People who ride motorcycles on Houston’s public roads must follow Texas law’s licensing requirements. Houston motorcycle licensing requirements ensure that riders have the knowledge and skill to operate a motorcycle safely. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand the rules for riders.
In Texas, a person who wants to operate a motorcycle on public roads must obtain a Class M license or a Class M endorsement on their Texas driver’s license. Applicants in Houston for a Class M license must meet all the requirements for a regular driver’s license and other requirements for operating a motorcycle. People new to riding motorcycles can also apply for a motorcycle learner’s license, which allows them to learn how to ride under supervision.
Some motorcycle licenses have restrictions for safety purposes. For example, riders who obtain a motorcycle learner’s license must have a person age 21 or older with a valid motorcycle license watching while the rider practices. Riders who apply for a license at 15 will have a restriction that prohibits them from riding a motorcycle with an engine larger than 250 cc.
To obtain a motorcycle license in Houston, applicants must complete a motorcycle safety course and submit their certificate of completion with their application. Completion certificates remain valid for 24 months, after which an applicant must retake the motorcycle safety course.
Minors enrolling in a motorcycle safety course must have a Class C learner’s license and complete the classroom phase of their driver’s education course. However, applicants 18 and older with a valid motorcycle license from another state can waive the motorcycle safety course requirement.
Applicants must also pass a vision test and a motorcycle knowledge test, although applicants with a motorcycle safety course completion certificate can skip the knowledge test.
Motorcycle license applicants may have to take a motorcycle driving test as well. Applicants for motorcycle learner licenses do not have to take the driving test to obtain a learner license. Applicants 18 and older can skip the driving test requirement if they have a valid, unrestricted Texas driver’s license and have completed a motorcycle safety course or have a valid, unrestricted motorcycle license from another state or Canadian province.
The cost of obtaining a Texas motorcycle license depends on the type of license applied for. License fees include:
In Texas, a motorcyclist without a valid license who gets pulled over by the police may receive a citation with a fine of up to $200. However, subsequent offenses may result in a misdemeanor charge that carries the possibility of jail time.
Riding a motorcycle after a valid motorcycle license’s suspension, revocation, or lapse carries harsher penalties. A first-time offense carries a fine of up to $500, with second and subsequent offenses imposing up to $2,000 in fines and potential jail time.
Causing a motorcycle accident resulting in injuries without insurance has even more severe penalties, including up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail. In addition, the court may suspend a rider’s driving privileges.
A rider in Houston who is pulled over and does not have their license with them but has a valid motorcycle license can avoid a conviction and fines by appearing in court with a valid license. However, they may have to pay a court dismissal fee.
Because Texas requires all motorists, including motorcycle riders, to have proof of financial responsibility for any accident they cause, motorcycle riders must obtain the same insurance coverage as drivers. The minimum liability insurance requirement for motorcycles includes:
A Texas motorcycle license applicant can take a motorcycle safety course focusing on three-wheeled motorcycles rather than standard two-wheeled ones. Under Texas law, applicants who present a completion certificate for a three-wheeled motorcycle safety course will receive a motorcycle license or endorsement that includes a restriction limiting the license holder to operating three-wheeled motorcycles.
If you’re involved in an accident while riding your motorcycle in Houston, you can take the following steps:
Under Texas’s statute of limitations, you typically have two years from the date of a motorcycle crash to file a lawsuit. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline, you risk having your case dismissed by the trial court. You should contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the collision to protect your rights to compensation.
After suffering an accident on your motorcycle due to another motorist’s negligence, get experienced legal help to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Contact Fleming Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer about Houston motorcycle licensing requirements and learn more about how we can help you pursue justice.
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