California Motorbike Laws Summarised
California has a framework of laws and regulations aimed at keeping riders safe while also providing consequences for those who violate the law. These laws address everything from driver licensing and vehicle registration to motorcycle gear and testing standards.
California law requires motorcyclists to hold a valid motorcycle license or endorsement. This license or endorsement certifies that the motorist has passed an written exam, a road knowledge test, and a vision test. Motorists must hold a class MC license for motorcycles weighing under 150cc, or a class M1 license for those weighing more than 150cc (more information on specific classifications is available through the DMV) .
Motorcycles must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Typically, new motorcycles are registered at the time of purchase. In the case of a used motorcycle, its owner must apply for registration, which is available online.
The DMV also regulates emissions systems on motorcycles. All motorcycles manufactured after 1975 are required to have a working emissions system that is capable of reducing pollutants found in exhaust. The DMV keeps a record of motorcycles that have passed emissions tests and tracks all regulatory tasks related to emissions system testing. Off-road motorcycles and scooters weighing less than 50 pounds are exempt from emissions tests.
Motorcycle Equipment Rules
Motorcycles must conform to several equipment standards in order to be legal on California highways. The requirements are not onerous and in many cases are usually met by simply equipping the motorcycle with OEM parts that were put on the bike at the time it was built.
Firstly, all motorcycles are required to have the following:
Headlamp. Law requires that all motorcycles have at least one headlight that can project a beam of light 150 feet away. Your headlight should be working whenever you ride your motorcycle. Did you know there are few things more annoying to other road users than a headlight that is out?
Brake light. Every motorcycle built after January 1, 1976 must have a rear red brake light that is operating whenever you brake. This will be a lamp either built into the rear tail lamp assembly or a secondary lamp on the rear of your motorcycle. Brake lights are required to be red or amber in color, but the majority of rear brake lights will be red.
Taillight. Every motorcycle must have a working "taillight". Taillights are those lamps that work with your motorcycle brake light and just illuminate any time the headlight is on. They are commonly red in color. You would be surprised how many times I see motorcycles with taillights that appear to be burned out. If this happens on your motorcycle, the light will need to be replaced before you are spotting riding. If you cannot fix the problem with the lamp, it is likely all the wiring has corroded, come loose or is damaged.
Working turn signal lamps. There is no minimum number of working turn signal lamps required for a motorcycle, but I would consider fitting a minimum of two being the safest way to go. I think it is prudent to have an audible signal that working as well, which is the little "clicking" noise you hear when a turn signal is activated on your motorcycle. I believe these do wonders for getting the attention of distracted or inattentive road users. As an extra safety measure, I also teach people how to use their wrist to signal turning, lane changes and stopping. This is called hand and arm signals. They can’t hurt.
Mirrors. The requirement is that a motorcycle has one rearview mirror if the bike is sold after January 1, 1987, this needs to be on the left side of the handlebar or left side of the windscreen.
I have also noted that the following items are required to be on your motorcycle wherever you go:
- Noise emission device (exhaust). The noise emission control systems shall be maintained in all motorcycles, including mopeds. All noise emissions shall be within the following decibel levels (measured relative to the A-weighted sound level scale, except as specified): 86db
- Smog control equipment. Currently, this is the only state smog requirement imposed on motorcycles over 50cc. These rules are generally subject to change in the future.
- Unleaded fuel filler neck, or painted yellow and clearly marked for "UNLEADED GAS". This requirement is designed to prevent damaging catalytic converters that are fitted to many motorcycles.
- Fuel Shutoff (also known as petcock) if motorcycle is equipped with fuel shutoff. If the motorcycle is so equipped, it must be in proper working condition.
- Engine Stop Switch. This device is required to stop the engine quickly if needed. It must work properly so you can get off the motorcycle or call for assistance if you need to.
- Certification Label. A label that certifies that the motorcycle conforms to the U.S. EPA regulations must be in a place that is readily visible.
