals. 13 California Code of Regulations section 699. However, motorcycles built and first registered prior to 1973 are exempt from this requirement. Motorcycles built after 1973 typically come equipped with California-compliant turn signals, but some custom bikes may not.
Here’s a list of our sources. And if you still have some unanswered questions or wish to discuss your motorcycle accident case, please contact our office.
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code, Article 7 (sections 27800-27803)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT HS 807 880, “How to Identify Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets”
California Highway Patrol, California Motorcyclist Safety
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code section 27800
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code section 26709
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code section 27801
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code section 25650-25651:
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code,sections 27202
California Legislative Information, California Vehicle Code, Article 2.5 (sections 27200-27207)
California Department of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycle Handbook, License Requirements
California Department of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycle Licenses
Westlaw/Thomson Reuters, 13 California Code of Regulations section 699
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