For the most part, Louisiana state law imposes the same rights and restrictions on motorcycle operators that it does on any other drivers on public roads. However, there are a few exceptions that are important for motorcyclists to be aware of, not only to stay out of legal trouble but also to reduce their risk of being seriously injured in a preventable accident.
This page discusses some of the important Lafayette motorcycle traffic laws you should know, whether you are a brand-new motorcycle owner or have ridden bikes for years. If you have been hurt in a wreck caused by a negligent or reckless driver, a skilled motorcycle injury attorney from Tomeny | Best can help you demand comprehensive compensation for the harm you have sustained.
Requirements for Obtaining a Motorcycle License
Perhaps the most significant difference between how motorcycle traffic and commuter car traffic are treated under the law in Lafayette is the licensing requirements for each type of vehicle. While both commuter car drivers and motorcycle riders must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit to drive on public roads in the Bayou State, motorcyclists must also have a motorcycle endorsement added to their state-issued license or permit.
As established under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:408, all motorcycle endorsement applicants must achieve a score of 80 percent or better on a motorcycle knowledge and skills test administered by the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles. Applicants must bring a helmet and the motorcycle they intend to ride regularly to the skills test. This motorcycle should have an up-to-date inspection sticker, a valid license plate, and insurance coverage sufficient to comply with state requirements.
Are Lane Splitting and Lane Sharing Legal?
In some states, motorcyclists may advance to the front of traffic jams or lines of cars stopped at red lights by riding on the lines between traffic lanes, a behavior known as “lane splitting” or sometimes “lane filtering.” In Lafayette, however, motorcycle traffic laws prohibit this kind of behavior, and both local and state police will stop and ticket any motorcyclist seen doing this.
It is legal, though, for motorcyclists to engage in “lane sharing,” which is riding alongside someone else within the same lane of traffic. More specifically, two consenting motorcyclists can ride abreast within a single traffic lane without violating state traffic law. However, motorcyclists must not ride three or more abreast within a single traffic lane, nor can they ride next to or overtake another type of vehicle without moving fully into an adjacent traffic lane first.
Contact a Lafayette Attorney for Questions About Motorcycle Traffic Laws
Motorcyclists are broadly subject to the same traffic rules and restrictions as other drivers, but that does not mean they have the same risk of injury as other people on public roads. Even if you precisely follow the Lafayette motorcycle traffic laws while riding, you may still become injured in a wreck caused by someone else’s misconduct.
Fortunately, you have support available from knowledgeable legal professionals who know how to fight effectively and efficiently on behalf of motorcycle riders. Call Tomeny | Best today to discuss your potential claim and learn what our team can do to help you seek fair financial recovery.
