Being a motorcyclist can be very dangerous, as suffering a fatal injury as a motorcyclist is much more common than suffering a fatal injury driving a car. A very common cause of motorcycle accidents is drivers breaking the Nevada traffic laws. If you want to become a motorcyclist in Nevada, there are specific laws that you must meet before driving a motorcycle on the road. Motorcyclists are required to have a class M license and wear a helmet that follows the Nevada motorcycle helmet standards. In Nevada in 2019, 51 motorcyclists lost their lives due to a fatal traffic accident.

Motorcycle Licensing

In some states, drivers with a standard driver’s license can take one test to receive a motorcycle endorsement. Legally in Nevada, you cannot operate a motorcycle without obtaining the correct license, a class M license, which can be added to your current driver’s license. To receive a class M license, you must either enroll in an approved motorcycle course and pass the course, or you can request a written and skills motorcycle test with the Nevada DMV. If you are under the age of 18 attempting to obtain a class M license, you must follow the additional requirements:

• Show proof of school attendance.
• Complete driver’s education.
• Pass a vision and knowledge test.
• Receive a learner’s permit.
• Show proof of 50 completed hours driving with a licensed driver that is at least 21 years old.
• Finally, pass a driving skills test.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

According to the Nevada Law NRS 486.231, all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet at all times. If there is no windshield on the motorcycle, protective eyewear and face masks are required. The other important motorcycle helmet safety laws include:

• Passengers of three-wheeled motorcycles must wear protective eye and face gear, unless the motorcycle has an enclosed cab.
• While riding on a highway, all motorcycle passengers must wear securely fastened helmets, and protective eye and face gear if there is no windshield on the motorcycle.
• If the motorcycle is participating in an authorized parade, motorcyclists and passengers are not required to wear protective clothing and gear. 

Required Motorcycle Equipment

A motorcycle must meet all state and local requirements of specific equipment in order to be legally drivable on public roads. A motorcycle must be safe and have proper equipment, such as at least one headlight, electric turn signals, front and back fenders, front and rear brakes, a working horn, a muffler, one rearview mirror per handlebar, a visible rear reflector, visible red tail light, and a brake light that is clearly visible. If you are a motorcycle owner, it is essential that you maintain your vehicle in proper conditions to keep you and other drivers on the road safe. Maintaining poor motorcycle conditions can be very dangerous, as faulty parts may malfunction or break down, resulting in a potentially very dangerous scenario as a motorcyclist. 

Lane-Splitting Law

As a motorcyclist, you have the right to use an entire lane of traffic, on standard roads and the highway. However, a motorcyclist is legally allowed to share the lane with another motorcyclist, but not another motor vehicle. It is against the Nevada law for a motorcyclist to ride between two separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. This action is called lane-splitting, and it can be extremely dangerous for the motorcyclist, as they are tightly in between two different vehicles. Even if there is surrounding traffic and vehicles are stopped, it is still illegal to drive between two lanes going the same direction. 

The Nevada Laws for motorcyclists can seem very strict for some motorcyclists, although it is just to keep everyone on the road safe. There have been many fatal motorcycle accidents, and it is important that all motorcyclists and passengers keep their motorcycles properly maintained and follow the proper Nevada traffic laws. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important you hire a trusted legal team to help assist you. At Richard Harris Law Firm, our attorneys have had years of experience dealing with cases dealing with motorcycle accidents, and are more than willing to aggressively fight the case by your side to ensure proper compensation.