Florida’s scenic roads and coastline drives are a great place to ride motorcycles year round. But knowing the Florida motorcycle rider requirements and being properly licensed is required by law, and is also one of the first steps of becoming a safe rider. If you wish to operate any two or three wheel motorcycle with an engine size greater than 50 cc, you are required to have a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license or hold a ‘Motorcycle Only’ drivers license. However, no one under 16 years of age may legally operate or be licensed to operate a motorcycle, moped, motor-driven cycles, motorized scooters or electric helper-motor bicycles.
Florida’s Statutes section 322.12(5)(a) covers Florida motorcycle rider requirements. This statute stipulates that “the department shall formulate a separate examination for applicants who wish to obtain a license to operate motorcycles. Any applicant for a driver license who wishes to operate a motorcycle, and who is otherwise qualified, must successfully complete such an examination, which is in addition to the examination administered under subsection (3). The examination must test the applicant’s knowledge of the operation of a motorcycle and of any traffic laws specifically relating thereto, and must include an actual demonstration of his or her ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motorcycle.”
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses for beginner to experienced riders in Florida are provided by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The Florida Rider Training Program, (FRTP) is provided by authorized Sponsors, (course providers). These Florida motorcycle rider requirements cover strategies and techniques on managing the riding environment and avoiding crashes. In addition, the courses offer on-cycle riding sessions in order to practice these street-riding strategies and crash avoidance skills. Learning these skills have proven to be important as crash studies show that rider course graduates have lower injury and fatality rates than untrained riders.
Florida motorcycle rider requirements in obtaining a motorcycle endorsement:
- You must hold at least a valid Class E operator’s drivers license.
- Complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu) motorcycle safety course with an authorized Sponsor.
- After successfully passing the RiderCourse, you must obtain your endorsement within (1) year. If the endorsement has not been obtained during the one (1) year grace period, the course completion card as well as the “PASS” waiver status is considered invalid and a Rider Skills Test (RST) will need to be completed with a FRTP Regional Coordinator before you may obtain the endorsement.
- After you complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu), visit a driver license office or tax collector office that issues driver licenses and provide paperwork that show you successfully completed BRC or BRCu course. Upon providing proper ID and paying the required endorsement fees, your Class E license will be issued with a motorcycle endorsement.
Florida motorcycle rider requirements in obtaining a “Motorcycle Only” drivers license:
- You must be at least 16 years old, and if under 18, hold at least a Learner’s License for one year with no traffic convictions.
- Pass the same knowledge test as for a regular Class E operator’s driver license.
- You must complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu) with an authorized Sponsor
- After completing the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu), visit a driver license office or tax collector office that issues licenses and provide paperwork that show you successfully completed BTC or BRCu course. Upon providing proper ID and paying the required endorsement fees, your “Motorcycle Only” license will be issued.
- The license issued will be restricted to operating “Motorcycles Only.”
If have questions regarding Florida motorcycle rider requirements, or have been ticketed for failing to have proper endorsements for operating a motorcycle in Florida, contact our experienced attorneys in Jacksonville at (904) 358-3300 for a free consultation.
Source: FLHSMV
