Florida Motorcycle Helmet Laws
HELMETS REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDERS UP TO AGE 21 Must show proof of at least $10,000
medical coverage
316.211 Equipment for motorcycle and moped riders.-- Effective July 1, 2000
STATUTE:
(1) A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly
wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies
with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States
Department of Transportation. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
shall adopt this standard by agency rule.
(2) A person may not operate a motorcycle unless the person is wearing an eye-protective
device over his or her eyes of a type approved by the department.
(3) (a) This section does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab or
to any person 16 years of age or older who is operating or riding upon a motorcycle
powered by a motor with a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less or is rated
not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and which is not capable of propelling such
motorcycle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person over 21 years of age may operate or
ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon
his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at
least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while
operating or riding on a motorcycle.
(4) A person under 16 years of age may not operate or ride upon a moped unless the
person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her
head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated
by the United States Department of Transportation.
(5) The department shall make available a list of protective headgear approved in
this section, and the list shall be provided on request.
(6) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable
as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 1, ch. 85-329; s. 23, ch. 87-161;
s. 2, ch. 88-405; s. 321, ch. 95-148; ss. 4, 167, ch. 99-248.
MISCELLANEOUS MOTORCYCLE LAWS
State Funded Rider Education
Available for all eligible applicants.
Required under age 21.
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed.
May waive knowledge test for successful completion of rider ed.
Eye Protection
Required by law.
Daytime Use Of Headlight
Required by law.
Modulating headlight permitted.
Passenger Seat
Required if carrying a passenger.
Passenger Footrests
Required if carrying a passenger.
Mirror
Required by law.
65 MPH Speed Limit
In effect on designated rural interstate highways.
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