Click here to fight your California traffic ticket.
Every motorcyclist can agree on two things. First, the thrill of letting loose on an open road alongside breathtaking scenery is to die for. Second, the sheer weight of California’s motorcycle laws and ticket prices can really break your back.
There are thousands of lines of text in the California Vehicle Code (CVC), covering just about everything from bicycling on sidewalks to vehicular homicide. If it has to do with a vehicle, it’s on the books.
California Motorcycle License Requirements
There are two kinds of motorcycle licenses in California: Class M1 and Class M2. Class M1 licenses are more comprehensive than Class M2 licenses, with the former allowing you to drive a longer list of two-wheeled vehicles.
In order to drive a motorcycle, you must have a Class M1 driver license. Class M2 driver licenses only cover motorized bicycles, mopeds, and motorized scooters. Only Class M1 licenses allow you to drive any other kind of two-wheeled, motorized vehicle. Class M1 licenses also allow you to drive all vehicles that require a Class M2 driver license to operate.
To qualify for a Class M1 or Class M2 driver license, see the following table. Note that the requirements vary depending on your age:
| Requirement | 15.5 to 17 Years Old | 18 to 20 Years Old | 21 Years of Age or Older |
| Driver education andbehind-the-wheel driver training certificates of completion | Yes | No | No |
| Certificates of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL44 or DL44C) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL44 or DL44C) | Yes | No | No |
| Parent(s) or guardian(s) signature (if a minor) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass a vision exam | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint(s) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pay required fees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Have your photograph taken | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass the applicable knowledge and skills tests | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Have an instruction permit for at least 6 months | Yes | Yes | No |
To apply for a Class M1 or M2 driver license, head down to any DMV office. Here’s a list of DMV locations in California. You will then have to pass a knowledge test on road signs, motorcycle usage, and other topics related to the California Driver Handbook.
California Motorcycle Registration Process
It’s common for dealerships to handle the registration process for you when buying a new motorcycle, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it always happens. And when you’re not buying from a dealership, there’s a high chance that you’ll have to register the vehicle on your own. Either way, here’s how:
Start by gathering the following documents:
- A completed Application for Title and Registration.
- Your motorcycle’s current Title and registration information, if any.
- Proof of insurance.
- Proof of or cash for paying the necessary registration fees.
Next, take those documents to the DMV. It could be helpful to take proof of address as well.
Once your documents have been approved and your fees have been paid, you’ll receive your motorcycle’s registration certificate, plates, and stickers.
California Motorcycle Laws for the Road
The dream is to be able to ride your bike without a care in the world. Unfortunately, there are countless laws that prevent that from happening. Of course, you don’t have to memorize every one of the thousands of laws on the books just to be able to ride in peace. Focusing on a few of the most common laws will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy the ride.
Three of the most common questions we get are about lane splitting, helmet laws, and carrying passengers on the back of a motorcycle in California.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is the act of splitting lanes. More specifically, this is when you drive your motorcycle on or near the painted lines that divide two lanes headed in the same direction. Due to the fact that lane splitting involves straddling the paint, it has also been referred to as “white-lining” or “stripe-riding.”
California is one of the only states in the country where lane splitting is legal. It’s been that way since 2016 when a law was passed in an effort to reduce congestion on California’s fabled traffic-clogged freeways.
Although lane splitting is legal, it still comes with restrictions. When lane splitting, you must travel at a slow speed and only when conditions are safe to do so.
Helmet Laws
California has some of the most restrictive helmet laws in the country. California Vehicle Code Section 27803 requires you to wear a Department-of-Transportation-approved helmet when on any motorized, two-wheeled vehicle. That means motorcycles, scooters, and even motor-driven bicycles.
And the driver isn’t the only one who has to wear a helmet. Passengers do, too.
What sets California apart from most of the rest of the country, however, is its mutual accountability aspect of the law. If the driver isn’t wearing a helmet, the passenger can still get a helmet ticket. And if the passenger isn’t wearing a helmet, the driver can get a ticket.
Carrying Passengers
Passengers are allowed to ride on the back of a motorcycle provided they adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the California Vehicle Code. That includes the helmet laws we mentioned in the previous section.
There is no age requirement to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle in California. Regardless of age, you may ride on the back of a motorcycle as long as you wear a helmet and are securely fastened.
All motorcycle passengers must be securely fastened to the motorcycle at all times. The motorcycle must also be equipped with footrests for use by passengers and the passenger must use those footrests whenever the vehicle is in motion.
Laws Against Racing Motorcycles in California
California’s street racing laws apply to motorcycles just the same as they apply to other motor vehicles. If you’re caught illegally racing motorcycles, you can be charged with engaging in a “speed contest” (CVC 23109(a)). But what’s the difference between a speed contest and speeding?
For a street racing charge to stick in California, all of the following four statements must be true:
- You were an active participant in a motor vehicle race.
- Said race was on a highway.
- You engaged in the race of your own volition.
