Georgia motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as other motor vehicle drivers. However, they are subject to some additional laws specific to the risks of riding a motorcycle and being in motorcycle crashes. For example, all riders must wear helmets regardless of age or experience level. A motorcyclist is also required to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windshield.
Additionally, motorcyclists need a Class M license or a Class MP instructional permit to ride legally. Georgia requires motorcycle insurance with minimum coverage limits. Your motorcycle must also meet safety rules, including working lights, brakes, and a horn. Failure to comply with these rules can result in traffic tickets and increase the risk of Georgia motorcycle accidents and severe injuries.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta and believe someone else was at fault, consult with motorcycle crash attorneys who represent injured riders and can offer guidance based on years of experience.
Does Georgia Have a Motorcycle Helmet Law?
Yes, Georgia has a motorcycle helmet law. Ga. Code § 40-6-315 requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-compliant protective headgear. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of traumatic brain injuries in an Atlanta motorcycle crash. Riders must also wear eye protection if the motorcycle does not have a windshield. The law makes a few exceptions to these requirements. The helmet and eye protection rules do not apply to riders inside enclosed cabs or motorized carts.
What Are the License Requirements for Operating a Motorcycle in Georgia?
You need a Class M license or a Class MP instructional permit to ride a motorcycle in Georgia. You must be at least 17 years old to get a Class M license. You must also pass a motorcycle skills test. You have two testing options: you can complete a Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program course, or you can take the written, vision, and skills tests at a DDS Customer Service Center.
You must bring proof of identity, legal presence in the US, residency, and your full Social Security Number to apply for a Class M license in Georgia. Riders under 18 must complete extra steps under Joshua’s Law, such as providing proof of school enrollment and driver education.
If you want to get a Class MP permit, you must be at least 16 and pass a vision test and test of traffic laws. You also must follow restrictions such as not riding at night, with passengers, or on highways.
What Is the Georgia Motorcycle License Course?
The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) offers training for both new and experienced riders. If you pass the Basic Riders Course, you get a 90-day waiver that lets you skip the written and skills tests when you apply for your Class M license at a DDS Customer Service Center.
The course includes classroom time and riding practice. Instructors teach you how to handle a motorcycle, make safe turns, and respond to hazards. You don’t need to own a motorcycle to take the course. GMSP provides one for you.
There is also an Advanced Riders Course for experienced motorcycle riders. This one-day course focuses on improving braking, cornering, and hazard response. You must bring your own street-legal motorcycle and safety gear to take part in the course.
What Are Georgia’s Insurance Requirements for Motorcycle Riders?
Georgia law requires motorcycle riders to maintain motorcycle liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Motorcyclists must have at least $25,000 in coverage for bodily injury to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people. You also need at least $25,000 in property damage coverage. These are the same minimum liability insurance requirements as other drivers in Georgia have.
You must carry proof of insurance every time you ride. If a police officer stops you and you can’t show it, you can face fines or a license suspension. Your motorcycle must be registered with the state, and your insurance must match the information on file. You can choose to buy more coverage, but the law only requires the minimum liability limits.
If you are injured in a motorcycle wreck caused by another driver, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance and seek fair compensation. Motorcycle accidents can cause serious and, in some cases, life-altering injuries.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can review the details of the accident and discuss whether a motorcycle accident lawsuit is necessary to seek compensation for your financial losses and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Talk to a personal injury lawyer if you have physical injuries and questions about pursuing an Atlanta motorcycle accident claim.
What Equipment is Required by Law on a Motorcycle in Georgia?
Motorcycles must have certain types of equipment to be street-legal in Georgia. Under Georgia law, all motorcycles must have:
- Working headlights and taillights at all times, including during daylight hours (Ga. Code § 40-6-313)
- Footrests for any passengers riding on the motorcycle (Ga. Code § 40-6-314)
- Brakes that meet relevant safety standards (Ga. Code § 40-8-25)
- Working brake lights (Ga. Code § 40-8-27)
- Working horns audible from at least 200 feet (Ga. Code § 40-8-29)
- Working mufflers without “cut-outs” or devices that increase noise (Ga. Code § 40-8-70).
What Is Lane-Splitting and Is It Legal in Georgia?
Lane-splitting happens when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles. This practice is illegal under Georgia law.
Under Ga. Code § 40-6-312, you cannot ride a motorcycle between lanes or next to cars in the same lane. You also cannot pass another vehicle within the same lane.
Every motorcycle rider has the right to use a full lane, just like car and truck drivers. Two motorcycle riders can ride side by side in one lane if both riders agree.
If you try to lane-split in Georgia, you put yourself at greater risk of motorcycle accident injuries. Georgia drivers do not expect to see motorcycles moving between lanes, especially in heavy traffic.
What Are the Penalties for Violating Georgia’s Motorcycle Laws?
If you break Georgia’s motorcycle laws, you could face fines, points on your license, or even license suspension. For example, riding without a helmet or eye protection can lead to a traffic ticket and added points on your driving record. Lane-splitting or unsafe passing can result in similar penalties.
If you ride without the proper license or insurance, you could face larger fines and possible jail time. Repeated violations can lead to more serious consequences, including losing your license.
You must also keep your motorcycle registered and insured. If you get caught without proof of either, the state could suspend your registration.
Contact a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a serious motorcycle accident in Georgia caused by other drivers, you may have questions about how to hold the negligent driver accountable. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Talk with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney at Bayuk Pratt.
With over 50 years of combined legal experience and more than $300 million recovered for our clients, our motorcycle injury lawyers know how to handle complicated motorcycle accident cases involving injured motorcyclists and other drivers.
As former defense attorneys, we understand how insurance companies try to shift the blame to motorcycle accident victims to avoid paying claims. When an insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement, our law firm will be prepared to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit and demand just compensation. If you have suffered injuries, don’t try to negotiate with an insurance company without legal representation.
Our law firm is proud to have helped many car accident victims and motorcycle crash victims move forward with their lives. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer.
