Motorcycle riders find riding on the open road captivating. Despite the sense of freedom one may experience while riding a motorcycle, there are risks involved. Did you know that motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in an accident than the driver and passengers of an automobile? According to the NHTSA, they are also five times more likely to sustain injuries.
For their own protection and to reduce the chance of being involved in a motorcycle accident, Vermont has a number of laws that all riders should be aware of. Compliance with these laws will help avoid serious injuries or even death in the event of an accident, as well as traffic violations or assuming liability.
Following is a list of the most important Vermont motorcycle laws that every rider should be aware of. If you have additional questions or have been involved in an accident, you should consult a Vermont motorcycle attorney. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney At Law, is familiar with Vermont's legal system and can provide legal advice regarding your accident. If you have been hurt in a Vermont motorcycle accident, contact us for a free case evaluation today.
Vermont Motorcycle License Requirements
A resident of Vermont who wishes to operate a motorcycle must acquire either a motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. Obtaining a motorcycle license or endorsement begins with obtaining a motorcycle learner's permit in order to start learning how to ride safely.
A Vermont Motorcycle Awareness Program training course approved by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and a written knowledge test are required to obtain a motorcycle learner's permit.
The motorcycle learner's permit authorizes the holder to operate a motorcycle on public roads under certain conditions:
- You may not carry/transport passengers
- You may only operate a motorcycle during daylight hours
- You may not permitted to ride outside of the state of Vermont
You can apply to take the skills test after you have learned how to operate a motorcycle (such as through the Vermont Rider Education Program). You must take the test on a motorcycle that has been lawfully transported to the test site, either by you if you possess a valid motorcycle learner permit, by a licensed motorcycle operator, or by a registered vehicle.
If you fail the skills examination, you must practice for one week before being allowed to retake the test.
Motorcycle Helmet Law in Vermont
Vermont law mandates that anyone operating or riding a motorcycle on a public road or highway must wear a helmet compliant with the standards and regulations issued by the United States Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation mandates that all motorcycle helmets comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218.
Typically, helmets meeting this standard include the following features:
- At least one-inch-thick polystyrene foam lining the interior.
- Rivet-fastened chin straps
- No protrusions extending more than two-tenths of an inch beyond the helmet's surface.
- A manufacturer's label containing the manufacturer's name, the helmet model, the helmet size, the month and year of manufacture, and the materials used in the helmet's construction.
Helmets that comply with FMVSS 218 will have a "DOT" sticker. Helmets may also have stickers of approval from non-profit organizations that evaluate helmet safety, such as Snell or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
If a motorcycle lacks a windshield or windscreen, the rider is required to wear eyeglasses, goggles, or a face shield on their helmet.
Riders of fully enclosed autocycles are exempt from the helmet requirement.
Motorcycle Lane-Splitting Law in Vermont
Lane splitting is not legal in Vermont. This means that a motorbike rider is not permitted to travel between traffic lanes or between parallel lines or rows of automobiles. Additionally, it implies that a motorcycle has a right to use the entire lane of traffic. If it's safe to do so, other cars overtaking a motorcycle must completely change over to the adjacent left lane. Motorcycles must also do the same. However, Vermont law does allow for the sharing of a single traffic lane by two motorbikes.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
Motorcycle insurance is required in the state of Vermont. The minimum coverage limits for motorcycle insurance in Vermont are:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person.
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident.
- $10,000 property damage coverage per accident.
Remember that in the event of a collision with another vehicle, the minimum liability requirements apply. You must get a policy that also includes comprehensive and collision coverage if you require additional protection against things like theft, single-vehicle crashes, and other sorts of damage.
The Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick are Available and Ready to Help You Today
Tragically, motorcycle riders are frequently involved in collisions brought on by negligent drivers. Despite exercising caution and abiding by the law, accidents nevertheless happen to riders.
If you are in a motorcycle accident, you might need assistance filing your claim or have questions. Any questions you may have can be answered by the lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, who are readily available right now. Our attorneys have years of experience protecting the rights of those who have been harmed as a result of another party's negligence, and we will make every attempt to assist you in obtaining the compensation to which you are legally entitled.
Get in touch with us right now for a cost-free consultation. If you or someone you know is hurt in a motorcycle accident, we will examine your case and protect your legal rights.