- You were intending to beat either a competitor or a clock.
If all four of the above statements are true and you are convicted of street racing on a motorcycle in California, you could be facing steep fines ranging from fees to jail time.
Fines
The fine for street racing on a motorcycle in California varies depending on the nature of the violation and the disposition of the judge. If you have an otherwise squeaky clean driving record, you will have a better chance of getting the minimum fine. If you are a repeat offender, your fine is likely to be significantly higher, sometimes double or triple the minimum.
For a first-time conviction, you will be facing a fine of between $355 and $1,000. If you are convicted another time, you can expect to pay no less than $500. The same goes for if somebody were injured as a result of the speed contest.
If somebody suffers “serious bodily injury” as a result of the street race, the fine goes up to $10,000.
Points
Like most states, California uses a driver license point system to keep an eye on habitual offenders. Each ticket is worth up to two points. Many violations, such as equipment violations, are worth zero points. Minor violations are worth one point. And major violations are worth two points.
In the state of California, street racing a motorcycle is a major violation and therefore is worth two points. Get four or more points on your license within a 12-month period and you can have your license suspended or even revoked.
License Suspension
If you are convicted of street racing in California, your license will be suspended for no less than three months. Depending on the nature of your case, your license can be suspended for as long as six months.
Insurance Increases
Just about every kind of moving violation can lead to an increase in your insurance premiums. According to the Zebra, the average street racing conviction leads to an insurance increase of 73.7%.
To find out exactly how much your new car insurance cost will be, multiply your current annual payment by 1.737. For example, if you’re paying the average for car insurance in California ($1,815), then a street racing conviction can lead to you paying $3,152.66 for car insurance each year.
In reality, your insurer will quite likely drop you instead of raising your insurance premiums.
Vehicle Impoundment
California police officers have been known to confiscate vehicles that have been totaled as a result of a street race gone wrong. But it’s also possible for the state to impound your vehicle for up to 30 days regardless of whether it sustained any damage during the race.
If you are convicted of street racing a motorcycle in California, the government has the ability to impound it for up to one month before having to release it back to you. You may be held liable for the cost of this impoundment.
Community Service
A first-time conviction for street racing in California can result in the court ordering you to complete up to 40 hours of community service.
Jail Time
Street racing motorcycles is a misdemeanor in California, which means that a conviction comes with the possibility of jail time.
For a first-time violation, you can go to jail for anywhere between 1 and 90 days. For another conviction, that time increases to between 4 and 180 days. If somebody is injured as a result of the race, you can go to jail for between one and six months. If somebody suffered a “serious bodily injury” as a result of the race, then you’re looking at up to three years in prison.
California Motorcycle Safety Inspection Requirements
California state law requires that all motor vehicles undergo routine inspections once every two years. Failure to get your motorcycle inspected can make it impossible to renew your registration. It can also get you smacked with a hefty fine.
Fluid Levels
The first thing the government requires your inspector to inspect is the motorcycle’s fluid levels. If your motorcycle’s equipment isn’t properly regulating the flow of fluids throughout the vehicle, you may fail your inspection.
Leaks
Whether it’s brake fluid, fuel, or coolant, leaks are not allowed. Fortunately, most mechanics who conduct inspections are willing to repair any leaks they find during the inspection. Unfortunately, it can cost quite a bit to take a motorcycle from broken down to road worthy.
Mechanical Integrity
Speaking of broken down motorcycles, the inspector will check to ensure that the non-fluid components of the vehicle are also in good working order. That includes everything from the handlebars to the rear wheel and back again. If something’s broken in a way that impacts the driver’s ability to drive safely, you might fail the inspection.
Carbon Emissions
Motorcycles are exempt from carbon emissions inspection standards in California.
California Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
Motorcycle insurance in California is separate from and must be purchased in addition to normal motor vehicle insurance. The minimum benefits that a motorcycle insurance plan must have are as follows:
- $15,000 for bodily injuries caused by another person.
- $30,000 for bodily injuries caused by an accident.
- $5,000 for property damage caused by an accident.
Remember, these are only the minimum requirements. It is both legal and wise to pay for better insurance if you can afford to do so.
Items That Every California Motorcycle Rider Should Have
Whether you’re tied down on the 101 or enjoying the sea breeze while driving up the coast, there are a few things you’re going to wish you had. Here’s a list of must-have items that every motorcyclist in California needs:
- A tool kit for any emergency repairs.
- A water bottle or two. It is the desert, after all.
- A flashlight. Last thing you need is to be left in the dark.
- Earplugs. Even with a muffler, those babies can scream.
- A bluetooth headset for communication.
What to Do If You Get a Ticket on Your Motorcycle
If you get a ticket on your motorcycle and it’s not a criminal violation, download the WinIt app and talk to a lawyer. WinIt is a smartphone app that gives you access to high-quality, expert legal assistance at the tip of your fingers. Fight your ticket, take your case to court, and win it with WinIt.
