Motorcycle Manual Table of Contents:
MOTORCYCLE LICENSES, OWNERSHIP, SPECIAL RULES | PREPARING TO RIDE | RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES I BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE | EARNING YOUR LICENSE | MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM | OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR-DRIVEN POWER CYCLES IN LOUISIANA DEFINITIONS "Driver" means every person who drives or is physical control of a vehicle. "Motor vehicle" means and includes automobiles, trucks ... and motorcycles. "Power cycle" means every motor vehicle propelled by an engine developing not more than five (5) brake horsepower designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels, at a speed under 35 m.p.h., and equipped with brakes adequate to stop such a vehicle upon a reasonably clean, dry, level surface within 45 feet from the spot where the brakes were first applied when the vehicle is traveling at 20 m.p.h. "Motor-driven cycle" means every motor scooter with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) horsepower, and every bicycle with a motor attached thereto. "Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOUISIANA MOTORCYCLIST 1. You must wear an approved safety helmet. 2. You must wear approved eye protective devices. 3. You must have your cycle inspected yearly. 4. You must comply with all traffic safety regulations the same as any other vehicle. 5. You must carry your basic operator's license with your motorcycle endorsement on your person when driving. 6. You must maintain proof of current liability insurance or other approved security in the motorcycle at all times. Although operators of motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and power cycles are governed by the same laws which govern other motor vehicle operators, specific laws have been set down for the operation of these vehicles. For your information, The Department of Education lists the requirements made of the operators of motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and power cycles as listed in Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Vital information from these statutes are listed below. R.S. 32:52 Driver Must Be Licensed No person shall drive or operate any vehicle upon a highway within this state unless and until he has been issued a license to so do as required by the laws of this state nor shall any person permit or allow any other person to drive or operate any vehicle owned or controlled by him upon highways of state unless and until such other person has been issued a license to so do as required by the laws of this state. R.S. Safety Helmets As of August 2004, all riders are required to wear D.O.T. approved helmets. R.S. 32:190.1 Eye Protection Devices to Be Worn By Motorcyclist No person shall operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless said person is wearing an eye protective device of a type approved for such use by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections except when the motorcycle or motor-driven cycle is equipped with a windshield meeting the requirements of R.S. 32:358. The secretary shall approve only goggles, face shields, or safety glasses which will meet performance specifications established by him. Eye protective devices used at night shall not be tinted. R.S. 32:191 Riding On Motorcycles A. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only on the permanent and regular seat attatched thereto. Such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motrcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat firmly attatched to the rear or side of the motorcycle. B. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with not more than one leg on each side of the motorcycle. C. No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars. D. No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator. R.S. 32:191.1 Operating Motorcycles on Roadways Laned for Traffic A. All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full usae of the lane. This Subsection shall not apply to motorcyclesoperated two abreat in a single lane. B. The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. C. No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. D. Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. R.S. 32:191.2 Clinging to Other Vehicles No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself or the motorcycle to any other vehicle (or streetcar) on a roadway. R.S. 32:191.3 Footrests and Handlebars A. Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrestsfor such passenger. B. No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars more than fifteen (15) inches in height above theportion of the seat occupied by the operator. R.S. 32:192 Riding on Motor-Driven Cycles Not more than one person shall be allowed to ride upon a motor-driven cycle. R.S. 32:285 Coasting Prohibited The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a downgrade shall not coast with the gears of such vehicle in neutral or with the clutch disengaged. LAMPS AND OTHER LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
R.S. 32:301 When Lighted Lamps are Required
Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time between sunset and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles.
R.S. 32:303 Head Lamps on Motorcycles and Motor-Driven Cycles
Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlamps. Every head lamp upon every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall be located at a height, measured from the center of the headlamp, of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches.
R.S. 32:304 Tail Lamps
A. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 1000 feet to the rear.
B. Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches from the level ground upon which the vehicle sits.
C. Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be placed so as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear.
R.S. Vehicles to be Equipped with Reflectors
Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall carry at least one reflector, meeting the requirements of this section, and every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 20 inches nor more than 60 inches.
R.S. 32:306 Stop Lamps and Turn Signals
Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle manufactured or assembled after December 31, 1962, shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp meeting the departmental requirements.
Electrical turn signals are required on 1973 and later model motorcycles. Electrical turn signals on models of 1972 and older cycles are not compulsory, with the use of proper hand signals fulfilling the requirement.
R.S. 32:324 Lighting Equipment on Motor-Driven Cycles
The head lamp or head lamps upon every motor-driven cycle may be of the single-beam or multiple-beam type but in either event shall comply with the requirements and limitations as follows:
(1) Every said head lamp or head lamps on a motor-driven cycle shall be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than 100 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at any speed less than 25 miles per hour, and at a distance of not less than 200 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 25 miles or more per hour, and a distance of not less than 300 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 35 or more miles per hour.
(2) In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a multiple-beam head lamp or head lamps the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements and shall not exceed the limitations set forth, and the lower-most beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of light.
(3) In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a single-beam lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high-intensity portion of light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
R.S. 32:341 Equipment Equiptment Required
Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a highway of this state, shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.
R.S. 32:342 Performance Ability of Brakes
The Secretary of Department of Public Safety and Corrections is authorized to require an inspection of the brake on any motor-driven cycle and to disapprove any such brake which he finds will not comply with the performance ability standard set forth, or which in his opinion is not so designed or constructed as too ensure reasonable and reliable performance in actual use. OTHER EQUIPMENT
R.S. 32:351 Horns and Warning Devices
Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway of this state shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
R.S. 32:352 Mufflers
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
R.S. 32:354 Mirrors
Every motor vehicle, motorcycle, and motor-driven cycle manufactured after December 31, 1972, of a type subject to registration in this state shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the drivers view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
R.S. 32:358 Motorcycle Windshields
On motorcycles, the glazing material used as a windshield shall be of either approved safety glass or clear plastic which need be of an approved type.
