California state motorcycle laws
| Road |
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| Safety Helmet |
Required by law |
| State Funded Rider Ed |
Available for all eligible applicants - required under age 21 |
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| Eye Protection |
Not Required
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| Daytime Use of Headlight |
Required by law-modulating headlight permitted, required for vehicles manufactured during or after 1978 |
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| Passenger Seat |
Required if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger Footrest |
Required if carrying a passenger |
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| Passenger Age Restriction |
None |
| Helmet Speakers |
Single earphone only |
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| Periodic Safety Inspection |
Required by law - random |
| Mirror Left(L) Right(R) |
One required by law
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| Radar Detector |
No Restriction
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| Turn Signals |
Required by law |
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| Muffler |
Muffler required. No muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device (27150. Adequate Muffler Required).
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| Maximum Sound Level |
Maximum allowable A-weighted sound levels based on measurements taken at a distance of 50 ft from center lane of travel:1)Pre-1970..92dba; 2) After 1969, and before 1973...88dba; 3) After 1972, and before 1975...86dba; 4) After 1974, and before 1986...83dba;
5) After 1985...80dba (27201-27202. Motorcycle Limits).
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| State Insurance Requirements |
Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(15/30/5) - Financial responsibility requried. A driver involved in an accident who fails to prove existence of financial responsibility at time of accident shall have driver's license suspended for 1 year. |
| Handlebar Height |
A person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.
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| Earplugs |
No Restriction. |
| Rider-Education Waiver |
Skill Test
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| Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States |
Yes |
| Accept RiderEd Completion Card From Other States |
No |
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| Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane |
Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes |
| Lane Splitting |
Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes |
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| Lemon Law Coverage |
Yes; California Civil Code 1793.22(9)(e)(2) |
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| Off Road
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| Safety Helmet |
Required by law for ATV's only - Not enforced for Off-Road motorcycles unless riding on State or Federal Land - (each agency has the flexibility to enforce or not enforce the helmet law on their land.
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| Eye Protection |
Not Required |
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| Minimum Operator Age |
Operator must be able to reach all controls. Safety Certificate required under age 18 for ATV's only. |
| Rider Education Certification |
Required for ATV riders under age 16. |
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| Operator License |
Not Required |
| Headlight |
Required after sunset |
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| Taillight |
Required after sunset |
| Muffler |
Required by law
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| Maximum Sound Level |
96dB for all motorcycles manufactured on or after January 1, 1986. 98dB
allowed for machines manufactured prior to January 1, 1986.
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| Spark Arrestor |
Required by law
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| Registration |
Required by law
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| Vehicle Title |
Not Required |
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| Trails Program |
Available |
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