Motorists and motorcyclists alike are both equally capable of being careless, reckless and even malicious. Riders and drivers who don’t respect each other’s rights will continue to become seriously injured in motorcycle accidents on an ongoing basis.
Helmet Law and Other Safety Equipment Rules
In California, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear a DOT-approved helmet. These helmets must be capable of preventing or reducing serious head injuries in the event of an accident. Additionally, helmet visors must have at least a 32cm² area of clear plastic material of not less than 0.32 centimeter in thickness. And visors must either meet the American National Standards Institute specifications for eyewear, or be treated or tinted. Specific ANSI standards are set forth in the regulations under the CVC; among these standards are that – to be approved -an optical quality of 2 or better is required for treatment types I through III, and an optical quality of 3 is required for treatment type IV. Riders must also ensure that any eyewear worn under helmets meets the American National Standards Institute specifications for spectacles or goggles.
California Motorcycle Emissions Standards
Motorcycles are required to meet the California emissions requirements. They must be checked for proper exhaust emissions at their initial certification, following major modifications, and at the biennial Smog Check as part of the Department of Motor Vehicles registration procedure. Emissions testing must be performed with a properly functioning exhaust gas analyzer capable of measuring the emissions as required by California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations . Proper exhaust emissions sampling and analysis shall be performed only in accordance with all applicable manufacturer and CARB-approved test procedures. Any motorcycle reducing emissions below the required limits, without sacrificing performance, must be certified to the proper emissions standard and must maintain this configuration.
Motorbike Insurance Coverage
Motorcycles are notable for being cheaper to insure than cars, trucks and vans, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to carry coverage on your motorcycle. In fact, because the bare minimum liability requirements are lower than on four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycle owners must take extra care to ensure that they purchase enough coverage for their two-wheeled rides, and make sure that they carry proof of insurance with them while operating their bikes.
There are three types of mandatory motorcycle insurance that you must be careful to obtain, including:
As with all other vehicles in California, you must be able to cover costs associated with a bodily injury or death that you cause to another person, which is paid to the injured person (or their family) by the insurance company (up to the limit of the policy). It covers them for death, pain and suffering, lost wages, medical care, and other expenses related to their injuries. For motorcycles, the law requires you to carry at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 total per accident in bodily injury coverage. This means that if you have a passenger, you are covered for a combined maximum of $30,000.
Property damage liability covers any damage to property such as vehicles or residences surrounding the accident that is caused by you. For motorcycles, the law requires you to carry at least $5,000 in property damage coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for bodily injury when you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have any or enough insurance to pay for your damages. For motorcycles, the law requires you to carry at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 total per accident in uninsured motorist coverage.
Motorcycles are one of the cheapest vehicles to insure, especially if you choose Basic Liability only. The average annual insurance premium in California is just $337, as opposed to just under $900 for cars and trucks. Because motorcycles are more exposed to danger, and are thus more likely to be found culpable in an accident, insurance companies are less likely to go with the uninsured and underinsured policies for bikes — meaning that you will have to pay out of your own pocket if you get in an accident and don’t have coverage for all the damage. If you have minimum coverage, that amount is only $15,000.
Key Tips to Help Keep Your Motorcycle Legal
To help ensure ongoing compliance with California laws and requirements, motorcycle owners are encouraged to do the following: Be diligent in regular inspections that cover the bike’s exhaust system, grips, levers, handlebars, lights, and tires. Both headlight bulbs should function properly, as should tail and brake lights. Turn signals should also be functional, even when a bike is not required by law to be equipped with them. We urge all bike owners to remain aware of any new legislative changes that might affect the status of their motorcycles . Owners may wish to periodically check with the California DMV for such information, as well as seek guidance from reputable motorcycle dealers and licensed motorcycle mechanics. Any time an owner makes a change to a motorcycle (a new exhaust system or new handlebars, for example), it must be done with the utmost safety in mind. If you have any questions about current regulations, it would be a good idea to seek guidance from legal professionals.