R.S. 32:363 Fuel Tank Caps
No motor vehicle shall be driven or moved upon any highway of this state if the filling spout for the fuel tank is closed or partially closed with a plug of wood, rags, or other combustible materials.
MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR-BIKES, AND MOTOR SCOOTERS
R.S. 32:408
These vehicles shall not be given a separate "class", as such, but their use shall be provided for by making an endorsement on one of the basic classes of "A", "B", "C", "D", or "E". Such an endorsement shall be made only after the applicant has taken and successfully passed tests specifically designed for the operation of such vehicles.
Each examination for a motorcycle endorsement shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight, his ability to understand signs regulating signsregulating, warning, and directing traffic, his knowledge of traffic regulations of this state and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of that particular type of motorcycle for which the applicant is applying for a license to operate.
None of the five classes of licenses, Classes A, B, C, D, or E, permits the operation of motorcycles, motorbikes, and motor scooters without the endorsement to the basic license.
R.S. 32:412 Amount of Fees
The addition of a motorcycle or motor scooter endorsement to a basic license will require, besides the specific examination for such vehicles, the payment of an additional fee of $8.00. If the motorcycle endorsement is to any license which is valid for less than four years, the fee for the endorsement will be four dollars.
R.S. 32:414 Suspension, Revocation, Cancellation of Licenses
A. (1) The department shall suspend the license of any person for 90 days upon the conviction of first offense DWI, or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of narcotic drugs. (2) The department shall suspend the license of any person for 30 days upon first conviction for passing a stopped school bus which is loading or unloading children.
B. The department shall revoke the license of any person for 12 months upon conviction coviction of: (1) manslaughter or negligent homicide while operating a motor vehicle, (2) second or subsequent offense of DWI, or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of narcotic drugs, (3) using a motor vehicle in committing a felony, (4) three reckless driving charges in one year, (5) or has by any reason of reckless driving endangered life, limb, or property, or caused loss of life or injury to a person.
R.S. 32:416.1 Unlawful Operation of Persons Less Than Seventeen Years of Age
It shall be unlawful for any person who is less than seventeen years of age to drive a motor vehicle or a power cycle upon any highway, street, public road or public thoroughfare at any time between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. except when accompanied by a parent, tutor, or any other person twenty-one years of age or older, having custody of the minor. TESTS FOR SUSPECTED DRUNKEN DRIVERS
R.S. 32:661 Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages and Implied Consent to Chemical Tests
Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state shall be deemed to have given consent to a chemical test or tests of his blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substance for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of his blood if arrested for any offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while believed to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any abused or illegal controlled dangerous substance.
R.S. 32:667 Seizure of License; Circumstances; Temporary License
If a person under arrest refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to a chemical test... none shall be given. In all such cases the law enforcement officer shall seize the driver's license and issue a temporary receipt for thirty (30) days. The Department will suspend the license of said person for a period of six (6) months. If a person submits to an alcohol test and the test result show a blood alcohol level of .10 percent or above by weight of alcohol in the blood, the driver's license shall be suspended for ninety (90) days.
SECURITY FOLLOWING ACCIDENT
R.S. 32:871 Report Required Following Accident
The operator of every motor vehicle which is in any manner involved in an accident within this state, in which any person is killed or injured or in which damage to the property of any one person, including himself, in excess of five hundred dollars is sustained, shall within ten days after such accident report the matter in writing (on Accident Report Form SR-10) to the Office of Motor Vehicles, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. If such operator is physically incapable of making such report, the owner of the motor vehicle involved in such accident shall, withing ten days after learning of the accident, make such report. A FEW MORE SUGGESTIONS.... A sure way to avoid injury is to prevent a spill or accident from happening in the first place. This is a first level of protection known as accident prevention. You can decrease your chances of becoming involved in an accident by enrolling in a motorcycle operator training course and getting properly licensed to operate a motorcycle. A second level of protection applies when a spill or accident does occur. Here, the emphasis is on minimizing injury. Injury reduction measures include the use of protective clothing and equipment. Protection for the head, eyes, and limbs is provided by a helmet, face shield, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, and durable clothing that leaves minimum skin area exposed. Choosing and consistently using a quality helmet, therefore, is of obvious importance. This applies to all motorcycle operators and passengers. Safety helmet protection can be divided into separate but related functions. First, the shell must provide protection from penetration and abrasion, as well as distributing impact farces over as large an area as possible. Second, it must provide shock absorbing qualities. This function is performed by the non-resilient, fairly hard, inner liner. Millions of helmets are manufactured and sold, but not all meet existing standards. Know what you are buying. There are many types and styles of helmets available, and prices vary widely. Whatever style you choose, select the one that offers the most protection - which may not be the best looking or even the most expensive. You should wear a helmet that meets or exceeds the safety standards accepted by the State of Louisiana. Several of the recommended standards are as follows: 1) Snell Memorial Foundation 2) ANSIZ90.1 and 3)DOT. For both comfort and protection, your helmet should fit snugly, but not too tightly. Avoid the helmet that fits loosely. Remember to fasten the chin strap securely - a loose helmet offer little protection and can come off in an accident. You should also wear eye protective devices that meet of exceed the safety standards accepted by the State of Louisiana. Two such recommended standards include the ANSIZ87.1 or VESC-8 standards for face shields. These shields have been tested for impact resistance and penetration resistance. When purchasing a face shield, look for the ANSIZ87.1 or VESC-8 standard on the top of the shield. The VESC-8 standard is also used in the grading of goggles. It is recommended that you purchase goggles carrying this standard.
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